Country star Louise Mandrell joins Rowan performers for holiday concert

The holiday season gets a musical welcome at Rowan University with country music star Louise Mandrell joining several student ensembles for “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year” on Saturday, December 8, 2012, at 7 pm in Pfleeger Concert Hall. The concert is a benefit in support of the Marie Rader Fund at Rowan University, which works to bring quality arts programming to southern New Jersey communities.

Mandrell headlines this evening of seasonal musical favorites, along with Rowan’s Concert Choir and Wind Ensemble, as well as the university’s men’s and women’s choruses. An added treat is an appearance by the West Deptford Middle School chorus.

A multi-talented performer whose career has spanned nearly four decades, Mandrell was born into a musical family in Corpus Christi, Texas, (her parents owned a music store and she, along with sisters Barbara and Irlene, developed an affinity for musical instruments at an early age). She went on to master multiple instruments such as the drums, accordion, fiddle and bass guitar, just to name a few. Early on, she sang and played bass for sister Barbara’s band, the Do-Rites, before working with the legendary Merle Haggard as a vocalist on stage and in the studio. As a solo artist she signed her first recording contract in 1978, and released a string of hit singles, including the country version of Peaches & Herb’s “Reunited” with then-husband R.C. Bannon. She became a television variety star in 1981 with the debut of the long-running “Barbara Mandrell and the Mandrell Sisters,” while continuing to expand her own discography with such Top 10 country hits as “I’m Not Through Loving You Yet,” “Maybe My Baby,” “Save Me” and “Too Hot To Sleep.” She’s made numerous television appearances over the years; headlined her own signature theater in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, for nearly a decade; given her time, talent and name to a wide range of causes, including the Louise Mandrell Celebrity Shoot television specials which raised more than $1 million for charity; and continues to perform around the world.

The concert takes place in Pfleeger Concert Hall, located in Wilson Hall on the campus of Rowan University, Route 322 in Glassboro. Tickets are $25, general admission; and $15 for children 17 and under. Special concert & post-show reception tickets are $50. Tickets are available by calling 856-256-4545 or visiting rowan.tix.com. For additional information, email arts@rowan.edu.

For information about the Marie Rader Memorial Fund for the College of Performing Arts at Rowan University, contact Kathy Rozanski at rozanski@rowan.edu or 856-256-5405.