“When Country Wasn’t Cool” by Reba McEntire and Barbara Mandrell

With several decades of country hits, The voice‘s Reba McEntire exudes country pride in everything she does. The Oklahoma native grew up around rodeos and cowboy boots and has nothing but love for her country beginnings before she hit the big time.

McEntire has become a pillar of the country music industry and yet has managed to stay grounded throughout her sprawling career. It helps that The voice Coach enjoys every opportunity to rock a country set.

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In honor of the Grand Ole Opry’s 70th anniversary in 1996, McEntire teamed up with country legend Barbara Mandrell for a powerful performance of Mandrell’s 1981 hit “I Was Country When Country Wast Cool,” and it was a real highlight.

Check out Reba McEntire and Barbara Mandrell’s iconic set here.

The duet “I Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool” by Reba McEntire and Barbara Mandrell from 1996

If there’s anyone who loves singing with other powerful country artists, it’s Reba McEntire – which made her the perfect choice when Mandrell took the stage at the Ryman Auditorium for a live performance of her ’80s hit “I Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool.”

“Girl, I’m so happy to be here with you at the Ryman,” Mandrell mused before the performance. “I love you so much and this is the first time. I’ve always wanted us to do something together; this is the first time.”

“It is,” agreed McEntire. “And I’m really glad to be singing on the stage of the Ryman Auditorium for the first time, with You.”

“That’s your… are you serious?” asked Mandrell.

“Yes,” McEntire confirmed. “I’m not kidding!” Until Mandrell’s performance in 1996, McEntire had never performed at the Ryman Auditorium, home of the Grand Ole Opry until 1974.

“I love this!” enthused Mandrell.

“Yes, with Barbara Mandrell!” McEntire shouted happily as the band started playing.

Mandrell and McEntire’s voices are a match made in heaven, providing a perfect sonic synergy for the country duet. Mandrell and McEntire are western vocal sirens and brought soul and fun during their stirring performance of “I Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool.”

The song’s lyrics – which revolve entirely around the singers’ unabashed pride in their country roots – served as a fun launching pad for some sweet moments together, reminiscing about “putting peanuts in their Coke,” “wearing straight-cut Levis,” and other nostalgic moments.

About halfway through the performance, Mandrell pointed to the balcony seat she sat in on her very first visit to the iconic venue. McEntire then revealed that she had snagged a seat under the balcony on her first visit, which made Mandrell giggle before they started the angelic singing again.

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McEntire and Mandrell’s vocals were at their best throughout the set, and they upped the ante on the final chorus as the pair belted out the last note with expert precision. After singing the final lyric, “I was country when country wasn’t cool yet” Mandrell added cheekily, “that’s who we were, that’s who we are and that’s who we always will be.”

“We’ve come a long way, baby!” McEntire cheered as the two exchanged pleasantries after the performance.

What you should know about “I was country when country wasn’t cool”

Barbara Mandrell released “I Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool” in 1981 as a track on her live album of the same name.

The anthem, produced by Tom Collins and co-written by Kye Fleming and Dennis Morgan, reached number 1 on Billboard‘s Hot Country Singles and stayed on the charts for 13 weeks.

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