With the successful launch of Dollywood in 1986, Dolly’s attention quickly turned to working with the management of the park to identify ways to better serve the children of Sevier County. Although for many years she provided money to help the Sevier County High School band with scholarships, she wanted to do even more for the kids in her hometown.
All agreed there was a need for a foundation to establish and fund these good works. In April of 1988, The Dollywood Foundation was created. The original board members were Dolly, Ted Miller, Barbara Joines, Ken Bell, Charles Kite, Edna Rogers, Jo Blalock, Bob DeBusk, Ann Warden and Jack Parton.
The initial effort was targeted at providing scholarships for seniors at the local high schools and interestingly enough, to encourage the members of Dolly’s fan club to do more to help children. This was an important first step for a home-grown foundation on a journey that would ultimately lead to a global presence positively impacting the lives of millions of children.
On the same night that she won Favorite Female Performer In a New TV Show, Dolly received a second People's Choice Award. She was greeted with a surprise when her long-time friend Kenny Rogers presented the honor. In her acceptance speech, she talked about her many years in show business and thanked her fans. Dolly said,
“I have loved every year I’ve spent [in this business], even the heartaches and the hard times... I've always loved the fans because it’s always the fans that keep you going.”
Past winners include Carol Burnett, Barbra Streisand and Barbara Mandrell.
The 14th Annual People's Choice Awards were telecast on CBS and hosted by Barbara Mandrell and Carl Reiner.
Dolly wins People's Choice Award for Favorite Female Performer in a New TV Show for herr self-titled show, "Dolly," which began airing on ABC in September of 1987.
Dolly talked about what motivated her to try the variety show,
''I convinced them that I should be on television. I felt I was sitting around waiting for good scripts for the movies; I wasn't on the road (doing concerts) so much. So I just decided now was the time for me to do a TV show.”
The other nominees were Lisa Bonet in "A Different World" and Linda Hamilton in "Beauty and the Beast." In her acceptance speech Dolly said,
“I want to thank all of you very much for voting for me as your favorite because it’s very much an honor to be nominated for any of these awards and it’s really a great honor to win, especially when the people vote for you.”
That same night, Dolly received the award for All-Around Female Entertainer presented to her by Kenny Rogers.
The 14th Annual People's Choice Awards were telecast on CBS and hosted by Barbara Mandrell and Carl Reiner.
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."
As one more way to showcase her love for the Smoky Mountains, Dolly’s newest addition to Dollywood was built into the mountains surrounding the park. Mountain Slidewinder takes you on a journey through the actual mountain terrain as you make your way to the boarding station for this water toboggan thriller. Families slide down the mountainside along high-banked curves at breathtaking speeds.
She also added something for the family members who prefer to stay on dry land, with her addition of Daydream Ridge. The play area has a log climbing structure and children’s rides at the base of Mountain Slidewinder.
