Tag Archives: Dolly Parton

CBS News reports: Singer Elle King took the stage at the Grand Ole Opry for a Dolly Parton tribute on Friday, admitting to the crowd she was hammered before botching the words to a Parton song. The expletive-laden performance, which occurred on Parton’s birthday, was criticized by audience members and prompted an apology from the venue. Videos on social media …

The Messenger reports: Dolly Parton paid a debt of gratitude to a fellow big-haired, blonde icon doing important political work in the state of Texas. The country music legend sent a custom guitar to drag performer Brigitte Bandit, who has been a fierce advocate for the rights of drag queens and queer youth in her home state. “Never did I …

Courthouse News reports: A federal court in Wisconsin declined to dismiss a teacher’s First Amendment retaliation claim against the school district that fired her for publishing a tweet critical of its decision to prohibit her first-graders from singing “Rainbowland” by Miley Cyrus and Dolly Parton at a school concert. She has shown that her employment was terminated for exercising her …

Milwaukee’s Fox affiliate reports: A Waukesha teacher asked kids to sing a Miley Cyrus song, but administrators say it’s too controversial for elementary school. The song is called “Rainbowland.” It’s a duet between Cyrus and country star Dolly Parton. Superintendent Jim Sebert confirmed that “Rainbowland” was dropped from the set list. He cited a specific school board policy, saying: “It …

Fortune reports: Jeff Bezos named Dolly Parton the latest recipient of his Courage and Civility award, handing the music legend $100 million to direct to any charities she chooses. “She gives with her heart. What she’s done for kids, and literacy, and so many other things, is just incredible,” Bezos, 58, said in a video posted on social media. “I’ve …

Knoxville’s ABC News affiliate reports: Dollywood’s parent company is picking up the education tab for all of its employees, beginning this year. Herschend Enterprises is the operating partner of Dollywood and the nation’s largest privately-owned themed attractions corporation. This week the company announced it will cover 100% of employees’ tuition, fees and books for employees who wish to further their …

The Associated Press reports: Dolly Parton, Eminem, Lionel Richie, Duran Duran and A Tribe Called Quest are among this year’s first-time nominees for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The Cleveland-based institution announced 17 artists and groups being considered for Rock Hall induction, including Rage Against the Machine, Pat Benatar, Dionne Warwick, Carly Simon, Judas Priest, Beck, …

First, a flashback to last year: In April, less than a month after Covid-19 was officially declared a pandemic, Dolly Parton donated $1 million to coronavirus research at Vanderbilt University. More than seven months later, it’s been revealed that the legendary performer’s donation helped fund Moderna’s Covid-19 vaccine. Parton’s name appears in the preliminary report on the vaccine among sponsors …

Nashville’s NBC News affiliate reports: Dolly Parton is grateful for the Tennessee legislature’s consideration of a bill to install a statue of her on the Capitol grounds but doesn’t think this is an appropriate time to do so. Dolly Parton went on to Twitter to express her gratitude and her opinion on the bill, indicating that she had asked the …

The Today Show reports: The queen of country, 75, told TODAY in an interview that former President Donald Trump’s administration tried to give her the nation’s highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, twice but she had to turn them down. “I couldn’t accept it because my husband was ill and then they asked me again about it and …

The Hill reports: Former President Obama says it was a major “screw up” of his administration that he failed to honor Dolly Parton with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. “That’s a mistake. I’m shocked,” Obama said Monday on CBS’ “The Late Show” after host Stephen Colbert asked how it was possible the “9 to 5” singer hadn’t received the country’s …

The Guardian reports: It’s truly the greatest gift of all: a $1 million donation by Dolly Parton to coronavirus vaccine research supported the development of the Moderna vaccine, which shows 95% protection from the virus. In April, Parton donated to research after her friend Dr Naji Abumrad of the Vanderbilt Institute for Infection, Immunology and Inflammation at Vanderbilt University in …

The Washington Post reports: Country music legend Dolly Parton has been called a lot of things over the course of her five-decade career: singer, songwriter, actress and cartoon character (her words). But none of those titles has meant more to the 72-year-old than the one she celebrated at the Library of Congress: “book lady.” Parton is the founder of Imagination …

The Knoxville News Sentinel reports: Dolly Parton’s Pigeon Forge dinner attraction, Dixie Stampede, has a new name. It’s now known as Dolly Parton’s Stampede, according to a news release from World Choice Investments. It also has a location in Branson, Missouri. Parton explained in the press release that the change streamlines the name of the show, will remove any confusion …

ABC News reports: Guest cabins at Dollywood have been evacuated amid a series of raging wildfires nearby in Tennessee, according to a representative for the resort and the state’s emergency management agency. The news comes as the town of Gatlinburg and nearby communities, including a portion of Pigeon Forge, where Dollywood is located, have come under a mandatory evacuation order. …

Over two million views overnight. Via Entertainment Weekly: Grammy-winning a cappella group Pentatonix delivered a special rendition of Dolly Parton’s hit “Jolene” with an added bonus: The Queen of Country herself. As shown in video posted to the group’s YouTube channel, Parton updated the iconic melody by claiming center stage for the performance, while Pentatonix sang back-up. “Singing with [Pentatonix] …

Last weekend I had the pleasure of hearing Cyndi Lauper perform this Dolly Parton classic at her annual Home For The Holidays concert for homeless LGBT kids. Cyndi has now released the track. Rolling Stone reports: While recording her upcoming country album in Nashville, Cyndi Lauper’s hotel featured an inspirational phrase above the artwork. In lights, it said, “What Would …

Via Digital Spy: Dolly Parton has revealed that she would like to work on a dance anthem. The country singer spoke about her gay following during a press conference last week, saying that she hopes her fans “relate” to her more than her music, but added she wants to work on some more upbeat anthems. “At some point I would …

Stereogum raves: To be clear: Dolly Parton won Glastonbury simply by showing up. The 68-year-old country music legend is not the type to show up at every festival every summer, but she blessed the UK’s biggest one with her presence this past weekend. She also figured out a way to pay tribute to her host country in the most adorable …

Billboard reviews: Dolly Parton has just released a new video, “Home,” from her hit “Blue Smoke” album. The playful video follows Parton as she prepares for a photo shoot. True to form, her wardrobe is colorful throughout, and she even breaks out the banjo for part of the clip. The decidedly poppy song is a heartwarmer about, well, home. “I’ll …