Dolly was honored in November of 2009 with a star on the Music City Walk of Fame. The Music City Walk of Fame is located on Nashville’s Music Mile in front of the Country Music Hall of Fame. Dolly was honored along with Charlie Daniels and Kid Rock at the ceremony and joined over 40 other Nashville-related music legends already on the walk.
After saying great things about the other nominees Dolly mentioned that Nashville has a special place in country music history and in her heart,
"It strikes me in a pure place in my heart and in my soul to know that I am part of this wonderful city and all of the wonderful things that have been here.”
Dollywood took home its first trophy for Best Shows and claimed a second consecutive win for Best Christmas Event at the 2009 Golden Ticket Awards. The ceremony was held on Sept. 10, 2009, at LEGOLAND California in Carlsbad, Ca.
Dollywood was a finalist in four additional categories, taking third place honors for Friendliest Park and Cleanest Park. It earned fourth place honors for Best Food and Best Water Ride for the Mountain Slidewinder. Dollywood’s Thunderhead, twice named the number one wooden coaster in the world, placed fifth in the rankings of Top 50 Wooden Roller Coasters in the World.
On May 8, 2009, Dolly was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Tennessee in, Knoxville. She received only the second honorary doctorate ever awarded by the school in Humane and Musical letters.
At the graduation ceremony, Dolly performed a version of the school’s unofficial fight song "Rocky Top" and a version of her own song "Try."
University of Tennessee Chancellor Jimmy G. Cheek said,
"Ms. Parton is uniquely distinguished and qualified to receive the highest honor we as a university can offer to a member of the public... Because of her career not just as a musician and entertainer, but for her role as a cultural ambassador, philanthropist and lifelong advocate for education, it is fitting that she be honored with an honorary degree from the flagship educational institution of her home state.”
Dolly was flattered by the award.
“It is an incredible honor for me to receive this degree from a prestigious university like UT. I’ve been a Volunteer all my life and entertained folks around the world with ‘Rocky Top’... Seriously, education and the arts are very important to me, and this degree is something that makes me and would have made my parents very proud.”
Dolly delivered the commencement speech for the 2009 graduating class at the University of Tennessee Knoxville, infusing it with some of her famous humor.
“Now, I usually try not to give advice. Information, yes, advice, no. But, what has worked for me may not work for you. Well, take for instance what has worked for me. Wigs. Tight clothes, push up bras, and high heel shoes.”
As part of the ceremonies, Dolly sang a version of the university’s unofficial fight song "Rocky Top," and a version of her song "Try." Dolly received an honorary doctorate of humane and musical letters, only the second bestowed in the university’s history.
Dolly is proud of her Tennessee Mountain Home, so when officials from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) asked her to serve as the park’s celebrity ambassador during its 75th anniversary, she answered with a resounding YES! Dolly said,
"Having grown up and lived in the heart of these beautiful mountains, my love for this area is deep and genuine. The mountains have inspired so much of my music, and through my songs, I’ve always been sort of an unofficial ambassador for Great Smoky Mountains National Park. I’m truly honored to join this yearlong celebration."
To commemorate the Great Smoky Mountains National Park 75th anniversary, Dollywood unveiled a new show, "Sha-Kon-O-Hey!." The 45-minute musical production incorporated scenic elements and stage effects never before seen at Dollywood. "Sha-Kon-O-Hey!" captured the spirit of the mountains and the rich heritage of the people who call them home. The title, Sha-Kon-O-Hey is the phonetic spelling of "Shaconage," the Cherokee word which means "land of the blue smoke."
