NASHVILLE, Tenn. (October 12, 2009)—Country singer Barbara Mandrell has been honored with a gospel music award.

She was presented with the James D. Vaughn "Impact Award" at the Southern Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in Dollywood.

A spokesman for the group said, "Mandrell persuaded the NBC executives to give her a chance to close 'Barbara Mandrell and the Mandrell Sisters' television show with gospel music. It was a hit and 40 million viewers saw gospel music each week."

The Mandrell musical variety show ran for two years, from 1980 through '82.

Mandrell pulled the plug on the show because it was too exhausting to do week after week on top of performing concerts.