Barbara Mandrell: Wedding Planner, Sky Diver

10/25/2007 Stephen L. Betts In the 10 years since Barbara Mandrell officially retired with a farewell show from the Grand Ole Opry House stage, she’s kept incredibly busy at home in Nashville as gardener, housewife, and wedding planner for her son. She's also jumped out of a plane with the Golden Knights, sold her Nashville mansion, was honored by the American Legion with a Lifetime Achievement Award, and has received the coveted Pioneer Award from the Academy of Country Music. Last year, She Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool: A Tribute to Barbara Mandrell, featuring Kenny Chesney, Reba McEntire, Brad Paisley, and Dierks Bentley, among others, was released. On Nov. 5, Barbara Mandrell will be inducted into the Music City Walk of Fame, beginning at 3 p.m. in the Hall of Fame Park in downtown Nashville (between 4th and 5th Aves. South). Fellow inductees include Rodney Crowell, songwriter Bob DiPiero, Vince Gill, Jimi Hendrix and Buddy Killen. The induction ceremony, which is sponsored by Great American Country (GAC), is free and open to the public.