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.
All photos courtesy of Curtis Hilbun
On Friday, May 5, Grand Marshal and hometown girl, Dolly Parton, led the 32nd Annual Dolly Homecoming Parade. She waved to the crowd lining the route down the Parkway. This year she sat atop a Dollywood-sponsored float celebrating the Great Smoky Mountains. The float was dedicated to those she affectionately calls “my people” with #SomeplaceSpecial and the words "Mountain Tough."
Dixie Stampede debuted their special 30th Anniversary float. The dinner attraction is celebrating their 30th season in Pigeon Forge, TN this year. The season marks the return of the Thundering Longhorns, a fan favorite, to the main show.
Additionally, Pigeon Forge’s newest show, Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain Adventures made their first appearance in the parade. The show opened this spring. Dolly Parton and resident storyteller AppleJack tell this thrilling story. Visitors can expect music, laughter, edge-of-your-seat special effects and thrilling specialty acts. The show features competitions, romance and much more.
The parade also featured a host of elaborately decorated floats from some of the area's most popular attractions. Music filled the air from marching bands. Veteran groups proudly walked the route and entertainers of all varieties brought smiles and laughter to everyone in attendance.
The annual event draws crowds upwards of 50,000 people. Folks travel from near and far for the chance to experience the excitement and to welcome Dolly home.
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As part of an exciting weekend of events including the 32nd Annual Dolly Homecoming Parade on Friday, Dollywood introduced park guests to Drop Line on Saturday, May 6!
Drop Line is a 230-ft. tall free-fall experience. It towers over Timber Canyon and provides an incredible view of the park before an exhilarating finish. The drop tower ride lifts Dollywood guests nearly 20 stories above the Canyon’s pool, before plummeting them back to the ground in a thrilling rush.
As the newest ride at Dollywood, Drop Line will only hold the title for a few months. Later this year, Whistle Punk Chaser will join the 2017 class of new rides at the park. This new junior coaster throws exciting twists and turns at younger loggers, helping prepare them for the day they can join their parents aboard the award-winning Thunderhead wooden coaster.
Find more information about Drop Line, Whistle Punk Chaser, the park’s award-winning shows, tickets and more at Dollywood.com.
Once again, the Smoky Mountain songbird will act as the Grand Marshal of the Annual Homecoming Parade given in her honor. Over 50,000 people are expected to line the route.
The line-up includes beautiful floats, lively marching bands, entertainers, veterans and more. Dolly will sit atop a specially designed float and wave to everyone in attendance.
This year, in honor of the grand opening of Smoky Mountain Adventures and in celebration of the 30th Anniversary at Dixie Stampede, eager parade watchers will have the chance to win tickets to both shows!
See Dolly’s Dinner Shows Giveaway
Before the parade starts, Dollywood and Smoky Mountain Adventures Dinner & Show have special Grand Opening events planned. Dolly will welcome everyone to a special show at Smoky Mountain Adventures. As a bonus, portions of that event will be live streamed on Facebook.
Visitors should arrive early to get a good spot. The parade will start at 6 PM. It begins at traffic light #6 and it will head toward Sevierville to traffic light #3 along the main parkway in Pigeon Forge, TN.
In past years, Dolly’s parade floats have featured some of Dollywood’s newest attractions including Mystery Mine, Wild Eagle, and FireChaser Express. This year will mark the parade debut of Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain Adventures. Also, Dixie Stampede will celebrate their 30th anniversary in Pigeon Forge, TN.
In 2013, Dolly Parton promised to deliver $300 million in expansion investments over 10 years to her Smoky Mountain businesses. Part of that plan included the 2015 opening of Dollywood's DreamMore Resort. The resort had been a dream of Dolly’s since first opening the park back in 1986.
In addition to the resort, two award-winning Dollywood roller coasters were built and a new dinner theater opened in Pigeon Forge. Current aspects of the investment plan include two new events and two family attractions coming to Dollywood. Dollywood's Splash Country is also expanding. This summer guests can expect to enjoy a new five-story tall family racing slide called TailSpin Racer.
With the current level and pace of investment, Dolly and her talented team will exceed $300 million in investments well ahead of their original timeline. Craig Ross, Dollywood President said,
“Our financial successes are based on our loyal customers and new consumers who have been sampling Dollywood thanks to smart investment and solid marketing. We will continue to fulfill Dolly's dreams and will continue to expand our lodging and entertainment offerings as the Great Smoky Mountains becomes a year-round destination."
A study commissioned in 2013 to project Dollywood's economic impact and future growth put its impact at $1.1 billion annually, creating more than 12,000 direct, indirect and induced jobs to the region. It was projected that Dollywood's 10-year investment would create 2,500 additional direct, indirect and induced jobs in the area and would pay $7 million in additional state and local taxes.
An updated study was conducted by Dr. Burton English and his team at The University of Tennessee. Results show Dollywood has already exceeded the projected levels after setting earnings records in each of the previous five years. Dollywood's impact is projected to exceed $1.84 billion annually. Also, the company expects to create more than 23,000 direct, indirect and induced jobs in the region.
Dollywood celebrated opening day on March 18 with the park’s annual Festival of Nations. The 2017 season is known as the “Year of the Family.” Dollywood will devote the year to creating getaway opportunities for families to make lasting memories and continue traditions.
Explore Dollywood’s "Year of the Family”
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