Who's Nashville Log Home Is That On CMT's 'Gone Country'?

Written by Lynnette on January 26, 2008 | Comments (1)

If you caught the first episode of Gone Country last night (it's a new reality TV series on CMT that follows 7 celebrities as they try to make their break in the Country music industry), then you may be wondering whose log home that is and where it's located.

It's definitely a looker...

Jim and I were at the final taping of Gone Country back in October, and we've wondered ever since which house the celebs stayed in while the filming was taking place in Nashville.

But it wasn't until we saw the first show on CMT last night that we noticed the big "JR" on the front door handles to this mansion. Of course, that stands for John Rich. So it must be his house... Right?

Not so fast. As it turns out, there's an interesting story to this particular log home that's located in Nashville, Tennessee.

Here's the scoop...

The Fontanel Mansion

This one-of-a-kind log home is part of Barbara Mandrell's former estate.

The property, which includes a 27,000-square-foot log home, was used extensively during the production of the new CMT reality series, Gone Country, hosted by John Rich of Big & Rich." Source

Barbara Mandrell's Fontanel Mansion is located in the White Creek area, just north of Nashville.

Word is, after her two eldest children left home, Barbara was ready to downsize to a 7,000-square-foot home located outside Nashville, Tennessee.

See pictures of Barbara Mandrell's log home estate.

What's The Tie Between John Rich & Barbara Mandrell?

If you're like me, you're probably wondering how this particular house came to be the setting for "Gone Country". Did John Rich buy the house from Barbara Mandrell?

Well... Dale Morris and Marc Oswald, who co-manage Big & Rich, purchased the 136-acre property for $2.1 million in 2002. (Barbara was hoping to get $7 million.)

Eventually, the log home is expected to be sold separately from the remainder of the property which will become an upscale subdivision.

Tower Land Co. plans to market the mansion and nine surrounding lots as a low-impact, private rural community on the 136 acres of rolling countryside." Source

More About This Log Home:

It was once the largest log home in America with 18 rooms, six bedrooms, an indoor pool and spa and formal dining room for more than 20 guests. Source

Barbara Mandrell's Nashville log home, Fontanel, isn't a cozy retreat in the middle of the woods. It's a self-contained resort complete with a helicopter pad, indoor pool, theater, ten-seat hot tub, 12-line phone system and indoor shooting range." Source

About John Rich's House

In case you're wondering...

Here is John Rich's house in Nashville. (Or at least his proposed house, anyway.) And check out this video featuring John Rich's proposed glass house. It's located on Love Circle near West End.

As stated in the video (above), the neighbors aren't happy. Now see what they're saying about John's house on the Muzik Mafia discussion board (6 pages... and counting!).