Award-winning bluegrass artists Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder and Dailey & Vincent headlined Dollywood’s festival. These great acts shared the stage with the mouth-watering barbeque made fresh at the park. Dolly said,
“Who better than Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder to get my Barbeque & Bluegrass festival started! I have a truly special love for bluegrass music, and I’ve invited the very best pickers and singers to perform this year. Having had the privilege to sing with so many of ‘em, I know what a musical treat this is going to be.”
Dolly's said that everybody knows she loves bluegrass music.
“That’s why I’m so very proud to bring my Barbeque & Bluegrass Festival back this year. We’ve got fine pickers and mighty fine barbecue to spice things up, too! I realized Dollywood fans have a real hunger for bluegrass music and great tastin' barbeque. Since I aim to please, I'm proud to say Barbeque & Bluegrass is back and better than ever at Dollywood."
The festival returned to Dollywood Aug. 19 through Sept. 5 and featured big names like Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder, J.D. Crowe & The New South and Riders In The Sky.
Dollywood's 20th-anniversary season introduced a new National Music and Harvest Celebration. The celebration featured 38 days of free concerts. Award-winning country, bluegrass, Americana and Southern gospel artists were showcased on stages throughout the park. Dolly said,
“I’m a fan of every kind of music, but I wanted our music festival to reflect the music that has been a part of my life growing up here in East Tennessee. Every artist on our lineup knows how to bring a crowd to its feet, and I hope everybody’s looking forward to that kind of entertainment—I know I am!”
When Dolly is involved, putting on a bluegrass concert series is more like a Bluegrass Blast. For three days, Dollywood visitors enjoyed music by award-winning artists across the theme park. Dolly said,
“I love listening to bluegrass music just about as much as I love singing it. That makes me especially proud to present bluegrass music’s finest at Dollywood during my Bluegrass Blast.”
Nine-time GRAMMY Award winner Ricky Skaggs, Ralph Stanley & the Clinch Mountain Boys and the Del McCoury Band headlined the event. All concerts were free with admission to Dollywood.
After a decade-long hiatus from touring, Dolly hit the road on May 17, 2002, in support of her album "Halos & Horns." The tour included 25 shows which played across North America and Europe. The music played well to intimate 1,000--2,500-seat venues as Dolly kicked off the tour in New York City and ended it at her Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
