Predators Foundation Board Member -- and Country Music Legend -- Barbara Mandrell was was honored as part of the dedication ceremonies for the Nashville Music Garden, the first public garden to honor country entertainment icons.

photo gallery

The inaugural class contains over three dozen new roses and daylilies named in order to honor these entertainers. Situated at the corner of Fourth Avenue and Demonbreun Street in downtown Nashville, the unique “Garden of the Stars” pays tribute to the artists, songwriters, authors, television personalities, industry leaders, and icons who have made a positive impact on Nashville’s entertainment community.

“I’m really thrilled to pieces over the Nashville Music Garden dedication today because it just fills my heart with all the right feelings; it’s so good and positive. It could not be in a better location: perfect place, in the perfect city, with the perfect people,” Mandrell said.

The garden -- which sits with the Country Music Hall of Fame on one side and, the Sommet Center, home of the Nashville Predators, on the other -- is a location in the city which she holds near to her heart.

Since the Predators came to Nashville in 1998 Mandrell has been very passionate about the position she holds on Predators Foundation Board of Directors.

“My husband and I prayed for over 20 years that Nashville would get an NHL team,” Mandrell started to explain. “We just thank God for the Predators.”

Being a fan of the game and a hockey mom herself (both of her sons play), Mandrell wanted to be a part of what positive things the Predators were going to bring to this city.

“I’ve served on the board of the Predators Foundation ever since we got our guys. Like I stated, we had prayed so long for this, what else would I want to do but to ask them to allow me to participate in all the goodness they want to do for this community that I love so dearly.”

Predators Foundation President Gerry Helper has been overwhelmed by the role Mandrell has taken on, "Barbara really makes a huge contribution in terms of helping us raising money that ultimately goes back into the Nashville community through all the youth oriented charities we support. She is so enthusiastic and intent on doing the right things to help those who are less fortunate; she's been as pleasure to have on the board."

Mandrell went on to voice, “I don’t think people really realize what a huge amount of things the Foundation does for very worthwhile causes. We do everything we can, that is why we come up with every way to raise money for the foundation to help where it is so needed.”

Once talking about the Preds Foundation, anyone could see in Mandrell’s face this is a part of her life that means a lot to her. She talked about how proud she was to see not only what the Foundation was able to do for the city but how the players on the team each had their own positive impact in Nashville; not just with "hockey themed" events, but with educational and cultural events like the Music Garden dedication.

“It’s our players, always through the years, even when there were changes happening, it’s always a beautiful thing to see. They are really, really wonderful people. I have always been so proud to think of the way the Preds represent us as people, as well as their great athleticism, but as people how they represent Nashville. We should all be greatly thankful.”