Tag Archives: Dolly Parton

The Daily Beast reports: Dolly Parton has called on Indiana’s governor to reverse course on plans to do away with her popular “Imagination Library” program. The country singer, who started the book gifting program to encourage early literacy, urged Gov. Mike Braun to reconsider the state’s proposed budget, which does not include the usual 50 percent matching funds provided to …

The Indiana Digest reports: Governor Mike Braun’s “Freedom and Opportunity” budget proposal is throwing the future of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library around the state into flux. Under the previous budget, the state matched donations from local partners making the program budget 50% donations and 50% funds from the state. The proposed budget removes that funding altogether. The program came to the Allen …

The Guardian reports: A Dolly Parton-themed musical had to be suspended mid-show in Manchester because of homophobic abuse, an actor in the production has said. Stevie Webb, who plays a superfan of the country music icon in Here You Come Again, said an incident at the Opera House last Wednesday resulted in the whole cast having to “leave the stage, …

Knoxville’s ABC affiliate reports: East Tennessee’s own Dolly Parton partnered with several Sevier County attractions and Walmart to make a significant donation to flood relief at an event Friday. The event took place at the Walmart in Newport, Tennessee. Parton announced she was making a $1 million donation to the Mountain Ways Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to providing immediate assistance …

Yahoo Entertainment reports: Federalist writer Ericka Andersen argued that if Parton is a Christian, as she proclaims, she should call out homosexuality as a sin. “Parton’s version of love, which includes condoning immoral sexual behavior (‘be who you are,’ she’s said), is unaligned with God’s vision for humanity,” Andersen wrote. But Andersen told Yahoo Entertainment on Saturday that the widespread …

Ericka Anderson writes for the far-right Federalist: Initially known for her songwriting skills and beauty, Parton has entered her golden years as a “secular American saint.” In a world where division is the default, she collects fans of every political stripe, refusing to denigrate anyone, and regularly proclaims, “I love everybody,” when asked how she does it. But Parton’s version …

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 …