Music legend Dolly Parton helped kick off the “Honor Your Hometown” campaign with a tribute to her hometown of Sevierville, Tennessee. Led by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Ken Burns and Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Marty Stuart, the “Honor Your Hometown” campaign is a non-partisan, all-volunteer campaign to honor hometowns across America. Headlining a roster of over 150 American leaders, including iconic entertainers and community officials, Dolly was one of the first two people approached to take part in the campaign, along with the late Colin Powell.
In Dolly’s tribute to her hometown of Sevierville, Tennessee, she shares her appreciation and affection for the people and culture of the Great Smoky Mountains before singing a chorus of her beloved song, “My Tennessee Mountain Home.”
The “Honor Your Hometown” campaign will continue throughout the next month, with all Americans invited to join the cause and tell a story on social media about their own hometowns. Those who participate in the heartwarming campaign are encouraged to include the hashtag #HonorYourHometown. For more information, visit honoryourhometown.com.
Image provided by Curtis Hilbun
Country music legend Dolly Parton took the stage to perform an hour of her hits during the First Annual Kiss Breast Cancer Goodbye concert, held Sunday, October 24, at the Country Music Hall of Fame’s CMA Theater in Nashville, TN. This was Dolly’s first full show since 2016. She was joined by her long-time musical director, producer and guitarist, Kent Wells, for an intimate hour-long acoustic performance to help raise money and awareness for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Prior to the concert, Dolly shared,
“I am thrilled to be performing some of my greatest hits with my friend Kent for such a worthy cause. Breast cancer has touched every single one of us in some capacity, so I am thankful for Donna Wells asking me to be part of this event. I hope we can raise some good money and help fight this horrible disease, so bring your checkbooks.”
The evening of music and celebration also featured performances from Dennis Quaid, Collin Raye, Linda Davis, Artimus Pyle and Nelson, with special guests Todd and Julie Chrisley.
Dolly’s headlining performance at the inaugural Kiss Breast Cancer Goodbye benefit comes a year after teaming up with Rita Wilson, Jordin Sparks, Sara Evans and Monica for “Pink,” an inspiring ballad with a message of hope for people battling breast cancer. The star-studded song debuted on October 24, 2020, at the Grand Ole Opry, in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. A portion of the proceeds from sales of the song goes to Susan G. Komen in support of the mission to save lives from this disease.
Two of country music's biggest female stars, Dolly Parton and Reba McEntire, have teamed up to release their first-ever duet. The long-awaited collaboration, a remake of Reba's 1993 chart-topper "Does He Love You," was released October 8 on Reba's new three-disc box set, "Revived Remixed Revisited," alongside a music video, which premiered exclusively on Facebook.
Singer Linda Davis joined Reba in the original hit recording, released in 1993, going head to head with the star in a powerhouse vocal showcase. Dolly and Reba’s version from "Revived Remixed Revisited" is a softer, more subtle interpretation, taking the song down to its basic elements and giving the two superstars the opportunity to have a conversation.
Dolly previously opened up about the collaboration during an appearance on Andy Cohen's "Watch What Happens Live."
"It turned out really good," Dolly shared. "I have always wanted to sing with her and I don't know why we never did it until now. But we really sounded good together and I think the fans are going to like it."
Reba also shared her excitement about the duet in a recent interview with "Rolling Stone," saying,
"Isn’t that amazing? Here we are, so far along in our careers [and] we haven’t gotten to sing together...I’ve sung for her, she’s sung for me, but we’ve never done a duet together. I was so thrilled that she said yes."
“Does He Love You,” featuring Dolly Parton, is available now on Reba McEntire’s three-disc box set, “Revived Remixed Revisited,” and via all digital and streaming services.
Due to the recent flooding that has devastated much of Middle Tennessee, Dolly Parton and her Smoky Mountain businesses are reaching out to help, seeking to return the favor the area received after the 2016 wildfires. Dolly was moved to help after seeing the damage caused in Humphreys County, the home of her good friend, country music legend Loretta Lynn. Loretta was quick to offer her support to the Smokies in 2016, so Dolly was inspired to reciprocate the gesture. Dolly, through Dollywood and her Pigeon Forge dinner show properties—Dolly Parton’s Stampede Dinner Attraction, Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show and Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Feud—has raised $700,000, a portion of ticket sales from October 2-3, to benefit the United Way of Humphreys County, the charity selected by Loretta.
“After the Sevier County wildfires in 2016, Loretta was one of the first who reached out to offer anything she could,” Dolly said. “It meant so much to me that Loretta—and so many folks—were ready to give in any way they could. This was just one small way I could help Loretta’s people for all they did to help my people.”
Several counties were affected, but Humphreys County received the most damage. More than 20 people lost their lives due to the catastrophic flooding, caused by more than 15 inches of rain that fell in a relatively short period of time in late August. Loretta’s ranch in Hurricane Mills was severely damaged by the flooding, and ranch foreman Wayne Spears was tragically swept away in the floodwaters.
For anyone interested in donating directly to the United Way of Humphreys County, please visit unitedwayhumphreys.org for more information.
As summertime comes to a close, the days start to get shorter, and we all get to slow down a bit to appreciate the beauty that arrives with autumn. Dolly ushers in a celebration of this wonderful season by sharing everything she loves about her favorite time of year.
“I love fall. It’s my favorite time of the year,” Dolly shared. “I love all the fun, the food, the beautiful leaves… I love all of God’s beauty and the fall, I think, shows it almost more than any other part of the year.”
Dollywood welcomes guests to celebrate the splendor of autumn during their annual Harvest Festival, happening September 24-October 30. The popular event, which includes the family-friendly Great Pumpkin LumiNights, features all of the fun, flavorful food and award-winning entertainment that make this a must-see experience for your family this fall!
Dolly’s Stampede in Pigeon Forge and Branson welcomes families to saddle up for an autumn adventure filled with thrilling horse riding stunts, while enjoying a bountiful four-course feast. Buccaneers of all ages will enjoy visiting Pirates Voyage in Pigeon Forge and Myrtle Beach, where a swashbuckling adventure awaits!
Dolly’s Imagination Library received one of the highest literacy honors from the Library of Congress for its dedication to inspiring a love of reading in children. The Library of Congress awarded the Imagination Library with the $150,000 David M. Rubenstein Prize for its work in gifting more than 167 million books to children around the world.
During the 2021 Creative Arts Emmy Awards ceremony, Dolly won her first Emmy for Outstanding Television Movie as executive producer of her Netflix holiday musical, “Dolly Parton’s Christmas on the Square.” The film’s choreographer, Debbie Allen, also took home an Emmy for Outstanding Choreography For Scripted Programming.
TIME Magazine has named Dolly Parton among the 100 most influential people of 2021, with a foreword written by her goddaughter, Miley Cyrus. Dolly is one of only two country artists, along with Kane Brown, who earned a coveted spot on the list, announced on Wednesday, September 15.
Dolly has partnered with award-winning Puerto Rican musician José Feliciano to add some “new flair” to her song, “Eagle When She Flies,” in a new recording of the country music classic.
Dolly’s first-ever signature fragrance in partnership with Scent Beauty is now available! Dolly – Scent From Above transports us to a place where everything is possible. Flowers blossom with rhinestone hearts and playful butterflies. Notes of mandarin, peony blossoms, jasmine, vanilla, sandalwood, musk and patchouli are truly Scent from Above.
Fall is an inspiring time of year, not just in the Great Smoky Mountains where Dolly grew up, but God’s beauty can be seen all around us. As the leaves change and autumn colors burst forth, take time to reflect and embrace the beauty found in our own lives.
Words can’t describe what I feel inside
When I see the beauty in each coming day
What my eyes behold can’t be bought or sold
And everything’s beautiful in its own way
