They had one goal in mind, to raise funds for the victims of the Tennessee wildfires. The three-hour star-studded event was packed with beautiful performances, emotional stories and a collective message of hope.
Viewers pledged their support by calling, texting and going online to DollywoodFoundation.org.
The night's performances included songs by Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers, Hank Williams Jr., Chris Stapleton, Reba McEntire, Alison Krauss, Michael W. Smith, Chris Janson, Big & Rich, LOCASH, Chris Young, Montgomery Gentry, Jamey Johnson, Cyndi Lauper, Don McLean, Amy Grant, Alabama, Aaron Lewis and Rhonda Vincent.
The heroic efforts of the first responders were celebrated during the live telecast. Also, viewers were reminded of Sevier County's world-famous hospitality and renowned entertainment venues ready and waiting for them in East Tennessee. Dolly encouraged people to visit Sevier County and the Great Smoky Mountains.
Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam and First Lady Crissy Haslam made a special appearance, and several celebrities greeted viewers in heartfelt video messages including Katy Perry, Carrie Underwood, Larry King, Steve Harvey, Good Morning America’s Robin Roberts, Kiefer Sutherland, and Today Show’s Willie Geist.
Dolly shared her hosting duties with friends HLN’s Robin Meade, GAC’s Suzanne Alexander and Nan Kelly, The Bobby Bones Show’s Bobby Bones, SiriusXM’s Storme Warren, Crook & Chase hosts Lorianne Crook and Charlie Chase, NASH Nights LIVE’s Shaun Parr and Elaina D. Smith, and TuneIn Country Roads’ Kelly Sutton.
Celebrities donating their time to answer phones included: Paula Deen and her sons Bobby and Jamie, Chrisley Knows Best cast members Todd, Julie and Savannah, Moonshiners’ cast members Mark and Digger, Nashville’s Charles Esten, cast members of Dolly Parton’s Christmas of Many Colors, country hit-makers Chris & Morgane Stapleton, Terri Clark, Mark Wills, Lee Greenwood, Larry Gatlin, T.G. Sheppard, Highway 101's Paulette Carlson, John Conlee, Ronnie McDowell, Kristian Bush, Tim Rushlow, T. Graham Brown, Dolly’s nieces Rebecca Seaver and Danielle Parton, bluegrass hitmakers Lorraine Jordan and Darrin Vincent, comedian Henry Cho, KC of KC and the Sunshine Band, hot new country artists Brett Young, Cassadee Pope, RaeLynn, Danielle Bradbury, Lucas Hoge, Denny Strickland, songwriter Becky Hobbs, and members of the Tennessee Titans.
Nearly $500,000 of donations were committed before the Smoky Mountains Rise telethon began. The ACM donated $100,000 to the fund, with Taylor Swift matching the amount, while the CMA donated $125,000 accompanied by a matching donation by East Tennessean Kenny Chesney.
More than 1300 families have been displaced due to the wildfires which spread across Dolly’s home area of Sevier County, Tennessee in late November. The entertainment icon established the Dollywood Foundation My People Fund to provide $1000 each month for six months to every family who lost their primary residence. Currently, the monthly pledge is in excess of $1.3 million each month.
Donate Online At DollywoodFoundation.org
On Nov. 28, devastating wildfires burned some 17,000 acres in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The fires also affected parts of Gatlinburg and Sevier County, TN. Sadly, 14 people lost their lives in these terrible fires, and over 100 confirmed injuries were reported. Over 14,000 people were evacuated during the fires which damaged or destroyed more than 1,700 structures (homes, businesses and churches). In Gatlinburg alone, officials estimate the wildfires caused more than $500 million in damage.
Update December 11, 2016: The impressive lineup of performers continues to grow for Smoky Mountains Rise: A Benefit for the My People Fund on Tuesday, Dec. 13 at 8 p.m. (EST). Hank Williams Jr., Cyndi Lauper, Alabama, Don McLean, Ronnie Dunn, Jamey Johnson and Lauren Alaina have been added to the star-studded telecast, which will be broadcast on GAC, AXS-TV, RFD and The Heartland Network.
A number of celebrities will answer phones during the telethon. Paula Deen and her sons Bobby and Jamie, RaeLynn, Dailey & Vincent, Moonshiners’ Mark & Digger, T.G. Sheppard, Jason Crabb, Larry Gatlin, comedian Henry Cho, Tim Rushlow and more will help man the phone lines during the telethon. All of the celebrities are donating their time and performances to help the effort.
TELEVISION
AXS TV
GREAT AMERICAN COUNTRY (GAC)
RFD TV
THE HEARTLAND NETWORK
10News2
FOX43 WTNZ
MyVLT
SOCIAL MEDIA
DOLLY PARTON FACEBOOK
WBIR FACEBOOK
RADIO
CUMULUS MEDIA'S NASH NIGHTS LIVE
iHEART MEDIA'S DIGITAL AND SELECT ON-AIR PLATFORMS
TUNEIN'S COUNTRY ROADS CHANNEL
ONLINE
COMMERCIALAPPEAL.COM
DIXIESTAMPEDE.COM
DNJ.COM
DOLLYPARTON.COM
DOLLYWOODFOUNDATION.ORG
JACKSONSUN.COM
KNOXNEWS.COM
LUMBERJACKADVENTURE.COM
PIRATESVOYAGE.COM
TENNESSEAN.COM
THELEAFCHRONICLE.COM
USATODAY.COM AND USA TODAY NATIONAL NETWORKS
WBIR.COM
All artists are donating their performances to help the effort. Dolly said,
"I'm truly honored that these artists are giving their time and energy to help us raise money for everyone affected by the wildfires. I’ve got so many great friends in the industry, and I’m so proud that they were so ready to step up and help me help my people in the Smoky Mountains through this telethon and the My People Fund."
Update Dec. 9, 2016: Several famous names have been added to the growing list of celebrities set to perform during Smoky Mountains Rise: A Benefit for the My People Fund on Tuesday, Dec. 13 at 8 p.m. (EST). Chris Stapleton, Chris Young, Big & Rich, Michael W. Smith, Amy Grant, LOCASH, Chris Janson and Montgomery Gentry are just a few of the new names added to perform during the event, which also has added three new broadcast partners.
Dolly Parton and a number of her friends, including Reba McEntire, Kenny Rogers and Alison Krauss, are set to perform during Smoky Mountains Rise: A Benefit for the My People Fund on Tuesday, Dec. 13 at 8 p.m. (EST) on Great American Country (GAC). All proceeds (100%) from the telethon will benefit those displaced by the recent Smoky Mountain wildfires. Dolly said,
"My home in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee is some place special. Wildfires have affected many of the people—my people—who live in those beautiful mountains. We want to provide a hand up to those families who have lost everything in the fires. I know it has been a trying time for my people and this assistance will help get them back on their feet."
All money raised by the telethon will be distributed to families in need through the Dollywood Foundation’s My People Fund. This fund will provide $1000 each month for up to six months to Sevier County residents whose homes are uninhabitable or were completely destroyed in the recent Smoky Mountain wildfires. The fund raised more than $1 million in its first 36 hours, but the need is much greater. During the telethon, viewers will be asked to call 1-866-CARE MORE or 800-942-9026 to donate to the My People Fund.
Smoky Mountains Rise also will be simulcast across multiple radio chains, including iHeart Media's digital and select on-air platforms, Cumulus Media's NASH Nights LIVE, TuneIn's Country Roads channel, and several other platforms which are set to be announced shortly. Other celebrities joining Smoky Mountains Rise will be announced in the coming days.
Anyone who would like to make a tax-deductible contribution to the My People Fund may visit DollywoodFoundation.org. For those wishing to send donations via mail, those contributions should be sent to:
My People Fund
c/o Dollywood Foundation
111 Dollywood Lane
Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
Any family who lost their primary residence (renters and homeowners) due to the wildfires in Sevier County are eligible to receive assistance from the My People Fund. A pre-application for those affected is available at DollywoodFoundation.org. Completion of the pre-application is not required but is encouraged to expedite the distribution process.
The first funds will be distributed Dec. 15-16 and Dec. 19-20 from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. at the CARE MORE Assistance Center at the LeConte Events Center in Pigeon Forge, TN. One check per household per month will be issued. All recipients must show a photo I.D. Families can receive aid for up to six months. Anyone needing assistance in the application process should call 1-800-DOLLYWOOD.
In 2016, Dolly Parton lent her 1973 hit as well as her own vocals to the Grammy Award-winning, a capella group, Pentatonix. "Jolene" by Pentatonix featuring Dolly Parton 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.
The recording was a beautiful version of what has become one of Dolly's most recorded songs. Not only was the new version well received by critics and fans alike, but it has also garnered a 2017 Grammy nomination for Best Country Duo / Group Performance.
The nod brings Dolly's total Grammy Award nominations to 47. Will it become her eighth overall win? Time will tell on Feb. 12, 2017, when the 59th Annual Grammy Awards air live on CBS.
Fellow East Tennessee native, Kenny Chesney, joins Dolly and Pentatonix in the category.
Nominees For Best Country Duo / Group Performance
Dierks Bentley With Elle King, “Different for Girls”
Brothers Osborne, “21 Summer”
Kenny Chesney With Pink, “Setting the World on Fire”
Pentatonix With Dolly Parton, “Jolene”
Chris Young With Cassadee Pope, “Think of You”
Pentatonix performed "Jolene" with Jennifer Nettles at the CMT tribute to Dolly when she received the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award in November. They later joined Miley Cyrus on "The Voice" for another televised performance of "Jolene."
Watch the 59th Annual Grammy Awards live on CBS on Sunday, Feb. 12, 2017.
Dolly Parton will make a special guest appearance on NBC's "The Voice" on Nov. 29 where she will perform "Circle of Love" with Jennifer Nettles from her new movie set to air the following night. Dolly and the a cappella group Pentatonix will also join Miley Cyrus in a special performance of "Jolene."
Miley Cyrus, Dolly's goddaughter, has enjoyed an exciting season as a coach alongside Blake Shelton, Alicia Keys, Adam Levine and host Carson Daly.
Dolly's appearance on "The Voice" is just part of several guest spots in support of the new film. Dolly will grace the cover of the Nov 27th issue of "Parade" magazine and will have a feature in "US Weekly." She will appear on "The REAL," a daytime syndicated talk show on Nov. 30. Plus, viewers can catch Dolly on "Christmas In Rockefeller Center" which airs on NBC at 8 p.m. EST/7 p.m. CST, Nov. 30 just before the world premiere of "Dolly Parton's Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love."
Jennifer Nettles, Ricky Schroder, Gerald McCraney and Alyvia Alyn Lind will co-star in the upcoming holiday movie “Dolly Parton’s Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love” airing Wednesday, Nov. 30 at 9 p.m. EST/8 p.m. CST with Dolly Parton making a special guest appearance. In the two-hour movie, the Partons, a family of humble means living in the mountains of East Tennessee, face a devastating event that challenges 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.
All photos are courtesy of DollyParton.com.
Dolly Parton reunited with her fellow cast members on the red carpet at Dollywood to celebrate the premiere of Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love.
The all-star cast including Dolly Parton, Jennifer Nettles, Ricky Schroder, Alyvia Alyn Lind, and many more made their way down the red carpet along Dollywood’s Showstreet. Dolly greeted her fans and members of the media alongside Alyvia Alyn Lind who plays Little Dolly. When asked what the "Little Dolly" inside her would have to say about all the excitement of the night Dolly said,
"I still feel like that little girl, that's why I wanted Little Dolly, little Alyvia Lind, to be with me because it's really kind of like going back in time...I feel like Mama and Daddy is kind of right here with us, and it's very touching, and it's very emotional."
Jennifer Nettles shined as she talked about her role as Avie Lee. As Ricky Schroeder made his way down the red carpet, he shared his excitement to see the new film along with his fellow co-stars. Cameron Jones, a young New Zealand-born actor, was cast as Dolly's Uncle Bill Owens. Cameron joked to reporters about living up to his real-life counterpart's stellar good looks which have been something of a family treasure among the Partons.
Kelli Berglund, Mary Lane Haskell, Hannah Nordberg, Forrest Deal, Blane Crockarell along with many more stars from the film were on hand to pose for photos and talk to reporters from around the country. Several of Dolly's family were also in attendance including her Uncle Bill, many of her brothers and sisters, several nieces and nephews, and other members of her extended family.
The event also drew a few Hollywood A-list stars including Rebecca Romijn and her husband, Jerry O'Connell. Rebecca is a huge Dolly Parton fan, so much so that she named her daughter after Dolly. Little Dolly Rebecca and her sister Charlie Tamara were there sharing their excitement to be at Dollywood for the premiere of the film.
The park was open for general admission attendees as well who were delighted to catch a glimpse of some of their favorite stars from the film. Many of them had stood behind the red velvet ropes for well over four hours in anticipation of Dolly's arrival along with the other stars of the new film.
The Coca-Cola Refresh Team brought the Coca-Cola Polar Bear to make photos for guests in attendance. Coca-Cola also offered special holiday beverage samplings.
Once the red carpet activities commenced, everyone gathered inside Dollywood's Showstreet Palace theater to watch "Dolly Parton's Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love."
Following the film viewing, the cast and special VIPs enjoyed hor d’oeuvres, desserts and beverages around Dolly’s Chasing Rainbows Museum. Everyone was treated to Dollywood's all new Parade of Many Colors at the end of the night.
Last December, just in time for Christmas, Dolly delighted viewers and critics alike with her deeply heartwarming tale drawn straight from her inspiring real life and music. In the all-new holiday sequel, the Partons, a family of humble means living in the mountains of Tennessee, face a devastating event that challenges 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.
"Dolly Parton's Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love" airs on November 30 on NBC at 9/8c.
