Due to the recent flooding that has devastated much of Middle Tennessee, Dolly Parton and her Smoky Mountain businesses are reaching out to help, seeking to return the favor the area received after the 2016 wildfires. Dolly was moved to help after seeing the damage caused in Humphreys County, the home of her good friend, country music legend Loretta Lynn. Loretta was quick to offer her support to the Smokies in 2016, so Dolly was inspired to reciprocate the gesture. Dolly, through Dollywood and her Pigeon Forge dinner show properties—Dolly Parton’s Stampede Dinner Attraction, Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show and Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Feud—has raised $700,000, a portion of ticket sales from October 2-3, to benefit the United Way of Humphreys County, the charity selected by Loretta.
“After the Sevier County wildfires in 2016, Loretta was one of the first who reached out to offer anything she could,” Dolly said. “It meant so much to me that Loretta—and so many folks—were ready to give in any way they could. This was just one small way I could help Loretta’s people for all they did to help my people.”
Several counties were affected, but Humphreys County received the most damage. More than 20 people lost their lives due to the catastrophic flooding, caused by more than 15 inches of rain that fell in a relatively short period of time in late August. Loretta’s ranch in Hurricane Mills was severely damaged by the flooding, and ranch foreman Wayne Spears was tragically swept away in the floodwaters.
For anyone interested in donating directly to the United Way of Humphreys County, please visit unitedwayhumphreys.org for more information.
On Aug. 30, 2002, Country Music Television started its three-part series "The 40 Greatest Women of Country Music," hosted by actor Billy Campbell. Dolly claimed the No. 4 spot, behind Patsy Cline, Tammy Wynette and Loretta Lynn, who placed one through three, respectively.
Dolly is interviewed throughout and several of her songs are highlighted, including "Here You Come Again" and "Dumb Blonde." The show also featured interviews with other artists like Emmylou Harris and Barbara Mandrell, who commented on Dolly’s illustrious career and contributions to country music.
According to CMT, the list was selected by hundreds of artists, music historians, music journalists, and music industry professionals who considered every aspect of what a great artist is, from her musically groundbreaking body of work to her overall contributions to the ever-changing world of country music. Country music historian Robert K. Oerman said of Dolly during the special,
"No one can touch her. No one can touch the hem of her dress as far as I'm concerned."
In September 1987, Dolly hosted her second variety show. The television variety show’s format was similar to "The Carol Burnett Show," a popular show in the late 70s.
Guest stars included country stars Tammy Wynette and Merle Haggard as well as television stars Bruce Willis, Tom Selleck and Oprah Winfrey. Dolly’s creative input helped the show evolve into a more down home feeling, a sharp contrast to the more lavish earlier episodes. She closed each show just as she did her previous variety series, with her signature self-penned hit "I Will Always Love You."
