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.
Dolly Parton teamed up with the award-winning vocal group Pentatonix to record her 1973 hit, "Jolene. " The new rendition debuted at No. 18 on the Hot Country Songs chart and now has earned both artists GRAMMY gold.
"Oh my Lord I am so excited to have won the Grammy with Pentatonix on my old song Jolene," says Dolly Parton. "I am so happy and am so very proud of Pentatonix. The song is one of my favorites. Thanks to the Grammys, but most importantly thanks to all the fans. I love you all."
The 2017 GRAMMY win gives Dolly her eighth competitive win and the second for Pentatonix. In 2011, the organization honored Dolly with the GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award. She received her first trophy with "Here You Come Again" in 1978 followed by two wins for "9 to 5" (Best Country Song & Best Female Country Vocal Performance) 1981, "Trio" (Best Country Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal) 1987, "After The Gold Rush" (Best Country Collaboration With Vocals) 1999, "The Grass Is Blue" (Best Bluegrass Album) 2000, and "Shine" (Best Female Country Vocal Performance) 2001.
Watch the original music video of "Jolene" by Pentatonix featuring Dolly Parton.
Dolly Parton will return to the GRAMMYS thanks to a collaboration with the award-winning a cappella group, Pentatonix and her timeless hit, "Jolene."
Dolly sang her way to two GRAMMY nominations back in 1974 and 1975 both for Best Female Country Vocal Performance with "Jolene," first with the album followed by a live performance the next year. Since then, the song has enticed countless artists to cover the tune including Olivia Newton John, Norah Jones, Alison Krauss, Kelly Clarkson, (Dolly's goddaughter) Miley Cyrus and The White Stripes.
While other artists enjoy singing it and have created beautiful versions of their own, "Jolene" the song, unlike the starring character within it, has been faithful to its creator. An international audience of over 180,000 fans gathered at the Glastonbury Festival in 2014 and sang along to “Jolene” during the record-setting appearance. The event staff even prepared a choreographed dance for the song.
The GRAMMY-nominated Pentatonix recording of “Jolene” features Dolly’s angelic vocals. Before receiving the nomination for Best Country Duo/Group Performance it debuted at No. 18 on the Hot Country Songs chart making Dolly the first and only artist with top 20 hits on Hot Country Songs in the ’60s, ’70s, ’80s, ’90s, ’00s & ’10s.
Dolly's most recent nomination was back in 2013 when she and long-time friend and duet partner Kenny Rogers received a GRAMMY nomination for Best Country Duo/Group Performance with "You Can't Make Old Friends." She has a total of seven GRAMMY wins and in 2011 she was honored with a GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award.
Watch the 59th GRAMMY Awards live on CBS on Feb. 12 at 8 p.m. EST.
