Hundreds of fans, travelers, community members, and road-trippers gathered in Cornersville as Dolly's Tennessean Travel Stop officially opened its doors, marking the debut of a first-of-its-kind roadside destination inspired by Dolly Parton's lifelong connection to the open road.
The grand opening celebration featured a surprise appearance from Dolly herself as she officially welcomed guests into the new space and kicked off a week-long celebration filled with special events, entertainment, and giveaways.
"Well, the doors are open and I could not be prouder. Whether you are hauling loads, hauling the family, or just passing through, we built this place for you," says Dolly. "Good food, real rest, a little music, and people who are genuinely glad you stopped in…that’s what the road has always deserved, and that is what you will find here. Welcome home."
To commemorate the official opening, Dolly, Danny Nozell and Gregory H. Sachs joined together for a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The moment marked the beginning of a destination rooted in Tennessee hospitality, comfort, and the shared mission of making the road a little kinder for everyone who travels it.
"I am proud to open the doors on the flagship location of Dolly’s Tennessean Travel Stop right here in the town I call home, Cornersville, Tennessee," says Gregory H. Sachs, Partner at Dolly’s Tennessean Travel Stops. "When I approached Dolly's manager, Danny Nozell, and shared the idea, Dolly and her team loved it right away. Her years of life on the road gave her a real understanding of what was missing out there, and she saw the chance to turn ordinary travel stops into a place built on Tennessee hospitality, worth stopping for, not just stopping at. Pairing the history this landmark location has with Dolly’s spirit establishes a high benchmark for our future locations."
Throughout the day, visitors explored the travel stop's many offerings, from exclusive merchandise and photo opportunities to delicious food and beverages. Guests were among the first to enjoy Dolly's Cup of Ambition, launched in partnership with Community Coffee, savory favorites from DLY BBQ, and experience the welcoming atmosphere designed to make every traveler feel at home. The day also included a special moment at Doggy Parton as the Wags & Walks, a rescue organization, brought adoptable puppies for people to meet and enjoy.
The opening also gave guests an opportunity to experience several signature features unique to the Cornersville location. Fans gathered around Butterfly Lullaby (Mountain Gospel), an original mural created by Southern artist Britt Flood and commissioned exclusively for the travel stop in collaboration with Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, celebrating the state that has shaped Dolly’s extraordinary journey. Nearly 40 feet wide and over 13 feet tall, the piece draws from two faces of Tennessee in one frame: the rolling pastures and sprawling farmland of Cornersville, horse country, cattle country, wide-open Middle Tennessee sky, meeting the ridge-line silhouettes of the Great Smoky Mountains. It is not the Tennessee on most postcards; it is the Tennessee that people who live here actually know.
Guests also lined up to take photos beside the custom tour bus installation, inspired by the buses Dolly has spent decades traveling in throughout her legendary career and celebrating her lifelong connection to life on the road.
The opening of Dolly's Tennessean Travel Stop marks the beginning of a week of festivities at the new destination, culminating with a major celebration on July 3. Additional activities throughout the week will give guests even more opportunities to experience the food, entertainment, shopping, and hospitality that make the travel stop unlike any other. For more information about the celebrations, follow along on Instagram, Facebook , X, and TikTok.
The countdown is on. Dolly's Tennessean Travel Stop has announced full details for its Grand Opening Week celebration, welcoming guests from June 24 through July 3, just in time for one of the biggest travel weeks of the year.
Located at Exit 22 off I-65 in Cornersville, TN, approximately one hour south of Nashville and one hour northwest of Huntsville, Dolly's Tennessean Travel Stop will open its doors to the public on Wednesday, June 24, at 2:30 PM, with a week of food, live music, giveaways, and Tennessee hospitality designed for everyone passing through, or stopping in for the first time.
From 2:30 PM – 8:00 PM, guests are invited to celebrate with:
RSVP for the Grand Opening event here to stay in the loop with updates and reminders.
The fun doesn't stop on opening day. Every day through July 2, Dolly's Tennessean Travel Stop will be serving up live music on the main stage, giveaways, and surprises we’ll be rolling out all week long.
Follow along on social media for the latest details as they’re announced.
Thursday, June 25: Introducing Dollyoke - Grab the mic for a special night of Dolly's hits, country favorites, and songs of the road
Friday, June 26: Live music from TNT Acoustic (5pm-8pm) and Mike Ponder Band on the Upstairs Patio (9pm-12am)
Saturday, June 27: Live music from Brad & Eric (5pm-8pm) and Southern Harmony on the Upstairs Patio (9pm-12am)
Sunday, June 28: Live music from Audrey See (2pm-5pm) and Scotty Freel (5pm-8pm)
Monday, June 29: Live music from Dalton Lee (2pm-5pm) and Tim Cannon (5pm-8pm)
Tuesday, June 30: Live music from The Berrys (2pm-5pm) and Alison Nichols (5pm-8pm)
Wednesday, July 1: Live music from Thomas Heath (2pm-5pm) and Taylor Ocano (5pm-8pm)
Thursday, July 2: Live music from Taylor Teasley (2pm-5pm) and Rebecca Lee Daniels (5pm-8pm)
Dolly's Tennessean Travel Stop will close out Grand Opening Week with a full-scale community celebration on Friday, July 3 starting at 5 pm, and is a Cornersville tradition. The evening will feature live music from Escape Band, a cornhole competition, bounce houses, raffle prizes, food truck, ice cream, and a fireworks display bringing together locals and travelers alike for a send-off into the 4th of July holiday. Come early. Stay late. The fireworks start when the sun goes down.
Dolly Parton will not be in attendance for Grand Opening events.
Dolly's Tennessean Travel Stop is located at 3686 Pulaski Hwy, Cornersville, TN 37047, at Exit 22 off I-65 — approximately one hour south of Nashville and one hour northwest of Huntsville.
For the latest on Grand Opening Week programming, visit www.dollystravelstops.com.
Calling All Local Musicians
Live music is at the heart of Dolly's Tennessean Travel Stop, and the stage belongs to Tennessee talent. Local musicians and bands interested in being considered for booking throughout the year are encouraged to submit their information here.
Inspired by Dolly Parton’s beloved anthem "9 to 5", the global superstar launches a new signature coffee brand, Cup of Ambition, in partnership with Community Coffee. Launching with Light, Medium, and Dark roasts, Dolly worked with the Saurage family – Community Coffee’s founding family now in its sixth generation – to curate an initial range of offerings.
"I've spent a lifetime workin’ 9 to 5, 5 to 9, and every hour in between! It takes a lot of energy to pursue your passion and navigate each day. That’s why I wanted to make a coffee that works just as hard. You know, I begin each morning with a head full of dreams, a notepad full of ideas, and a cup or two of coffee," says Dolly. "Whether you’re chasing dreams, tackling that to-do list, or just enjoying a quiet morning at home, I hope it brings a smile with every sip."
Created to capture the warmth, energy, and Southern hospitality Dolly is known for, Cup of Ambition brings Dolly’s signature personality and charm together with Community Coffee’s rich tradition of premium coffee craftsmanship. Built on Community Coffee’s more than century-long legacy of coffee expertise, the partnership with Dolly came together over a shared love of family, community, and authentic connection.
"Dolly embodies the same values Community Coffee was built on: hard work, warmth, and genuine connection. This partnership felt right from the very first conversation, and Cup of Ambition is something our family is truly proud and honored to put our name behind," says Donna Saurage, third generation owner of Community Coffee.
Dolly’s Cup of Ambition makes its public debut at Dolly’s Tennessean Travel Stop - the first of many highly anticipated travel centers, opening June 24, 2026, off Exit 22 on I-65 south of Nashville. Guests can be among the first to taste the new blends at the coffee shop and throughout the stop. And that’s just the beginning: later this year, Cup of Ambition will be available nationwide in ground and K-Cup® offerings, in partnership with Community Coffee. Sign up here to be first in line when it launches.Â
Follow Dolly’s Cup Of Ambition on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and TikTok.
Travelers across Tennessee and beyond will soon have a new reason to look forward to their next stop on the open road. Dolly’s Tennessean Travel Stop is officially set to welcome guests on June 24, introducing a travel experience built around the idea that every stop on the highway should feel a little more like home.Â
Created as a welcoming destination for all who travel the road, from professional drivers to families and everyday road-trippers, Dolly’s Tennessean Travel Stop is located at exit 22 off of I-65 in Cornersville, TN, approximately one hour south of Nashville and one hour northwest of Huntsville. It is built on the belief that every traveler deserves comfort, good food, and a genuine welcome.Â
Guests can stop by to relax, shop custom merch, and eat, including standout barbecue offerings from DLY BBQ, a fresh cup of Dolly’s Cup of Ambition Coffee, and a full-service sit-down cafe & restaurant. Whether stopping in for fuel, a hot meal, or a moment to stretch and recharge, visitors will find a space designed with real care and Tennessee hospitality.
Dolly’s Tennessean Travel Stop will also feature an original mural commissioned as a permanent love letter to Cornersville, Tennessee, making this flagship location one-of-a-kind. A tour bus inspired by the one Dolly has traveled in for years will also be on-site, providing a fun, photo-worthy way for guests to connect with her life on the highway.Â
A true gathering place for both travelers and the local community, the travel stop is the first of many planned locations, born from the partnership between Dolly and her manager Danny Nozell, and Gregory H. Sachs, who has owned and operated the trusted Tennessean Travel Stop brand since 2017. Inspired by Dolly’s lifelong connection to the open road, from her childhood in the hills of East Tennessee to decades spent touring the world by bus, the venture reimagines what a roadside stop can be.Â
The grand opening event will be a large-scale celebration, and all are welcome to attend and experience the travel stop firsthand. Additional details on grand opening festivities will be revealed in the coming weeks. For more information about Dolly’s Tennessean Travel Stop, please visit www.dollystravelstops.com.Â
Live music is at the heart of what we're building at Dolly's Tennessean Travel Stop, and we want to fill that stage with Tennessee talent. Local musicians and bands interested in being considered for booking at the flagship Cornersville location for Grand Opening Week and beyond are encouraged to submit their information here.Â
For members of the media interested in attending the grand opening or exploring feature and coverage opportunities, please email media@resultsglobalagency.com.
Dolly Parton celebrates her birthday week with another hit record. Dolly, whose span of Billboard chart hits now covers 60 years, sees the new version of her classic hit "Light Of A Clear Blue Morning" (featuring Lainey Wilson, Miley Cyrus, Queen Latifah & Reba McEntire) debut at #41 on the Billboard Country Airplay, earning Hot Shot Debut honors for the highest debut song of the week. The song is also this week’s Most Increased In Airplay (+1,810 spins) generating 2.5 million listener impressions.
"This is the best gift I could receive! I want to thank the fans, all the radio programmers, and all the streaming partners," exclaims Dolly. "When I first started thinking about something special to do for my 80th birthday, I thought, 'Lord, please give me a song – or something – to make the birthday special…to be a gift from me to other people for my birthday.' When we were working on songs for my new museum in Nashville, 'Light Of A Clear Blue Morning' came on, and I went, 'Oh! That’s it!'"
Dolly & Friends also blast onto the Billboard Country Digital Song Sales chart at #1. The music video for the single has been viewed more than 5 million times on YouTube and Facebook. The song also is receiving global embrace, with adds and features highlighted across numerous BBC Radio platforms in the UK. "Light Of A Clear Blue Morning" debuts Top 10 on the UK’s Official Charts Digital Single Sales tally.
Country radio embraced this single in a big way, with the track becoming one of the week’s Most Added songs. With broad support from iHeartMedia, Audacy Radio, and Townsquare Media, official playlisted adds came from KKGO/Los Angeles, KKBQ/Houston, WPGB/Pittsburgh, KAWO/Boise, WCOL/Columbus, KSD/St. Louis, WCOS/Columbia, WEZL/Charleston, WKSJ/Mobile, WQIK/Jacksonville, WSSL/Greenville, KXKS/Shreveport, WUSJ/Jackson, and Music Choice.
Dolly’s first appearance on Billboard’s charts came as a songwriter 60 years ago. "Put It Off Until Tomorrow", cowritten with her Uncle Bill Owens, was recorded by Decca Records artist Bill Phillips and released in January 1966. First cracking the Billboard Hot Country Songs in April 1966, the song eventually peaked at #6 on the chart. Dolly is featured as an uncredited special guest vocalist on the single, which also brought the singer-songwriter the first of many BMI Awards as a Song of the Year in 1966.
In keeping with the spirit of giving that has defined her career, net proceeds from the new version of "Light Of A Clear Blue Morning" and its accompanying music video will benefit the pediatric cancer research program at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt in Nashville, Tennessee, a longtime partner and cause close to Parton’s heart. This single is released on Dolly's own Butterfly Records, with distribution via Virgin Music Group.
