Music MInute - Minnie at the Mansion (2/22, Nashville)

 

An unforgettable afternoon honoring one of country music’s most beloved icons is just days away — and tickets are going fast. Historic Two Rivers Mansion will host “Minnie at the Mansion” on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, from 2–4 p.m. at the landmark estate in Donelson, TN. This one-time event celebrates the enduring legacy of Minnie Pearl, the Country Music Hall of Fame treasure whose humor and heart helped define American country entertainment. Guests will enjoy an afternoon with Minnie as local actress Jenny Littleton brings the beloved character to life in a spirited performance of “The News from Grinder’s Switch,” accompanied by live music from noted musician Paul Carrol Binkley. The program also features a special book presentation and Q&A with award-winning authors Mary Ellen Pethel and Don Cusic, co-authors of Howdy! The Minnie Pearl Story. Following the discussion, guests will have the opportunity for a book signing with the authors. Held in the elegantly restored parlor room of the mansion, the event also includes light munchies and a guided tour of Historic Two Rivers Mansion, offering attendees a rare chance to experience both Nashville history and country music heritage in one memorable setting. Tickets are $35 per person, or $30 for Friends of Two Rivers, and include admission plus a copy of Howdy! The Minnie Pearl Story. Children’s tickets are $15. With limited capacity and strong demand, advance purchase is strongly encouraged — tickets remain available but are selling quickly.

When You Go: Who: Friends of Two Rivers presents authors Mary Ellen Pethel and Don Cusic; performance by Jenny Littleton; music by Paul Carrol Binkley What: “Minnie At The Mansion” book presentation, performance & live music event Where: Two Rivers Mansion, 3130 McGavock Pike, Nashville, TN 37214 When: Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026 — 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Price: Adults $35 ($30 for Friends of Two Rivers members) including book; Kids $15 (12 and under?)

About Two Rivers Mansion With a recently-completed $4.5 million renovation, Two Rivers Mansion is a historic antebellum home built in 1859 and one of Middle Tennessee’s finest examples of Italianate architecture, nestled between the Stones and Cumberland Rivers. Once the centerpiece of an 1,100-acre plantation, the home remained in the McGavock family for three generations before being acquired by the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the mansion is preserved and promoted by the Friends of Two Rivers and hosts special events and private functions.

About Mary Ellen Pethel Dr. Mary Ellen Pethel is an associate professor and academic leader at Belmont University Where she directs interdisciplinary initiatives, including the Global Honors Program. An award-winning author of six books on education, women, and sports, including the book Title IX, Pat Summitt, and Tennessee's Trailblazers. A public historian, she served as a consultant and cast member for the documentary, Facing the Laughter: Minnie Pearl. Dr. Pethel also founded and leads Nashville Sites as Executive Director and serves as an archivist at Harpeth Hall School.

About Don Cusic Dr. Don Cusic is an award-winning American author, songwriter, and record producer widely recognized as a leading historian of U.S. popular music. He has authored more than 30 books—primarily on country music—including acclaimed biographies of Eddy Arnold, Roger Miller, Merle Haggard, and Gene Autry, as well as Chet Atkins: Mr. Guitar. Dr. Cusic serves as a special correspondent for Billboard, a book reviewer for MusicRow Magazine, and an editor for Record Worldand Cashbox, and has consulted on Ken Burns’ documentary series Country Music. He is the Curb Professor of Music Industry History at Belmont University, has contributed extensively to liner notes and reference works, and has been honored with induction into the Western Music Association Hall of Fame (2022) and the Colonel Aide-de-Camp Award (2025).

About Paul Carrol Binkley Paul Carrol Binkley is a musician, composer and guitarist whose musical background spans classical training and varied performance settings. He has studied and performed extensively, combining technical skill with artistic versatility to accompany theatrical and live music events.

About Jenny Littleton Jenny Littleton is a Nashville-area actor and performer known for her work in local theatre and community productions. In this event, she performs the iconic persona of Minnie Pearl in a special presentation celebrating the life and humor of the beloved country music legend.