Blackbird Presents and Kenny Rogers announce “All In For The Gambler: Kenny Rogers’ Farewell Concert Celebration,” an all-star concert event taping at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, TN on Wednesday, October 25, 2017, at 7 p.m. CT. This once-in-a-lifetime concert event will honor Kenny Rogers' historic 60-year career and will feature the final performance together by Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton, one of popular music’s most beloved duets of all time. Kenny said,
“As I'm bringing this chapter of my career to a close, this will be an unforgettable way to celebrate with my talented friends, who I'm so grateful to have crossed paths with.”
Kenny went on to say,
“It means so much that they would feel compelled to do this for me. Of course, the night would not be the same without Dolly Parton being part of it. We've enjoyed a special friendship for decades, and I'll forever look back fondly on the many collaborations, performances, and laughs we've shared as some of the most extraordinary moments of my career. I know it will be a moving experience for us standing on that stage together for one last time."
This one-night-only concert event taping will bring together fans, friends and music icons to celebrate Kenny Rogers. “All In For The Gambler” will feature performances by Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton, Little Big Town, Alison Krauss, The Flaming Lips, Idina Menzel, Jamey Johnson, Elle King and many other special guests to be announced in the coming weeks. Dolly said,
“Kenny is like a family member to me. We have been friends for over 30 years and made musical magic together. Since 1983, when we released ‘Islands In The Stream,’ everyone has had an expectation to see Kenny everywhere I go and me with him wherever he goes.”
Dolly continued,
“Well, I guess for many of those fans that wanted to see us together, this will be that night. Performing with Kenny for the last time ever on October 25th is going to be emotional for both of us, but it’s also going to be very special. Even though Kenny may be retiring, as he fades from the stage, our love for each other will never fade away.”
In this video, Kenny comments on what it be like to perform with Dolly for the last time in a public setting?
When asked, How do you begin to put together the set list for your final show - what kind of pressure is that? Kenny said,
“My favorite set list would be, some of my hits with Dolly. I think "Can't Make Old Friends"..."Islands in the Stream" and the songs I've done with other people. I would love to do some of those...Duets are part of the high point in my life and in my career.”
Tickets go on sale July 21, 2017, at 10 a.m. CT online at Ticketmaster.com, by phone at 800-745-3000, all Ticketmaster locations and the Bridgestone Arena box office. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the T.J. Martell Foundation and the Kenny Rogers Children’s Center.
In a career that has spanned more than six decades, Kenny Rogers has left an indelible mark on the history of American music. His songs have endeared music lovers and touched the lives of millions around the world. Chart-topping hits like “The Gambler,” “Lady,” “Islands In The Stream,” “Lucille,” “She Believes In Me,” and “Through the Years” are just a handful of Kenny Rogers' songs that continue to inspire new generations of artists and fans alike.
Kenny, with twenty-four number-one hits, is a Country Music Hall of Fame member, six-time CMA Awards winner, three-time GRAMMY® Award winner, recipient of the CMA Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013, CMT Artist of a Lifetime Award honoree in 2015 and has been voted the "Favorite Singer of All Time" in a joint poll by readers of both USA Today and People.
"Islands in the Stream" Duet With Kenny Rogers
"Kenny & Dolly: A Christmas to Remember"
"Real Love"
"Kenny, Dolly and Willie: Something Inside So Strong"
Sold-Out Kenny Rogers Concert Raises $60,000 for Dolly’s Imagination Library
Smoky Mountains Rise: A Benefit for the My People Fund Telethon
On July 13, the Television Academy announced nominations for the 69th Emmy® Awards. Television Academy Chairman and CEO Hayma Washington along with Anna Chlumsky from the HBO series "Veep" and Shemar Moore from CBS’ "S.W.A.T." hosted the ceremony. "Dolly Parton’s Christmas of Many Colors: Circle Of Love" is among those recognized by the organization. This second installment of Dolly’s four-movie deal with NBC is nominated for Outstanding Television Movie. Dolly said,
"I am so very proud and excited to have ‘Christmas of Many Colors’ be nominated for an Emmy award. Special thanks to my partner and executive producer Sam Haskell, a wonderful cast and crew, Steve Herek (our producer) and Pamela Long for a great script. And a special thanks to all of the many fans that watched it."
In the two-hour movie, the Partons, a family of humble means living in the mountains of East Tennessee, face a devastating event, challenging their will. But when they experience a bewildering Christmas miracle, the Partons are drawn closer together than ever — with deepened faith and love for one another. Jennifer Nettles, who plays Dolly’s mother in the film, said,
“This project for me was a celebration of the family and the beautiful story of Miss Dolly Parton. Each day I played Avie Lee Parton was a joy. For "Christmas of Many Colors" to be nominated and celebrated further by the Emmy's, thrills me.”
The 69th Emmy Awards will telecast live from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, CA. Watch on Sunday, September 17 (8:00-11:00 PM ET/5:00-8:00 PM PT) on CBS. Stephen Colbert will serve as host. White Cherry Entertainment will produce the 69th Emmy Awards. Glenn Weiss and Ricky Kirshner are executive producers. Weiss is the director. And Chris Licht, executive producer of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, is a producer.
Here is a list of works nominated alongside "Christmas of Many Colors."
See a full list of Emmy nominees
Alyvia Alyn Lind, Jennifer Nettles, Ricky Schroder, and Gerald McCraney co-starred in the holiday movie. The film aired on NBC, with Dolly Parton making a special guest appearance. In addition to the Emmy nomination, "Christmas of Many Colors" earned the Movieguide® Epiphany Prize. The family-focused film also received honors at the 68th Annual Christopher Awards.
This nomination marks Dolly's second Emmy nod. She received her first in 1978. Her appearance on the one-time television special "Cher…Special" earned Dolly a nomination for Outstanding Continuing or Single Performance by a Supporting Actress in Variety or Music.
In the 2017-2019 final state budget, the North Carolina General Assembly approved $3.5 million (first year) and $7 million (second year) for Smart Start to administer Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library across North Carolina. Dolly said,
"I’m so excited to join Smart Start to expand my Imagination Library across the state. Welcome aboard North Carolina – let’s give these dreams some wings!"
Cindy Watkins is the President of the North Carolina Partnership for Children/Smart Start. Cindy said,
“This budget clearly reflects a commitment to investing in our youngest children and their families. Our state leaders have expanded funding for child care subsidy, NC PreK, and early literacy through Smart Start. These investments are significant steps forward in building strong foundations for our state’s future.”
In addition to statewide coverage for the Imagination Library, the approved budget includes a $27.3 million increase in funding for NC PreK. Also, an increase in the market rate for child care subsidies for infants to two-year-olds in tier three counties. Finally, it includes an increase of $2 million for Nurse Family Partnership.
Smart Start is a network of 75 nonprofit local partnerships that serve all 100 North Carolina counties. This network is led by The North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc. (NCPC) that ensures fiscal and programmatic accountability, and coordinates the statewide network to create better outcomes for children and families.
The Imagination Library is a book gifting program for children from birth to age five. The mission of the program is to foster a love of reading in preschool children. And ensure that every child born has books, regardless of their family’s income.
To celebrate summer during Dollywood’s "Year of the Family," the park offers families even more of what they already love—time together at the world’s friendliest theme park. Summer at Dollywood (June 17- Aug. 6) provides the ideal atmosphere for families to create lifelong memories sure to put a smile on every face. Dolly Parton said,
“Summer in the Great Smoky Mountains truly is something special. When I was growing up, our entertainment was catching lightnin’ bugs and looking up at the stars. We could only dream about what it would be like to take a family vacation together.”
Dollywood celebrates the season with two new attractions, Drop Line and Whistle Punk Chaser. Also, The Little Engine Playhouse will feature two new stories. Guests can look forward to spectacular nightly fireworks. And a Dollywood favorite, The Gazillion Bubbles Show, returns this summer during "Year of the Family."
Dolly’s Nights of Many Colors, a spectacular synchronized fireworks show, paints a colorful canvas across the Smoky Mountain sky each evening. The fireworks extravaganza lights up the night at 9:30 p.m.
The Gazillion Bubbles Show is in D.P.’s Celebrity Theater, offering an amazing facility to fill with the “unbubbleievable” tricks and fun of the bubble-making spectacle. Extended park operating hours—10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily— give guests more time to create the perfect summer getaway. Additionally, Dollywood’s hours are extended to midnight for the first time ever on July 1 and 8. Dolly said,
“We had heard about big rides and shows and festivals at places like the World’s Fair, but we never dreamed that it could all be right here in the Smokies! Places like Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Dollywood are now everything we could imagine for a family vacation together.”
It’s story time again as The Little Engine Playhouse showcases two new children’s stories. Coat of Many Colors is based on Dolly’s newest children’s book of the same name. Pretend, based on Jennifer Plecas’ book, features sing-along songs that kids of all ages will enjoy. And, of course, everyone’s favorite, The Little Engine That Could, returns to the stage. It's a delightful reminder of what can happen with just a little bit of determination.
Dollywood guests have an amazing amount of entertainment options to enjoy during their visit. They also can experience the park’s award-winning rides in a completely different environment once the sun sets. After dark, Dollywood’s trademark attractions, like Wild Eagle and Thunderhead, provide a unique experience for those who climb aboard. These rides thrill guests who race through the summer night with no idea which way the track will turn next!
Learn more about Dollywood’s Year of the Family, or call 1-800-DOLLYWOOD.
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In an interview with Gold Derby’s Chris Beachum, Dolly Parton talks about how she was moved to tears by “Christmas of Many Colors.” She shares her emotional reaction to both NBC movies based on her life.
Shortly before the premiere of the first film, Dolly joined her sister Stella Parton for a private screening. Dolly recalled the overwhelming feelings of nostalgia. She remembers saying,
“How amazing is this to be here holding hands as sisters like when we were little kids, and somebody in the movies playing us... It was very, very moving. Very touching.”
“Coat of Many Colors” (2015) and “Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love” (2016) were both ratings smashes for NBC. The cast of stars including Ricky Schroder (Lee Parton), Jennifer Nettles (Avie Lee Parton), Gerald McRaney (Rev. Jake Owens) and Alyvia Alyn Lind (Little Dolly) all delivered moving performances in both films.
Gold Derby reports the network plans repeat airings for many years to come. In addition, the first two films were part of a four movie deal between Dolly and NBC. “Jolene” is said to be the subject of the next release. Unlike the first two, the next film will be based on Dolly’s song rather than her life and will veer from the faith-based, family focused genre. Dolly said,
“Jolene, of course, in the song was a flamboyant girl that was out to steal somebody’s man but she has redeeming qualities.”
Dolly continues the interview by reflecting on receiving awards such as the Kennedy Center Honors, dear friends including Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda and much more.
Gold Derby famously presents four sets of Oscar, Emmy, Grammy and other predictions for comparison and analysis. Visit Gold Derby to make Emmy predictions. Nominees will be announced on July 13.
Video produced by David Janove and Andrew Merrill
