Get to the Heart: The Barbara Mandrell Story

While helping her father in a Texas music store, Barbara Mandrell gives an impromptu steel guitar performance that catches the eye of country guitarist Joe Maphis. Maphis invites her to perform in his Las Vegas and Los Angeles shows, offering an early peek at professional life.

The relentless travel of show business proves too much for her parents and younger sisters, forcing a pause in their family life. Mandrell continues performing locally with her family's band, keeping the dream alive while the road calls less loudly.

Mandrell falls in love with the band's drummer Ken Dudney, but Irby disapproves because of their age difference. Dudney enlists in the U.S. Navy, adding distance and complexity to the couple's relationship.

Irby eventually accepts the relationship, and Barbara and Ken marry in 1967. They move to a Navy base on Whidbey Island, Washington, where Mandrell plans to settle down and step away from performing.

During a deployment, the couple visits the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, where Barbara realizes she still loves performing. She resolves to pursue her dream of making it in the music industry.

With Irby serving as manager, Mandrell begins performing in local Nashville nightclubs, building her reputation. A record executive notices her, leading to a signing with a major label.

Barbara and Ken discover they are expecting their first child, Matthew. Ken leaves the Navy to support Barbara on the road as her career begins to take off.

Backed by her family, Mandrell tours the country and racks up a string of hit singles throughout the 1970s. Her growing success cements her status as one of country music's rising stars.

While in the middle of a tour, Irby suffers a heart attack and urges Barbara not to pause her career for him. She presses on, balancing demanding schedules with her family life and aspirations.

Barbara and Ken welcome their second child, Jaime, as she becomes one of the era's biggest stars. In 1980 she wins the Country Music Association Award for Entertainer of the Year, cementing her peak stardom.

The family moves to California after her 1980 success, where Mandrell lands her own network television show. Despite some pushback from executives, the show proves a ratings hit and raises her national profile.

The hectic schedule strains family life and Mandrell's health begins to suffer from overwork. Dudney urges her to quit the show to focus on her health and family.

In 1984, during a break from touring, Mandrell and her children are involved in a car accident. She survives with head trauma that leads to memory loss and mood swings, leaving her reclusive and vulnerable to media speculation.

Following an intervention by Dudney, Mandrell confronts the distance she has put between herself and her loved ones and begins to repair those relationships. The couple welcomes their third child, Nathan, soon after.

Encouraged by her family, she returns to performing with renewed strength, culminating in a big comeback show in Los Angeles.