The Cumberland County Jets football team and booster club was seeking a way to raise funding for new equipment.
Jets Assistant Coach Elbert Farley said he decided the best way to raise these funds was to support a benefit concert with Crossville native Grand Ole Opry member Mandy Barnett as the headliner.
“She was gracious enough to put this show on to help benefit the Cumberland County High School Jet football team and through the Jet Booster Club,” said Farley.
Barnett is donating her time and talents to support her alma mater school and the football team.
“She’s been so gracious and so good to work with so far,” said Farley. “Everything that she’s asked … and what she’s asked of us, we’ve tried to knock it out of the park.”
Barnett is a 1993 graduate of Cumberland County High School. She has performed numerous times at the Cumberland County Playhouse.
The concert will be July 18 at 6:30 p.m. in the Cumberland County Auditorium.
The show will be 90 minutes with a short intermission.
According to a Cumberland Now feature on Barnett in 2024, she specializes in singing country classics from the 1940s, ‘50s and ‘60s, as well as jazz music from artists such as Billie Holiday and pop artists such as Linda Ronstadt.
Farley said Barnett may also sing some original songs. The set list for the concert was not available as of press time.
Cumberland County football team is selling tickets to Barnett’s concert online at https://cchsjetsboostersmandybarnett.eventbrite.com.
Tickets are also being sold in person at the Central Services office at 368 Fourth St. in Crossville from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Ticket prices range from $25 to $45 based on seats in the auditorium.
There will be handicap accessible seating in the front and back of the building.
There are approximately 1,220 seats in the Jets auditorium, and Farley said the football team is hoping to sell out the facility that night.
“We’re hoping to sell out for Mandy,” said Farley.
“I want people to understand it is helping CCHS Jet Football, but it’s really a Mandy thing. We really want to show out for her.”
For more information, contact Farley at farleye@ccschools.k12tn.net or call 931-484-6135.