Best-Selling Authors and Singers Serene and Pearl to Host

[Scully]

Best-Selling Authors and Singers Serene and Pearl to Host
All-Star Spectacular "A Welby Street Christmas" at the Franklin Theatre on Friday, December 9
Attachment Deleted
Holiday Concert Event to Feature Mary Sarah, Jeneve Rose Mitchell, Jimmy Wayne, Jeff Bates and Sherrie Austin

Serene and Pearl, New York Times' best-selling authors of the very successful Trim Healthy Mama book series will host and perform in concert along with an all-star cast of musical luminaries at "A Welby Street Christmas" at the historic Franklin Theatre, on Friday, December 9. Doors open at 7:00 PM and the show starts at 8:00 PM.


The Christmas spectacular will feature "America's Sweetheart," Mary Sarah, from The Voice, the authentic singing cowgirl and 2016 Finalist from American Idol, Jeneve Rose Mitchell, best-selling author and recording artist, Jimmy Wayne, along with acclaimed Nashville singer/songwriter and actress, Sherrie Austin and chart-topping singer/songwriter, Jeff Bates.



Tickets for "A Welby Street Christmas" are available at a very special holiday price of $20 - $30, and can be purchased at tinyurl.com/gqdvz9a , or at the Franklin Theatre box office.



Dec 9th marks the kick-off weekend of historic Downtown Franklin's "Dickens of a Christmas" celebration. It's a magical time in the city, and the opportunity to experience some of today's most unique voices joined together in story and song in an intimate setting that only the Franklin Theatre can provide. This special event is also being recorded for TV, cable and internet broadcast.



"We grew up in Australia within a large, boisterous and musical family. We now live in Franklin, and what a way to celebrate the season by getting together with friends and family to celebrate Christmas," states Serene. Pearl adds, "Christmas time, and the music, were always such a magical time for our family, and we grew up on Welby Street...hence the name. It will be a celebration of the 'old time' Christmas vibe of family storytelling and song."



Serene Allison and Pearl Barrett are sisters who share a passion for healthy eating. Together they created the "Trim Healthy Mama" movement, successfully self-publishing the popular original Trim Healthy Mama book in 2013, which became a New York Times bestseller. Sept 2015 saw two more best-selling books released thru Harmony/Random House Publishing. Welby Street is also the name of the girl's publishing company that produces the Trim Healthy Mama branded eating and lifestyle books, video and radio content.



Prior to becoming best-selling authors, Serene and Pearl were signed to Nashville's Forefront Records in the 90's as Christian music artists and they will debut two very special new Christmas songs during the concert.



On her national album debut Bridges, 20-year-old singer/songwriter Mary Sarah made history when she recorded a stunning album of duets with some of country music's biggest names. Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Vince Gill, the Oak Ridge Boys, and the late Ray Price, all signed on to sing with Mary Sarah on their most iconic hits, which received critical acclaim from The Associated Press, the New York Times, and other outlets. Mary Sarah's most recent national spotlight was on NBC's The Voice where she finished in the #5 place competing on #TeamBlake on Season 10 in 2016.



As one of the top 14 contestants in this year's 2016 final season of American Idol, Jeneve Rose Mitchell has captured the hearts of America. Her performances across the United States have established her reputation as a true authentic singing cowgirl. Even before American Idol, Mitchell was making a name for herself, by winning the Western Music Association's "Best Harmony Duo" award at age13, and was recently awarded the WMA's "Best New Artist of 2016." Singing and playing the fiddle since she was a toddler, she now plays an array of stringed instruments (12 in all), which combined with her voice creates an entertaining, refreshing and unique style. She recently signed on to the brand new Nashville based music platform www.bandtwango.com where she is planning her first true album release, scheduled for 2017, which is being funded by her fans.



Jimmy Wayne is a former foster kid-turned-country music singer/songwriter whose songs, story, and walk halfway across America in 2010 continues to help bring awareness to kids who age out of the foster system and become homeless. He earned the prestigious "Million-Air Award" for one million radio spins of his song "Do You Believe Me Now." He is the author of Walk to Beautiful, his three-time New York Times best-selling memoir, and the author of the novel and made-for-TV movie Paper Angels.



Fellow Australian Sherrié Austin moved to the United States as a teenager and landed a role on The Facts of Life television series as "Pippa McKenna" and also guest-starred in The Prince of Bel-Air. Austin signed her first record deal shortly after moving to Nashville and released her solo debut album, Words, in 1997. "Lucky in Love," "One Solitary Tear" and "Put Your Heart Into It" all charted within the Top 40. Love in the Real World followed in 1999, which included "Never Been Kissed" and "Little Bird." In 2005, Austin headed to Broadway and was cast in both Bonnie & Clyde and Ring of Fire - the Johnny Cash Musical Show. Back in Nashville, she continued to earn cuts from her country music peers: Trace Adkins ("If I Were a Woman," featuring Blake Shelton), Tim McGraw featuring Faith Hill ("Shotgun Rider"), Blake Shelton ("Startin' Fires") and George Strait ("Where Have I Been All My Life"), among others. In 2011, she returned to television as a main cast member in Girls Who Like Boys Who Like Boys.



Jeff Bates' voice has been described as "a mix of Barry White, Elvis Presley and Otis Redding." Signed to RCA Records in 2002, Bates released his debut album Rainbow Man in 2003. A second album, Leave the Light On was released in 2005. These albums accounted for seven singles on the Billboard country charts, of which three reached Top 40, including "The Love Song," "I Wanna Make You Cry" and "Long, Slow Kisses" at No. 17. The album, Jeff Bates was released on independent Black River Entertainment in 2008.