Visit the beautiful Smoky Mountains and experience nature’s renewal along with your own. Dolly invites families back to the Smokies and shares why they really are some place special. Here families can laugh, play and stay as they rejuvenate their spirit and make lasting memories together. Dolly says,
"Come on back; we’re here and better than ever."
With the award-winning atmosphere of Dollywood theme park, America’s must-see water park, Dollywood’s Splash Country, and multiple lodging options, families can create a unique experience they’ll remember for a lifetime.
Families can also find world-class entertainment in Pigeon Forge at Dixie Stampede Dinner Attraction and Dolly Parton's Smoky Mountain Adventures - the all-new dinner and show now in its premier season.
Plan an exciting summer getaway in the Smoky Mountains - Some Place Special!
Dollywood
Dixie Stampede Dinner Attraction
Dolly Parton's Smoky Mountain Adventures
HLN’s Robin Meade of the Morning Express Show recently visited the Great Smoky Mountains. She talked with Dolly Parton about ongoing recovery efforts and the final My People Fund disbursements.
Robin also visited with one of the families affected and shared their story. Roger Prince and Megan Kelly are just one of the families who lost their home in the devastating wildfires. Robin accompanied the couple as they revisited the site where their home once stood.
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Robin also reminds everyone that visiting the Great Smoky Mountains is the best way to show their support. Morning Express with Robin Meade airs weekday mornings on HLN from 6 AM - 11 AM EST.
The Dollywood Foundation’s My People Fund provided a total of $10,000 (per family) over the course of six months to the more than 900 Sevier County families whose homes were completely destroyed in the Smoky Mountain wildfires. Any family who lost their primary residence (renters and homeowners) due to the wildfires in Sevier County were eligible.
The mission of the Mountain Tough Recovery Team is to assist individuals and families recovering from the 2016 wildfires in Gatlinburg and the surrounding Sevier County area to rebuild and provide resources for other unmet needs for both homeowners and renters impacted by the fires.
Devastating wildfires claimed the lives of 14 people and destroyed thousands of homes and buildings in Sevier County, TN, on November 28, 2016.
With Dollywood’s award-winning chefs offering up tasty barbeque and the biggest names in bluegrass serving up some sweet sounds, Dollywood’s Barbeque & Bluegrass (May 26-June 4) continues the “Year of the Family” with a special treat for the senses.
Steep Canyon Rangers (May 31), Rhonda Vincent & The Rage (June 4), Dailey & Vincent (May 29), and seven-time International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Vocal Group of the Year Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver (May 28) are among the acts helping the festival reach a high note. Dolly Parton said,
“There’s no doubt bluegrass holds a special place in my heart. There is something so beautiful about the sounds of that good ol’ mountain music. That’s why it’s a treat to have these great bluegrass performers, like my good friend Rhonda Vincent, at Dollywood during my Barbeque & Bluegrass festival. These really are the best in the business, and I’m glad we’re able to share their gifts with the guests who come visit us. Heck, I might even grab a plate of those ribs and sit down and enjoy some of the shows myself!”
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This year’s festival includes a number of IBMA and Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America (SPBGMA) award winners. Award-winning acts include Flatt Lonesome. This rising new group won the 2016 IBMA Vocal Group of the Year. They also received Album of the Year and Song of the Year the same year. The group headlines the festival on June 3. Kelsi Robertson Harrigill of Flatt Lonesome said,
“Flatt Lonesome always looks forward to being part of the Dollywood Barbeque and Bluegrass Festival. It is a great event that features all our favorite things – roller coasters, barbeque and bluegrass music, and the folks that come to the shows are always so much fun to play for. We sure hope to be part of this great festival every year!”
An impressive calendar of bluegrass talent performs throughout the festival. Guests can enjoy more than 25 individual concerts scheduled each day on stages across the park. Legendary bluegrass group Hot Rize kicks off the festival on May 26. The Gibson Brothers (May 27) and Band of Ruhks (May 28) are also playing on opening weekend. Other Barbeque & Bluegrass performers include Blue Highway (June 3), Cricket Tell the Weather (June 3) and Farmhands (June 2). The lineup also includes the ETSU Pride Bluegrass Band (May 30). Also, catch Carson Peters and Iron Mountain (May 26) and The Loose Strings Band (May 31). Six-String Soldiers, the bluegrass arm of the United States Army Field Band, play, appropriately enough, on Sunday, May 28 and Memorial Day Monday, May 29. Andrea Asprelli of Cricket Tell the Weather said,
“As a singer and a songwriter who loves bluegrass music, it's an honor to be able to play at Dollywood this year. I first listened to Dolly on the ‘Trio’ albums, and soon learned that her powerful vocals were just as inspiring as her creative, entrepreneurial and loving spirit.”
All concerts are free and included with park admission.
Dollywood’s award-winning food perfectly complements the sounds of bluegrass music’s finest. The aroma of bold barbeque wafts through the air, thanks to expertly-prepared pulled pork, smoked sausage and chicken. Bountiful barbeque entrees are accompanied by Southern favorites like baked beans, corn on the cob and more. Guests also can find a number of sweet treats to put an exclamation point on their meal!
Dollywood’s Year of The Family provides amazing new memory-making moments for families to celebrate.
Learn more about Dollywood’s Barbeque & Bluegrass online or call 1-800-DOLLYWOOD.
All photos courtesy of Curtis Hilbun
In a packed house at Dollywood’s My People Theatre, Dolly Parton honored the life and legacy of Don Warden, the man she called her “Mr. Everything.” A plaque was placed on the side of Dolly’s tour bus, which now sits outside the theater in Dollywood. It reads, “In celebration of Don Warden, Mentor, Musician, Manager and Mr. Everything. I will Always Love You, Dolly.” In addition, a star was placed at the entrance of the bus. It reads, “Don Warden Dolly’s #1 Angel.”
The house band opened the tribute with the song, “Satisfied Mind.” In her opening remarks, Dolly said,
“If there was one person who would have left this world with a satisfied mind it was Don Warden.”
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Dolly called Don her “Mr. Everything” because he literally did a little bit of everything for her career. When Dolly exited “The Porter Wagoner Show” Don left his position there to stay on with Dolly. He was a renowned steel guitar player and tenor singer with years of experience. In addition to his on-stage talent, Don was, in Dolly’s words, “a man of many colors.” Dolly said,
“Don was one of those people who you were lucky if you got to know one of those people. There was nothing that Don Warden could not do.”
As manager, Don handled the band accounts, promoted shows, coordinated merchandise sales and really anything that needed to be done. On the road, Don was not only the bus driver he was also the mechanic. He also had a knack for buying and renovating tour buses which he did for years for Dolly and before that for Porter Wagoner.
During the tribute, Dolly invited Don’s widow Anne to the stage along with her son Charlie, his wife and their children. She recognized Anne’s contributions to Don’s career as well as her own. Anne was credited for designing all of Dolly’s merchandise during the time Don was her manager. Dolly also gave her accolades for her work at the Tennessee Mountain Home. Anne worked in tandem with Dolly’s brother Bobby on the renovations and interior design of the Parton family home. In addition, Anne was also instrumental in the launch of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Dolly said,
“Together, Don and Anne were the perfect team.”
In her closing remarks, Dolly turned to Anne, his son Charlie and the entire Warden family and said,
“Thanks for sharing him with us.”
Don Warden (March 27, 1929 – March 11, 2017) was 87 years young.
Dolly joins 13 other artists on a new album to support the humanitarian aid efforts of War Child UK. Due to the generosity of everyone involved, 100 % of album sales will go directly to the cause.
Brandi Carlile is a soulful American singer/songwriter. She released her self-titled album in 2005 followed by "The Story" in 2007. As a well-respected songwriter, Brandi is dedicated to lending her talents and connections to a cause much greater than herself. The album, "Cover Stories" features 14 artists, all sharing in Brandi’s passion for children impacted by world conflicts.
Purchase "Cover Stories" Now Available and support War Child UK’s efforts to protect, educate and stand up for the rights of children in war.
“What we do to help the children of the world says everything about the humanity of our generation.” --Brandi Carlile
