A 27,000 square foot log cabin that was home to Barbara Mandrell and her family for more than a decade that is now owned by two renowned Nashville music producers….The former home of country legend Conway Twitty that sits in the midst of a faith-based television network…The sprawling complex owned by Loretta Lynn that includes her former and current home, as well as museums and a camp ground.
These are three unique attractions in Middle Tennessee that are open for tours, allowing country music fans to get an up close and personal glimpse into the lives of three legendary country stars.
Fontanel Mansion, home of country music star Barbara Mandrell from 1988 to 2002, is now owned by two Nashville managers (Dale Morris and Marc Oswald). It has also been featured in the television series, “Gone Country,” as the home-base for the contestants.
The 27,000 square foot log cabin has six bedrooms, five fireplaces, a soda fountain room, theater and indoor shooting range (that still has the marks from when Hank Williams Jr. and Kid Rock shot at the walls after a late-night party hosted by the current owners). A narrated tour of the home gives interesting facts about when Barbara and her husband their three children lived in the home. Several concerts are held on the grounds of the 136-acre site.
Construction began in 1987 with 42 log trucks used to bring logs to the home that would be the largest log home in the world. The home was built in Montana, taken apart and delivered to Tennessee to be put back together.
The home is grand in size but still has the feeling of a home with personalized touches of the Mandrell family still in place. The Mandrells lived in the home until the children left the home and Barbara and her husband decided to downsize and move to West Nashville. The home has a lot of history for the Mandrells, including when Barbara and Ken renewed the wedding vows on their 25th anniversary in front of one of the fireplaces.
Some of the famous guests to the Mandrell home included Bob Hope and Jackie Kennedy, who had meals in the mansion, and Oprah Winfrey, who taped an episode of her show cooking in the kitchen with Barbara.
A special treat for visitors to Fontanel Mansion is the singing tour guides, including Steven Whitson, who shared several of Mandrell’s hits during a recent tour of the home.
The grounds include The Farmhouse Restaurant, where Southern cuisine is served. The fried chicken is amazing. There is also a retail shop and Woods Amphitheater, which seats 5,000 at the 14 concerts planned each year. The complex also includes Studio Gallery where music is presented, including blues, jazz and country music. A Music City Christmas show is planned this coming holiday season.
TRINITY MUSIC CITY
Trinity Music City in Hendersonville, includes the home of the late Conway Twitty, as well as headquarters for Trinity Broadcasting Network, the world’s largest religious network. The grounds include the church auditorium, and television and recording studios.
Conway Twitty’s Southern-style home was built in 1981. His son, Michael, was married at the home. Tapings of the TMC are sometimes done downstairs at the mansion. Featured performers stay upstairs.
The main church auditorium, which is the former home of the CMT studios, is on the property and is where television specials are taped. They are open to the public at no charge. Lifepointe Church also meets in the auditorium 11 a.m. on Sundays and the services are open to the public.
During the holidays at Trinity Music City, 1 million sparkling lights will be in place, and there will be special music, storytellers and puppets. Conway’s home will be filled with Christmas trees and other holiday decorations.
While in the area of Trinity Music City, make a stop at Hendersonville Memory Gardens in Hendersonville, Tenn., where you will find the burial sites of Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash.
LORETTA LYNN RANCH
Loretta Lynn’s Ranch in Hurricane Mills is a fun stop where you can tour the Coal Miner’s Daughter Museum, Frontier Homestead, Grist Mill Museum and Lynn’s long-time home, as well as catching a glimpse of her current home located on the property. There are campsites, cabin rentals, a concert site and several gift shops, including one where every item is autographed by Lynn. There is so much to see on the complex that you could spend the day or even the weekend exploring it all. It’s a great stop for Loretta Lynn fans and country music lovers.
In 1966, Loretta and Mooney bought the property after discovering it while out on a Sunday drive. They bought the 3,500-acre farm in 1966. Now, the property is 6,500 acres, after the Lynns purchased three adjoining farms.
The property has lots of outdoor activities, including kayak rentals, horseback riding, paddle boats and fishing. In August, the national motorcross championships are held on the property.
Visitors can tour a replica of the Butcher Holler home where Loretta grew up, as well as the coal mine where her father worked. The home Loretta lived in from 1966 to 1988 is open for tours. The 1850 plantation was used by union troops as its headquarters and as a hospital. In 1988, Loretta opened the home to fans and moved into a smaller ranch-style home near the main house.
For more information on visiting Tennessee, go to www.tnvacation.com or call the toll free number, 1-800-462-8366.
