Born in Mt. Grove, Missouri, Don Warden was a self-taught steel guitar player, singer and savvy business manager. Don Warden and Dolly Parton enjoyed a long-standing career together lasting more than 50 years. She affectionately called him her "Mr. Everything" and in remembering Don after his passing on March 11, 2017, Dolly said,
"I’ve known and loved Don Warden since I joined The Porter Wagoner Show in 1967. He was like a father, a brother, a partner and one of my best friends. I feel like a piece of my heart is missing today. Certainly a huge piece of my life is gone. Rest in peace Don and know for sure that I will always love you."
Don and Dolly met after she joined "The Porter Wagoner Show" in 1967. Prior to the popular television show, Don was a founding member of the Porter Wagoner Trio and joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1957. Fittingly, he was inducted into the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame in 2008.
Don's 14-year run on "The Porter Wagoner Show" ended in 1974 when both he and Dolly departed the show. Don loyally served as Dolly's manager and her "Mr. Everything" for nearly five decades. For Don, retirement didn't come until his health kept him from the work he loved so dearly. During a 2008 concert honoring their late boss and band leader, Dolly presented Don with the Angel Award. The concert took place at Dollywood and became the last stage shared by both Dolly and Don.
Dolly recorded her fond admiration for Don within the pages of her 1994 book, "Dolly: My Life and Other Unfinished Business." In talking about Don, Dolly said,
"Anybody who knows him - and he knows everybody - looks up to him. At one time there was even a T-shirt being sold around Nashville that read 'I KNOW DON WARDEN.' People are still calling me and asking, 'How can I get one of those Don Warden T-shirts?' Sometimes it feels like people are only using me to get to Don."
In addition to Dolly's working relationship with Don, his wife Ann became a dear friend and valuable part of Dolly's career. Ann lent her artistic eye for design to some of the early decorations at Dollywood. Later, she and Dolly's brother Bobby worked together at the Parton family homestead also known the Tennessee Mountain Home. Perhaps most notably, Ann served on the board of the Dollywood Foundation which launched Dolly Parton's Imagination Library in 1995. Ann's loyalty to Dolly is surpassed only by that of her love and devotion to her husband.
Music was a huge part of Don's life from an early age. In high school, he formed his own band, The Rhythm Rangers. In addition to his band leader role, he played steel guitar and sang. As a young man, he had an afternoon radio show on KWPM-AM in West Plains, Missouri. The band eventually made their way to the Louisiana Hayride. There, they backed The Wilburn Brothers and Red Sovine. In 1951, Don stepped away from the show for two years to serve in the US Army.
After returning from the Army, Don had another short run on the Hayride. Soon after, he returned to Missouri where he attended flight school. It wasn't until a visit to his parents' home in West Plains, Missouri that he met Porter Wagoner. Along with Speedy Haworth, they formed the Porter Wagoner Trio. In 1957, Don joined the Grand Ole Opry with Porter. Three years later, he started what would become a 14-year television run on the syndicated program, "The Porter Wagoner Show."
Don Warden was inducted into the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame in 2008. His profound influence on artists such as Dolly and Porter will live on both in the music he made and in the lives he touched.
Don Warden (March 27, 1929 - March 11, 2017) was 87 years young.
On March 13, preschoolers are in for a surprise when Dolly Parton guest stars on “Lily’s Driftwood Bay.”
Noleen is a famous singing chicken. Her luxury yacht gets beached on Driftwood Bay during a storm. Noleen's arrival is a big surprise to her greatest – and rather star-struck fan, Lord Stag (Stephen Fry). An impromptu concert sees old sea dog Salty (Peter Mullan) duet with Noleen. As a result, Noleen’s astonished by his talent and tries to persuade him to go on tour with her. Will Noleen convince Salty to give up the sights and sounds of Driftwood Bay for an international singing career? Viewers of all ages will have to watch and see.
The special double-length episode featuring Dolly as Noleen airs on Monday, March 13 at 9 am EST on Sprout. In addition, the episode will premiere in the United Kingdom on Nick Jr on May 12.
Sixteen South’s “Lily’s Driftwood Bay” is a preschool mixed-media animated show. It stars five-year-old Lily who lives in a beach hut with her Dad. Every day, the sea washes up a curious new treasure. These treasures spark Lily’s imagination about what might be happening across the way on Driftwood Bay.
Common themes include intergenerational relationships and the idea of community in a non-family environment. The series’ unique look is completely created from things that have been found washed up on the beach. It encourages kids to make good use of the things that we otherwise throw away.
The show mirrors society and isn’t afraid to tackle difficult storylines – telling stories of hope in our challenging times. The series has won over a dozen international awards including the Prix Jeunesse, Royal Television Society and British Animation Award.
After the success of Dolly Parton’s NBC movies about her childhood, Pigeon Forge’s newest dinner theatre attraction is telling a special story very close to her heart. After months of work, Parton and her production team are opening a new show shaped by the life and family of the Smoky Mountain songbird herself. Dolly said,
“This new story is very special to me. That is why during my first visit to the Great Smoky Mountains this year I will open a new show that celebrates my family before I was born. With the success of my family stories Coat of Many Colors and Christmas of Many Colors - Circle of Love over the last two years, I knew this was a story I wanted to tell and the theatre in Pigeon Forge near the Island is the perfect venue.”
The production will debut this spring at the former Lumberjack Adventure theatre on the Parkway in Pigeon Forge. Jim Rule, CEO of World Choice Investments, LLC, said this new show is what the customers are asking for. Jim commented,
“We will release more details about Dolly’s story soon. We have been telling stories for 30 years and this new show showcases the world-class storytelling of Dolly and celebrates the Great Smoky Mountains and her family.”
Anyone who pre-purchased Lumberjack Adventure 2017 show tickets should contact the box office at 844-322-4400 for re-ticketing.
About World Choice Investments: Founded in 1988, World Choice Investments, LLC, doing business as Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede Dinner Attraction and Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show, operates dinner attraction venues for family fun and adventure in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, Branson, Missouri and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Our shows feature special effects, musical productions, live animals and a four-course family feast.
"Dolly Parton’s Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love" was named Most Inspirational Television Program of the Year at the 25th Annual Movieguide® Awards, hosted by Actor Terry Crews. The back-to-back wins by “Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors” and the holiday sequel marks the first time the organization has honored related films two years in a row.
Dolly attended last year’s ceremony but was not able to attend this year’s Movieguide® Awards. Co-executive producer Sam Haskell accepted the award along with stars Alyvia Alyn Lind, Cameron Jones and Mary Lane Haskell, as well as Director Stephen Herek, Writer Pamela K. Long and Editor Maysie Hoy.
"To stand in the light of God’s grace, and to show people who you really are is what it’s about, that’s who Dolly Parton is,” says Sam Haskell. “We love her and we appreciate her, and we cherish her. She’s a servant of God, and we love telling the stories of her life."
"Dolly Parton's Christmas Of Many Colors: Circle of Love" which premiered on NBC with stellar ratings was described by Movieguide® as being a "breath of fresh air" and a rare "representation of overt faith on Network TV".
The Epiphany Prize honors film and television productions which promote wholesome, spiritually uplifting, inspirational, redemptive and moral themes and values. The first installment of Dolly Parton's four-picture movie deal with NBC earned the Epiphany Prize in 2016. The cast and crew were overjoyed when an unexpected follow-up holiday feature was announced. Consecutive wins at the Movieguide® Awards further proves the groundbreaking success of both films and everyone involved.
"Dolly Parton's Christmas Of Many Colors: Circle of Love" Film Credits:
Carissa Clark - Post Producer
Sam Haskell - Executive Producer
Hudson Hickman - Producer
Pamela K. Long - Executive Producer/Writer
Dolly Parton - Executive Producer
The film is a production of Magnolia Hill Entertainment and Dixie Pixie Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television.
Fifty years ago today, Dolly Parton released her first full-length studio album, “Hello, I'm Dolly.” The album, which debuted on Monument Records, contained Dolly's hits "Dumb Blonde" (written by Curly Putman) and "Something Fishy" (written by Dolly). Both singles reached the Top 20 on the country singles charts, and the album itself reached #11 on the country albums chart.
Produced by Fred Foster, “Hello, I’m Dolly” caught the attention of Porter Wagoner, who ultimately invited Dolly to become a member of his band and appear on his popular weekly television show. These appearances led to her rise to superstardom and she became a household name.
“I can't believe it's been 50 years since I did my first album,” Dolly recalls. “What a wonderful 50 years it has been. Thanks to my Uncle Bill Owens and Fred Foster for believing in me early on. And thanks to all the fans out there...I hope to have at least another 50 years!”
The album contained Dolly's versions of three songs she wrote that had already been hits for other artists: "Put it Off Until Tomorrow" (Bill Phillips), "Fuel to the Flame" (Skeeter Davis), and "I'm In No Condition" which charted by Hank Williams Jr. Bill Phillips’ recording of “Put it Off Until Tomorrow” featured Dolly on background vocals and won BMI Song of the Year in 1966.
This vintage video shows Dolly performing “Dumb Blonde” on the Cas Walker Show. Watch closely to see her Uncle Bill Owens, featured here on guitar.
