dolly parton better day tour

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Dolly Parton Talks Worldwide Tour, New Record ‘Better Day’

Dolly Parton talks about her 39-date worldwide tour and her new record, "Better Day Now."

By Phil Gallo

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On July 17, Dolly Parton will embark on a 39-date tour of the United States, Europe and Australia in support of her second studio album for her own Dolly Records , “Better Day,” which arrived June 28. Originally from Sevierville, Tenn., Parton, 65, has charted 25 No. 1 singles and 41 top 10 country albums during a career that spans five decades. “Better Day Now,” her 41st studio set, is the first album from the legendary singer/songwriter since she ventured onto Broadway with “9 to 5: The Musical” in 2009. Three songs from the musical-“I Just Might,” “Let Love Grow” and “Shine Like the Sun”-appear on the new album.

1. You’ve said that the songs on the album are thematically linked, in that they are all inspirational. How did that concept come about?

Every project calls for something different, and on this [one] I wanted a lot of colors. I wanted to do something uplifting so even in the losing songs, I’m saying you’re going to pick up the pieces. We actually did demo a lot of songs for this . . . and it seemed that with everything being so doomsday-terrorists and bad weather and unemployment-we need a little sunshine. I know I can sing a good sad song, but people hate to hear me sing them. I wanted to do something people would want to hear.

2. After more than a decade of always throwing in a cover song, your new album is all originals, something you haven’t done since “Hungry Again” in 1998. Was that a deliberate choice?

It’s just how it worked out. “Country Is As Country Does” was a song I wrote with Mac Davis a few years ago and it just seemed to fit. Like the few things from “9 to 5.” I enjoy singing them and they fit, too.

3. You’re rehearsing for your tour. How many new songs are you adding to your set?

I got about five: “Together You & I,” “Better Day,” “Shine Like the Sun,” “The Sacrifice”-which is my life story-and “In the Meantime.”

4. Now that you have done two studio albums for Dolly Records — in addition to a live album and the “9 to 5” cast album — what effect is having your own record company having on your career?

It just made sense when we started. No real big label was interested in me as a recording artist and I didn’t think of myself as a has-been. I couldn’t get a decent contract with a label that would present me as an artist and not as a personality. I’ll always be writing songs so this has turned out real good for me. I probably have eight people working for [the label], handling all the Twitter and Facebook things and promotions.

5. The producer of “9 to 5,” Bob Greenblatt , is now running NBC. Any chance of the two of you working together in TV?

I’m very proud of what he’s done so far, things like “The Voice,” but I haven’t pushed anything on him yet. When we did “9 to 5,” I said, “If I come out [to Los Angeles], you owe me,” so we have gone back and forth paying each other back. We enjoyed working together, so if I had something for TV, I’d call him.

6. You have always been pegged as a sharp businesswoman. Of everything you are involved in, which do you see having the greatest future?

I enjoy doing all of it. I just did a movie with Queen Latifah , “Joyful Noise,” that comes out Jan. 12. So if that movie does good, maybe I’ll do more. I still love Dollywood and Imagination Library, my literacy project, and I could never give up music. It was a song that got me out of [the Smoky Mountains], and it’s a song that has gotten me everywhere.

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Dolly Parton Kicks Off Her Better Day World Tour

Dolly Parton launched her Better Day World Tour with a performance at the Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tenn. just a few nights ago. The iconic songstress maintained her usual character, and as you can tell from these pictures, offered fans some theatrical faces in addition to classic tunes like 'Jolene' and new hits like ' Together You and I ' from her new album, 'Better Day.'

The singer and her tour will continue rolling tonight with a show in Dallas, Texas, before making their way out to California. As it's a world tour, Miss Parton will pack her bags for a trip over the pond -- to Glasgow, U.K. -- for a show on August 3 before returning to a few southern states in October. The 'Better Day' tour wraps up in Australia two days after Thanksgiving.

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All Setlists

• All setlist songs  ( 740 )

Years on tour

• 2023  ( 8 )
• 2022  ( 3 )
• 2021  ( 2 )
• 2020  ( 5 )
• 2019  ( 5 )
• 2017  ( 2 )
• 2016  ( 67 )
• 2015  ( 3 )
• 2014  ( 44 )
• 2013  ( 1 )
• 2012  ( 1 )
• 2011  ( 53 )
• 2010  ( 3 )
• 2009  ( 3 )
• 2008  ( 64 )
• 2007  ( 28 )
• 2006  ( 7 )
• 2005  ( 41 )
• 2004  ( 42 )
• 2003  ( 4 )
• 2002  ( 26 )
• 2001  ( 3 )
• 2000  ( 4 )
• 1996  ( 1 )
• 1995  ( 1 )
• 1993  ( 30 )
• 1992  ( 32 )
• 1991  ( 15 )
• 1990  ( 27 )
• 1989  ( 15 )
• 1988  ( 5 )
• 1987  ( 8 )
• 1986  ( 7 )
• 1985  ( 29 )
• 1984  ( 5 )
• 1983  ( 3 )
• 1982  ( 18 )
• 1981  ( 10 )
• 1980  ( 1 )
• 1979  ( 12 )
• 1978  ( 28 )
• 1977  ( 41 )
• 1976  ( 9 )
• 1975  ( 10 )
• 1974  ( 2 )
• 1973  ( 3 )
• 1972  ( 3 )
• 1971  ( 2 )
• 1970  ( 2 )
• 1969  ( 1 )
• 1967  ( 1 )

Show all tours

• An Evening with Dolly Parton  ( 34 )
• Backwoods Barbie  ( 64 )
• Better Day Tour  ( 54 )
• Blue Smoke  ( 25 )
• Halos & Horns  ( 25 )
• Hello, I'm Dolly  ( 41 )
• Pure & Simple  ( 64 )
• The Vintage Tour  ( 41 )
• White Limozeen  ( 1 )
• Avg Setlist
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Average setlist for tour: Better Day Tour

Note: only considered 16 of 54 setlists (ignored empty and strikingly short setlists)

• Light of a Clear Blue Morning Play Video
• Walking on Sunshine ( Katrina and the Waves  cover) Play Video
• Baby I'm Burnin' Play Video
• Jolene Play Video
• Rocky Top ( Felice & Boudleaux Bryant  cover) Play Video
• Mule Skinner Blues (Blue Yodel No. 8) ( Jimmie Rodgers  cover) Play Video
• Help! ( The Beatles  cover) Play Video
• Shine ( Collective Soul  cover) Play Video
• Stairway to Heaven ( Led Zeppelin  cover) Play Video
• My Tennessee Mountain Home Play Video
• Precious Memories ( John Wright  cover) Play Video
• Coat of Many Colors Play Video
• Smoky Mountain Memories Play Video
• Son of a Preacher Man ( Dusty Springfield  cover) Play Video
• Better Day Play Video
• Together You and I Play Video
• Holding Everything Play Video
• He Will Take You Higher Play Video
• He's Everything Play Video
• White Limozeen Play Video
• The Sacrifice Play Video
• Little Sparrow Play Video
• River Deep, Mountain High ( Ellie Greenwich  cover) Play Video
• Here You Come Again ( Barry Mann  cover) Play Video
• Islands in the Stream ( Bee Gees  cover) Play Video
• 9 to 5 Play Video
• In the Meantime Play Video
• Two Doors Down Play Video
• I Will Always Love You Play Video

Show Openers

Main set closers, show closers, encores played.

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Dolly Parton’s Days Just Keep Getting Better

Dolly Parton knows a lot of people see her as a ray of sunshine, so she's going to keep on shining no matter what storms are clouding up her world. The country music icon has taken it upon herself to bring a little joy in times of trouble, releasing what is arguably the happiest of all her 41 studio albums, ' Better Day .' With her Christian roots running deep throughout the project, the 65-year-old songbird sends messages of hope and love on this album that was greatly inspired by all the bad news she's been reading in the papers and seeing on television lately, from the prediction this past May of the end of the world to floods and tornadoes that have devastated so many Southern and Midwestern towns.

The Boot was invited to Dolly's Nashville offices to talk to the living legend about the new CD -- her second for her own Dolly Records, following 2008's ' Backwoods Barbie .' Dressed in a cropped white jacket with eyelet lace detail, skinny black pants and sky-high heels, the perfectly coiffed Dolly, looking lovely as ever, greets us bright and early just two days before her Better Day World Tour begins. She sits down in front of a rack displaying her tour wardrobe -- a rainbow of custom-made, sequined dresses -- to talk to us about several tracks on 'Better Day,' the "love fest" she experiences on tour and how the price of fame is just chump change.

Given the optimistic and spiritual themes that run through this CD, how would you say this project reflects where you are in life?

When I started thinking about putting this CD together, I thought, "What do I want to talk about?" I love to write sad songs, but people don't want see me sad and people don't want to be sad themselves. So I tried to write and find songs out of my catalog that were uplifting. I did a few songs that were from the Broadway musical, ' 9 to 5 ,' that I was lucky enough to write. I picked those songs with that ray of hope and promise ... With all the wars and storms, and all the doomsday sayers saying [the world is] going to end, I thought, "We don't need all of that. Only God knows if that's going to happen. Let's do something to lift the human spirit."

One song in particular, 'In the Meantime,' is about people who are worried about the end of the world. What was your reaction back in May when people were predicting the apocalypse?

All these doomsday sayers [are] telling you that the world is going to end today, tomorrow, next year or the 12th of May next year ... because somebody's calendar has run out or somebody has some proof somewhere. The song is about the fact that only God knows when the end is coming. That's what the scripture says: not anyone else but God. People just run around so terrified about all the aliens and earthquakes and things going on that people actually forget to live in the moment. What about now? What about just thinking about life and living? We are so consumed with fear that the joy of living is lost. What are we going to do in the meantime? Think about loving one another. Think about making changes. Try to do a little better, try to make friends and try to be a little more forgiving. Just make the most of now because when and if it does come, you'll be a little more prepared. You won't have to make so many excuses to God.

You wrote all songs but one on 'Better Day' by yourself. What's the advantage to writing solo?

I love to write, and I usually write by myself. If I'm going through things sad or happy, or if I see people I love going through things, I write for them, too. It's great self-expression. Songwriting is my favorite thing I do. God has been kind to allow me that talent. I love to rhyme things, so life is a song to me whether it's good, bad or indifferent ... I still think of it with a melody. It meant a lot to me to get to do this particular CD, to give people a little more insight to how I feel. People always seem to get some sort of a lift from me ... They always say, "You always look so happy." I say, "Well, that's the Botox!" [ laughs ]

The CD's first single, 'Together You and I,' is a song you originally sang with Porter Wagoner back in 1974. To me, it's a unique love song in that it's about having confidence in love -- a rare thing for women. What was the inspiration behind it?

When I wrote it, I thought that it covered a lot of territory. It could be the relationship between two people, it could be a relationship between you and God, it can be partners in business ... Same way with 'I Will Always Love You' -- when I wrote that, I was shocked at how many ways people took that. People played that song at funerals and graduations and at weddings ... We all want to believe there is such thing as true love and that true love can last forever. Love, of course, is a universal thing. It doesn't have to be limited to that, but that little song is just about "love that lasts forever ... we'll always be together, you and I."

'The Sacrifice' is a very autobiographical tune. What has Dolly Parton, the little girl from East Tennessee, had to sacrifice to become Dolly Parton, the worldwide celebrity?

Whatever your dreams are, whether you want to be a doctor or a manager or whatever you want to do, you've got to know that in order to get to where you want to go, you've gotta keep the momentum going. You can't just work at it a day or two, you've gotta be steady with it and you have to make sacrifices. Certainly early on in my career, I wanted to have things, I wanted to travel and I wanted to be loved. I wanted to be on stage, and I wanted to have money ... coming from someone who knew what it was like to be without it. I just thought, "If I am gonna get to where I really want to go, I'm going to have to be willing to make any sacrifice it takes." I certainly paid my dues ... I seem like a happy person, and I am. I have a happy heart. But I've been through heartache, I've known my sorrows. I paid my major prices for my career, but I wouldn't trade it for nothing. Yes, it's been worth the sacrifice.

What about the sacrifice of anonymity? Does your fame ever overwhelm you?

I always try to balance whether fame has been worth it or not, but I haven't missed out on anything, because I do as I please. People say, "Oh, you can't even go to a restaurant." I say, "I most certainly can!" I know the time of day I can go when it won't be as crowded. Still, I always know there are going to be a certain amount of people who will come up and say hello or will want an autograph or bring their kid by the table. I'm not one of those artists where they just go into a panic about that. I would probably feel worse if nobody recognized me or paid me any attention, since everything I've done is for attention! Of course, I can't go into a Walmart in the middle of the day. I'm lucky that I have people who will go out and shop for me, but if I want to go to the grocery store -- which I do love to cook -- I'll go at midnight or in the wee hours. When I have special company or I'm wanting to do something special, I'll go find my own groceries because there are certain things I like that I don't trust other people to find. You make a way. You make your sacrifice.

How are you changing things up on tour this year?

I've added a lot of the songs from the 'Better Day' CD. To open, we do a piece of 'Shine Like the Sun' mixed with 'Walking on Sunshine' to get it off with a good sparkling at the beginning. The whole show, I purposely tried to do it more uplifting. We also added songs from 'A Joyful Noise,' the movie I have coming out on January 12 with Queen Latifah . We added some bluegrass stuff that the fans haven't seen before. We actually do a little more choreography ... I do a little bit of dancing, which I've never done before. We just tried to make it all happy with the exception of those few tender songs like 'Coat of Many Colors' and songs like that we must do because people love those songs.

You do sing 'Coat of Many Colors' and other classics like 'Jolene' and 'I Will Always Love You' in every show and have been doing so for years, never leaving the stage without performing those beloved songs we all know by heart. That being said, does touring ever get monotonous?

People ask if I get tired of singing the same songs every night. You really don't think of it like that, because when you look and see the people there, you didn't sing it to them last night. You're singing to them tonight , so it's new to them. They want you to sing it to them. That brings on a newness to you as a singer. You don't sing it the same way every night; you perform it to that face or from that feeling you get from a fan. I never get tired of it ... I love getting out on stage. I stand backstage waiting to go on, and I get a little nervous and get butterflies and get pacing in my skull kinda like a race horse, but once the light hits, there's nothing else I can do but get out there and do my best. The fans have always been very accepting of me, and I love them for it.

Tell us the feeling of hearing the audience sing your lyrics back to you, word for word.

I love to perform. I love the people. I look out in the audience, and I see friends, family and faces that I know. I know they paid good money to see me, so I know they want to be there. I know it's my place to make sure they got their money's worth. There is kind of a love fest between an artist and the audience. If they are true fans and you are the right kind of artist, you appreciate them because they are the ones that pay your bills. I am a gypsy, too, so I love doing the one-nighters. I love traveling around seeing the different crowd every night.

Do you have any pre-show rituals? And how long does it take you to get ready?

As far as the actual getting ready, I can be ready in an hour! But usually, I spend all afternoon on my tour bus, because I live on my tour bus, which I love. My friend Judy and I ... I say, "I'm gonna try on some different clothes. I don't know what mood I'm in today." I judge what I wear by the mood I'm in or the feeling I get from the day. Even if I plan to wear something else, I prepare three outfits, maybe even four, the day before, because when it gets closer to show time, I may want to change colors. I may want to be yellow, or I may want to be blue. I may want to wear white and black or just white. I spend all afternoon thinking about the show. I do a little voice warm-up and get my smile going. I smile a lot to get my energy going. I have a process that I've been doing for so long. It's a routine that I love and when it comes show time, I'm ready and I go backstage and say my little prayer and ask God to lead me and let me shine and let me be a joy to people ... and let me enjoy it myself.

You've written more songs than there are stars in the sky. Have you ever forgotten a lyric in concert?

Well, you can't write and sing as many songs as I have throughout the years and not forget what you're doing ... even though you sing them over and over. It is a funny thing about an artist: you think of things as you're performing. I think ahead, because I'm so familiar with the songs, but by doing that, every once in awhile, I will forget. I have a teleprompter usually, even though these are songs I've sung 100 times. Even if I do miss, my fans are very forgiving. Sometimes I just stop the show and say, "Well, I screwed that part up pretty good. Let's start again!" Or I'll just change it into something else. I don't worry about it. I'm professional, but not a perfectionist. Not everything has to be perfect. What is perfect, anyway? A fan might have thought it was perfect that I was having so much fun messing up!

You could play the Staples Center and Madison Square Garden and call it a day. But instead, you're hitting a lot of smaller towns in both the U.S. and Australia. Is it important to you to keep visiting the smaller places?

I like to be out there where my true fans are. It's great playing the big auditoriums, whether it's Madison Square Garden or wherever, but I love to do the smaller towns like Albuquerque or Valdosta, Ga., because that's where my early fans were and a lot of them are still there. I'm a rural person, myself ... I grew up knowing what it's like to give anything if I could have gone to see some spectacular show with someone I liked. It's important to play to all your crowds. You never should get so big that you think you're too good for that. Once you get there, you'll be out.

Finish this sentence: "To me, retirement is ___."

Retirement is for the birds, not for me!

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Dolly Parton Announces New Album, Better Day , Tour

by Evan Schlansky May 23, 2011, 10:21 am 2 Comments

Videos by American Songwriter

On the heel’s of 2008’s Backwoods Barbie , Dolly Parton has announced that she will release Better Day , her latest album of all new material, on Dolly Records on June 28. Parton will celebrate the album’s release with a summer tour that will include two nights at the Hollywood Bowl. After that, she’ll head overseas and make her return to London’s 02 arena, where she filmed 2009’s concert film Live From London .

You can watch Parton perform the lead single, “Together You And I,” on the Ellen DeGeneres show on Friday, May 27.

Better Day Track Listing:

In The Meantime Just Leaving Missing You Together You & I Country Is Holding Everything The Sacrifice I Just Might Better Day Shine Like The Sun Get Out Let Love Grow

Dolly Parton U.S. Tour Dates

DATE CITY VENUE

Sun 7/17 Knoxville, TN U. of Tennessee/Thompson Boling Arena Tue 7/19 Dallas, TX Verizon Theatre Grand Prairie Wed 7/20 Albuquerque, NM Sandia Casino Fri 7/22 Los Angeles, CA Hollywood Bowl Sat 7/23 Los Angeles, CA Hollywood Bowl Sun 7/24 Concord, CA Concord Pavilion Wed 7/27 Prior Lake, MN Mystic Lake Casino Thu 7/28 Chicago, IL Rosemont Theater Sat 7/30 Wallingford, CT Toyota Presents Oakdale Theatre Sun 7/31 Vienna, VA Wolf Trap Tue 8/2 Durham, NC Durham Performing Arts Center Wed 8/3 Alpharetta, GA Verizon Wireless Amphitheater @ Encore Park

For more information, please visit http://www.dollypartonmusic.net .

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Disney Faces Mass Exodus Amid Dolly Parton Scandal

in Disney Parks , Theme Parks

Disney has fallen from its reign as king of the theme parks, thanks to Dolly Parton.

The Walt Disney World Resort, located in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, has captivated imaginations since its 1971 opening. Spanning a vast 25,000 acres (the size of San Francisco), it’s a meticulously designed entertainment complex offering an unforgettable experience for visitors of all ages.

Walt Disney World’s enduring popularity stems from several factors. Firstly, it boasts a multi-generational appeal. From exhilarating rides and captivating shows to heartwarming character interactions and world-class dining, the resort caters to families with children of all ages. Adults seeking a dose of nostalgia and a touch of magic will also find themselves enchanted.

Each of the four theme parks – Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom – is meticulously themed, transporting guests to unique and immersive worlds. Soar through the skies above Pandora – The World of Avatar at Animal Kingdom, or relive classic Disney films in Magic Kingdom. Disney’s commitment to immersive experiences ensures that imaginations are truly captured.

Beyond theme park thrills, Walt Disney World offers a variety of other activities. Two water parks, Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon, provide refreshing fun on hot Florida days. Disney Springs, a sprawling complex brimming with shopping, dining, and entertainment options, offers a vibrant nightlife option, especially with the new drone show, Dreams That Soar.

For luxurious accommodations and convenient park access, numerous Disney resort hotels, each with its own unique theme, await guests. With its diverse offerings, exceptional service – Disney cast members are renowned for going the extra mile – and unwavering commitment to creating immersive experiences, Walt Disney World continues to hold a special place in hearts young and old. This global tourism giant solidifies its position year after year.

A recent survey conducted by Radical Storage , a global luggage storage provider, shed light on American vacation preferences for 2024. The study, which polled over 2,000 individuals, revealed a fascinating split: nearly half (44.4%) favored domestic escapes, while the remaining half (55.6%) yearned for international adventures.

Interestingly, a significant majority (78.9%) expressed interest in a “staycation” during the winter of 2023 or early 2024. This enthusiasm carried over into the spring and summer months, with a staggering 83.1% planning a staycation during that period. But where are these staycationers flocking to? The answer might surprise you – it’s the place where dreams come true!

According to the survey, Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando reigns supreme as the most-visited landmark in the United States. A whopping 37.1% of respondents have experienced the magic firsthand. Its West Coast counterpart, Disneyland in Anaheim, California, secured the third-place spot with 29.1% of participants boasting a visit.

Interestingly, sandwiched between the two Disney destinations is the dazzling Las Vegas Strip in Nevada. This glittering metropolis narrowly edged out Disneyland, with 29.2% of respondents reporting a previous visit. Rounding out the top five are iconic landmarks steeped in history: the majestic Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco (28.5% of respondents) and the Washington Monument, a symbol of American resilience, in Washington D.C. (27.7% of respondents).

While Disney may get visited more, when it comes to where guests want to return to, another survey has shown that Disney is not the leader in that category.

Unveiling a new report by InsureandGo , a travel insurance company based in the UK. Their research examined “Come Back” scores, a metric indicating a visitor’s desire to revisit a location. The study analyzed over 450 landmarks globally, and the winner might surprise you! Dollywood, a theme park nestled in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, secured the coveted top spot with a phenomenal score of 94 out of 100.

But Dollywood wasn’t the only destination under the spotlight. InsureandGo also ranked countries and cities based on traveler sentiment. Japan emerged as the most desired country to revisit, while London reigned supreme as the top city for return trips.

So, what makes Dollywood so beloved? InsureandGo’s meticulous approach involved sifting through thousands of online reviews. They meticulously examined the content of these reviews, paying close attention to attraction ratings and specifically noting comments from guests expressing a desire to return.

By employing a weighted scoring system that considered these factors, they were able to assign “Come Back” scores to each landmark. Dollywood’s impressive score of 94 reflects the overwhelming desire of visitors to experience its magic again and again.

The top 10 (with “Come Back” score) are:

• Dollywood- Pigeon Forge, Tennessee (94);
• Disneyland- Anaheim, California (87);
• Stone Mountain Park- Stone Mountain, Georgia (81);
• Warner Bros. Studio Tour- London (78);
• Blenheim Palace- Oxfordshire, UK (74);
• Grand Canyon National Park- Arizona (74);
• Crazy Horse Memorial- Crazy Horse, South Dakota (71);
• Hampton Court Palace- London (71);
• Tokyo Disneyland- Tokyo (70);
• Yosemite National Park- California (70);
• Universal Studios Florida- Orlando, Florida (70);
• Busch Gardens Tampa- Tampa, Florida (70);

Oddly enough, Walt Disney World, did not even make the list.

InsureandGo noted in a press release that “Dollywood is both a theme park and a nod to the local Appalachian culture as well as living legend herself, Dolly Parton…Online reviews praise the park for its fantastic food and decorations during the Christmas period, while many visitors recommend getting the two-day pass, so you can explore everything there is to offer.”

Dollywood, consistently recognized as the Best Theme Park in the world by Amusement Today, offers a compelling reason to visit throughout 2024. Currently, guests can immerse themselves in the vibrant colors and delightful flavors of the Flower & Food Festival presented by Covenant Health, showcasing over a million blooms (until June 9th).

As summer unfolds, Dollywood transforms into a dazzling spectacle with the Sweet Summer Nights drone and fireworks show, illuminating the Smoky Mountain sky as part of the Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration presented by Food City (June 15th- August 11th).

For many families, Dollywood’s Harvest Festival presented by Humana (September 9th- October 28th) is a cherished tradition. This vibrant celebration embodies the essence of fall with stunning displays of carved pumpkins, captivating performances by talented artists, and the whimsical Great Pumpkin LumiNights presented by Covenant Health.

To culminate the 2024 season, Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas presented by Humana (November 1st – January 5th, 2025) reigns supreme as the industry’s Best Theme Park Christmas event. This enchanting experience features a mesmerizing display of 6 million twinkling lights, heartwarming holiday shows, and the quintessential Christmas atmosphere that Dollywood is renowned for.

Most recently, Dollywood opened The Dolly Parton Experience, which will only enhance the Dollywood experience.

The Dolly Parton Experience at Dollywood is a sprawling tribute to the iconic singer-songwriter’s life and career . Occupying multiple buildings, the experience boasts triple the size of the former Chasing Rainbows Museum.

The heart of the experience lies in Songteller, housed in the former museum’s space. Here, guests embark on a captivating journey through Dolly’s story. From her humble childhood in Locust Ridge to her early days chasing musical dreams in Nashville, the exhibit meticulously details her rise to stardom.

Visitors can see a replica of the famous coat of many colors, alongside a photo of the dry cleaning receipt that inspired the song. Interactive displays showcase her iconic guitars, including a dazzling paisley-patterned Gibson used during a 2005 tour.

The exhibit seamlessly blends archival footage from her performances and films with an immersive 360-degree projection show. This innovative technology transports viewers to key locations in Dolly’s life, such as her childhood home and the legendary Ryman Auditorium.

Across from Songteller, in the building formerly known as Dolly’s Closet boutique, lies Behind the Seams. This dazzling exhibit offers a glimpse into Dolly’s vibrant wardrobe. Step inside and feel like you’ve entered a giant walk-in closet, overflowing with stunning outfits, shoes, wigs, and more.

Here, you’ll find never-before-seen pieces like a bell-bottom jumpsuit designed by Lucy Adams for her 1970s variety show Dolly ! But that’s not all, visitors can unleash their inner stylist and dress a cartoon version of Dolly in various outfits using interactive magnets.

As you wait to enter the Dreamsong Theater, prepare to be touched by the Precious Memories exhibit. This heartwarming display features Dolly’s personal narration about her family and faith, accompanied by treasured childhood photos and footage with her loved ones.

Due to the anticipated excitement surrounding the opening of the Dolly Parton Experience, timed-entry tickets will be required for Songteller and Behind the Seams from May 24th to June 2nd during most hours (these tickets are separate from park admission).

Guests can choose 30-minute entry slots between 10 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. , though they are free to explore the area for as long as they wish after entering. Tickets can be conveniently registered online. The timed-entry system will be reevaluated after June 2nd.

Dollywood recently had an early closure earlier this month due to weather, but it is now back open for business.

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CMA Fest 2024 updates: An eventful Day 1 closes on the wings a soaring Free Bird

Tens of thousands of country music fans have descended upon Nashville for the 51st CMA Music Festival starting today.

The next four days will see over 300 artists — including Luke Bryan, Lainey Wilson and Jelly Roll — who will take to nine stages spread across downtown.

CMA Fest 2024: Nashville guide — from free concert stages to how much does it cost and more

Start the day smarter. Get all the news you need in your inbox each morning.

CMA Fest road closures: See which downtown Nashville streets are closed

Follow along for updates throughout the day.

Lynyrd Skynyrd, the ultimate Southern rock closers

Yes, after having ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons join them for "Call Me The Breeze," the latest iteration of quintessential Southern rock act Lynyrd Skynyrd closed the first night of CMA Fest by playing "Freebird" for 12 minutes.

Had this particularly time-consuming act not occurred, the crowd that remained would've been unquestionably saddened.

Prior to playing, band members Johnny Van Zant and Rickey Medlocke offered that the band's recent connections via live performances with CMA Entertainer of the Year Lainey Wilson, plus artists including 2024 CMA Fest co-host Jelly Roll and Elle King had heartened them in ensuring that the band's legacy and sound would remain a timeless tastemaker for another generation.

Seventies rock in 2024 works because many of modern country music's stories — like Southern rock 50 years ago — remain unflinchingly honest in the face of despair, plus also allow enough room for liquor-filled libations to ease the pain.

"Simple Man" hits the chest and soars to the heavens. At some point in the next 72 hours, Jelly Roll will sing "Son of A Sinner" on the same stage and approach that level of appeal.

The band is still as tight as the songs are peerless.

In a stadium setting, peerless songs have a palpable impact.

Post Malone, Blake Shelton make surprise CMA Fest appearance, unveil new song

Post Malone's further cemented his place as a countrified superstar Thursday night, as he shocked a crowd numbering into the tens of thousands with a surprise appearance at Nissan Stadium during CMA Fest's first night.

And he brought a friend to the party.

Solo, on the field-level Spotlight Stage, the chart-topping pop performer played a version of his Morgan Wallen duet "I Had Some Help."

Then, in a double surprise, while discussing his forthcoming debut country album, Malone brought one of his album's collaborators, 20-time chart-topping Grand Ole Opry member Blake Shelton, to the stage.

The tandem sang their unreleased duet, "Pour Me A Drink."

The driving country rock song fits into the pocket of work similar to popular artists of recent country memory, like Midland.

Thomas Rhett performs new, unreleased song ‘Gone Country’ at Nissan Stadium

Walking out to thumping kick drum and wearing a green button-down and backwards hat, Rhett started his set with “Look What God Gave Her.”

During the first song, Rhett went down to the crowd, touched fans’ hands and even took a selfie on one audience member’s phone. 

“I never do this and it terrifies me actually,” Rhett told the crowd as he peered up into the top of the stadium. “Can I play you a brand new song?”

From his new album, which will drop in August, Rhett played his new song “Gone Country,” an upbeat, twangy feel-good tune. He sang, “Once she gone country, she never goin’ back / She feelin' right at home with her boots up on my dash.”

Rhett also performed songs “You Make Me Wanna,” “Crash and Burn,” and “What’s Your Country Song.” A seasoned performer, he smiled his whole set and brought the energy for his fans.

Aside from showcasing a new song, it was all about family for Rhett tonight. He sang “Half Of Me,” as he played on a mint-colored guitar with his daughter’s name, Willa, on the strap. 

He told the crowd that with four young daughters at home, it’s been hard to bring his wife and kids to shows. But tonight, Rhett told the crowd that his wife was in the house to hear him perform his new song “Beautiful As You” live for the first time—a song he wrote about her. 

Rhett ended with song “Die a Happy Man,” changing the lyrics and singing, “I think if Nashville, Tennessee is the last show I ever, ever, ever get to play / I think that I could die a happy man.”

— Audrey Gibbs, The Tennessean

Shaboozey brings a double-shot of entertainment to Nissan Stadium's Spotlight Stage

Four weeks have elapsed since veteran underground performer Shaboozey, a native of Washington, D.C.'s Northern Virginian suburbs, achieved chart-topping success on Billboard's country sales charts with his viral smash "A Bar Song (Tipsy)."

Yes, he's the same artist who appears twice on Beyoncé's March 2024-released "Cowboy Carter" album , but he didn't need a 32-time Grammy winner's co-sign to win over 50,000 people at Nissan Stadium.

His performance is only a few weeks removed from a Nashville appearance in front of 100 times fewer people at the Basement East club .

It turns out that his charisma, regardless of crowd, is infectious.

Fifty-thousand people finally settling in for the long haul of CMA Fest week screamed along to every crowd participation moment in the song as their voices grew in their approval and engagement in his performance.

Prior to his performance, Shaboozey spoke to The Tennessean about his influences.

The conversation included mentions of independent-minded classic and modern Western favorites Marty Robbins and Colter Wall, Kentuckian Tom T. Hall and modern-era Oklahoma-born breakout performer Wyatt Flores.

The R&B-meets-Western vibes of "Tipsy" may have brought Shaboozey from obscurity to somewhere in the vicinity of Nissan Stadium's 20-yard line. However, his statements and newly released album, "Where I've Been, Isn't Where I'm Going," clearly indicate a much more dynamic range in his offerings to come.

— Marcus K. Dowling, The Tennessean

Ashley McBryde brings out Gretchen Wilson to duet on 'Redneck Woman '

After Jordan Davis hit the stage, trio Chapel Hart took to the stadium’s platform stage and sang a haunting rendition of Dolly Parton’s “Jolene,” and their own song in response, “You Can Have Him Jolene.”

Ashley McBryde, known for tunes “Never Wanted To Be That Girl” and “One Night Standards,” took the main stage next in a sparkly jumper. She delivered a rockin’ 30-minute set that showcased her rich voice, thoughtful lyricism and even a special guest appearance. 

The tattooed McBryde kicked off with electric song “Blackout Betty,” and sang “One Night Standards,” “Leave The Light On In The Kitchen” and “Women Ain’t Whiskey.”

Before singing “Girl Goin’ Nowhere,” McBryde spoke to the crowd. “We wrote this song with hopes I would get to play the Grand Ole Opry,” she said. “And tonight I’m hosting CMA Fest with Jelly Roll."

She sang a reflective, acoustic version of the song for a full Nissan stadium. As her lyrics go, “Not bad for a girl goin' nowhere.”

“Okay CMA Fest. We tried to keep a lid on it,” McBryde said next, inviting Gretchen Wilson to the stage to perform her 20-year-old anthem “Redneck Woman.”

“She’s the baddest,” McBryde said.

The two duetted on the country classic, belting out, “I'm a redneck woman / I ain't no high class broad,” as the crowd echoed back, singing “hell yeah.”

Afterwards, the two singer-songwriters shared a heartfelt moment.

Jordan Davis brings crowd to their feet

“I know I’m shorter than you thought I would be,” host Ashley McBryde joked to the audience before introducing Jordan Davis. “I’m shorter than I thought I would be.”

At 6 feet, Davis strutted onto the stage in a backwards white cap, beige jacket, white tee and jeans. His hit, “Take It From Me” brought the crowd to their feet. The singer jumped into “Singles You Up.” 

“I’ve got about seven seconds I’m not singing,” the country star said in the media room about an hour before an electrifying performance in Nissan Stadium. 

“How we feeling Nashville?” he boomed continuing a fast paced sampler of songs.

Armed with a light brown to black ombré guitar, Davis strummed “Tucson Too Late" and “Slow Dance In A Parking Lot."

“I want to play you a song that I wrote about those three kiddos,” he said dedicating "Next Thing You Know" to his wife and kids.

Davis headed to the pit to high five fans during, "Almost Maybes."

"Thank you for making this CMA song of the year," Davis said before performing "Buy Dirt" with an additional, crowd belting chorus.

He closed out his set with "What My World Spins Around."

— Bryan West, The Tennessean

Thursday night kicks off with Craig Morgan

As the sun set over Nissan Stadium, country music star Craig Morgan brought the energy.

The kick-off included a five song set. Morgan mixed in classics, “Redneck Yacht Club,” “That’s What I Love About Sundays” and “International Harvester” with patriotic, country-themed anthems “Almost Home” and “Soldier.”

The Army veteran of almost 18 years took a moment to ask those who have served to raise their hands and receive stadium applause. He re-inlisted in 2023 and is active duty hoping to round his service to more than two decades. Morgan waved a red, white and blue flag to finish “Soldier” on a high note.

Bringing down the Spotify House with Tanner Adell

Tanner Adell, featured on Beyoncé’s latest album “Cowboy Carter,” hit the stage at CMA Festival 2024 Thursday afternoon.

Adell brought the house down, performing for a vibrant crowd inside Spotify House.

Decked in blue bedazzled boots and a matching cowboy hat, Tanner performed a list of her songs including her hits “Whiskey Blues” and “Buckle Bunny.”

During her set, she even surprised fans by playing the banjo as she sang.

After her performance, she described this year’s festival as “blazing.”

She is also set to hit the Nissan Stadium platform stage Saturday evening.

— Cache McClay, The Tennessean

Beyoncé collaborator Willie Jones performs at Dr. Pepper Amp Stage

Willie Jones, one of Beyoncé’s collaborators on country album "Cowboy Carter," performed at the festival’s Dr. Pepper Amp stage in the late afternoon.

His electric band, complete with a banjo, gave a rumbling, thumping performance of “Slow Cookin’" as Jones sported his fur-lined vest despite the heat.

Jones’ "Dive Bar" featured his shuffling dance moves and playful energy, making him a dynamic force to watch.

Jones’ collab with rapper Randy Savvy on song "Regulate" showcased the country-hip-hop combo that Jones blends so compellingly.

Warren Zeider brings all-black garb to Riverfront Stage

Warren Zeiders played a 4 p.m. set at the Chevy Riverfront Stage, clad in his trademark all-black and belting with his gravelly voice.Zeiders sang his first number one song on country radio and a now double-platinum single, "Pretty Little Poison,” asking for help from the audience, who shouted out the chorus.

The crowd sang the last chorus backed my piano and minimal help from Zeiders.

CMA Fest performances kick off at Riverfront, Hard Rock stages

Jackson Dean hit the stage early on day one of CMA Fest, taking the Chevy Riverfront Stage at 10:45 a.m. on the bank of the Cumberland River.

Fans showed up and showed out for Dean, Lainey Wilson’s opener on tour. He sang a gruff, electric version of his song “Fearless” and showcased a song he’d be releasing at the end of the month on the 28th.

Fancy Hagood performed an early set too, starting off with hearty tune “Don’t Blink” at the Hard Rock Stage at 11:35 a.m.

“I’m an independent queer artist and the fact that I get to do this and be here with you is f***ing amazing,” he told the crowd.

Hagood also performed some music he’d be releasing soon, like breakup song “That’s Life,” a quick turnaround from the EP he dropped on June 5 called “Smothered, Covered & Fried.”

Dolly Parton announces Nashville hotel, name of musical

Dolly Parton is a woman who isn't slowing down.

During Fan Fair X at CMA Fest, she announced plans for a Nashville hotel and announced the name of the Broadway musical based on her life's story.

"It's true that I'm going to have a hotel right here in Nashville,' she said.

Parton plans to open the Songtell Hotel at 3rd and Commerce, she said. The hotel will also feature a museum.

Parton also announced the name of the musical which is expected to open in 2026.

"That musical is going to be called 'Hello, I'm Dolly,'" She announced. "It's going to have a lot of original songs for it, as well as all the hit songs that you know."

More announcements and details: Dolly Parton reveals Nashville Songteller Hotel and museum plans; announces name of Broadway musical

Dolly Parton at CMA Fest: How to watch

Can't make it to CMA Fest to watch the iconic county legend Dolly Parton? No worries, we've got your covered.

Parton will kick-off Fan Fair X at 10:45 a.m. with a conversation on the CMA Close Up stage.

To watch, click the link: Live from CMA Fest! by Dolly Parton

CMA Fest weather update: More heat, some rain

What started as a low heat weekend has shifted slightly .

Temperatures will reach 90 Thursday before cooling down in the evening. Friday won't be as hot, but highs will crack 80.

Saturday it'll continue to warm up to 84 with a chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening. Sunday there's a chance of rain throughout the day.

Top picks for Thursday at CMA Fest

Here are a few ideas of who and what could create some highlights at CMA Fest's this morning and afternoon, before the evening's slate of performers at Nissan Stadium.

10:45 - noon

• Country Music Hall of Famer, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, Grand Ole Opry member and global entertainment icon Dolly Parton will be in conversation with Entertainment Tonight co-host Rachel Smith. Parton's at Fan Fair numerous times throughout the week. If you miss her there (that crowd will fill quickly), we'll suggest Lainey Wilson's Australian and American tour opener (and himself a chart-topping country performer), the husky-toned, rock-tinged vocalist behind "Don't Come Lookin," Jackson Dean , is at the Riverfront Stage, too.

12:15 - 1 p.m.

• Riverfront Stage — Multi-platinum-selling 2024 Opry Nextstage class member and Lucas Oil-sponsored artist Chase Matthew brings his blue-collar image and multiple generations of fire and brimstone preachers to CMA Fest 2024. He's opening for Jason Aldean (among many others) this year, and the native of Nashville's suburbs brings the grit and soul familiar to many in the under-30 set of country's mainstream at-present to the table. He's a charismatic artist who, already has conquered the art of maximizing his minutes. If you pause and take some time, he's certain to win you over.

1:35 - 2:20 p.m.

• Reverb Stage — Emily Ann Roberts is a bluegrass-loving East Tennessean. The 2024 CMT Next Women of Country class member is likely also, at present, Blake Shelton's favorite country performer. The reason why? She's a 2016 alum of "The Voice," where Shelton served as a judge for two decades. "Whatever happens in my career, I want always to remain an approachable, relatable person grounded by faith and humbled by the opportunity to serve others and their lives," says Roberts to The Tennessean.

2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

• Spotify House — Beyonce's "Cowboy Carter" guest performer and "Buckle Bunny" vocalist Tanner Adell returns to CMA Fest in 2024 one of six beneficiaries of the 32-time Grammy winner's co-sign, but also a 2024 member of CMT's Next Women of Country class and growing viral appeal. "My fans show up, ready to embody their passion as an often unseen community of people," she tells The Tennessean.

6 p.m. - 7 p.m.

• Nissan Stadium isn't in the cards for you? Stop by Universal Nashville's takeover of 5th and Broadway's spacious Skydeck venue. Multiple-time solo chart-topper and former Florida Georgia Line member Tyler Hubbard 's there. As noted in a Tennessean feature regarding his latest album "Strong," Hubbard's embrace of "arena rock and '80s funk-driven dance-pop sound under country lyrics that delivers best not on radio or record but in 60-to-90-minute concerts."

CMA Fest weather: Sun, low temperatures and small rain chances

Fest fans couldn't have asked for better luck with the weather. It'll be sunny, but considerably cooler and less humid thanks to previous storms.

Thursday will be the warmest day with highs between 79 and 88 degrees. There is a small chance for rain in the morning, but nothing severe.

The days following will barely break 80 degrees. The chance of rain does return Sunday so maybe plan to pack a disposable poncho in your back pocket.

How to enjoy CMA Fest for free

If you're trying to two-step on a budget, or just planned poorly and can't find a ticket, CMA Fest has plenty to offer for free.

Daytime, outdoor stages are all open to the public. Broadway will also be teeming with free games, activities and giveaways with CMA Fest partners.

The Chevy Riverfront Stage will open at 10:45 a.m. Thursday, and 10 a.m. the rest of the weekend featuring artists like Gavin DeGraw, The War and Treaty and Megan Moroney.

The Dr. Pepper Amp and Chevy Vibes stages will open at 11 a.m. daily while the Good Molecules Reverb and Hard Rock stages will open at 10:15 a.m.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: CMA Fest 2024 updates: An eventful Day 1 closes on the wings a soaring Free Bird

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Dolly Parton Musical Hello, I’m Dolly Coming to Broadway in 2026

Parton pens new songs for the biographical show, which has been in the works for some time.

Hello, I’m Dolly , a new musical biography of music icon Dolly Parton, is coming to Broadway in 2026.

Borrowing the title from Parton’s first studio album,  Hello, I’m Dolly has a score by Parton that includes new material and her beloved hits, and a book by Parton and Maria S. Schlatter, who cowrote Parton’s holiday film  Christmas on the Square .

Cast and creative team will be announced in the future.

Recently inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Parton’s most recent album,  Rockstar , scored her biggest album debut sales week of her seven-decade career. She is the first artist to have topped Billboard’s Adult Contemporary, Christian AC Songs, Hot Country Songs, Christian Airplay, Rock Digital Songs, Country Airplay, and Dance/Mix Show Airplay radio charts, and she’s had 26 songs reach the top spot on the country charts. An 11-time Grammy winner, who has donated 242 million books to children around the world with her Imagination Library, Parton’s beloved songs include “Jolene,” “9 to 5,” “I Will Always Love You,” “Islands in the Stream,” and “Coat of Many Colors.” She wrote the score for the Broadway musical adaptation of  9 to 5 and earned a Tony Award nomination.

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5 things we learned about Dolly and what she has to say about the Dolly Parton Experience

When Dolly Parton finally took a tour through the completed Dolly Parton Experience , the new Dollywood museum dedicated to her career and personal life, the famously upbeat country star wept.

“They started showing all the footage, especially when my mom and dad and my family started talking, I just broke down ,” she said at the attraction's opening May 24. “So, hopefully, you will be moved by it. There’s a lot of great stories and things about the family.”

The Dolly Parton Experience has music, bedazzled dresses, big wigs and, most importantly, precious memories.

With help from cousins, nieces, nephews and other family onstage and in the audience, Parton led the opening ceremony for the multibuilding museum that spans her iconic career and honors her family.

The Experience is in the former Adventures in Imagination area, which hadn’t been renovated since 2002. The entire interactive and digital museum project is three times larger than the former Chasing Rainbows Museum and is a living exhibit. (“I’m still living!” Parton joked.)

But that means artifacts, costumes and digital elements will be updated regularly, continuing to tell Parton's stories of the past and also adding in her future endeavors and achievements.

“A little more Dolly in the world is a really good thing,” Dollywood Parks & Resorts President Eugene Naughton said.

What’s inside the Dolly Parton Experience?

There are three exhibits that make up the Dolly Parton Experience , each housed in its own building.

Songteller is dedicated to Parton’s illustrious life and career. Starting from her home in Locust Ridge in the Great Smoky Mountains and then getting on the bus to Nashville, you learn about Parton’s journey to superstardom and the moments behind her biggest hits and accomplishments.

Behind the Seams gives a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process of Parton’s signature style. She is known just as much for her shimmering outfits, bold nails and blonde wigs as she is for her music. Items displayed in this curated selection will be changed seasonally, according to archivist Rebecca Seaver.

Precious Memories at the DreamSong theater is all about the importance of faith, family and friends. This is also where you can enjoy the new show “Heidi Parton’s Kin & Friends,” which Dolly wrote specially for the Dolly Parton Experience. It stars her niece, Heidi.

5 things we learned at the Dolly Parton Experience

It runs in the family

“I was born to be a songwriter,” Parton says during the six-minute immersive movie that plays as a 360-degree projection in Songteller. And she really was. Dolly was crafting songs before she could even write and she wrote her first song at just 5 years old.

She got her musical talents from her mother Avie Lee Owens Parton’s side of the family. Avie Lee filled their East Tennessee home with music by singing hymns, folk songs and traditional mountain music. And by 6, Dolly was singing in the church of her grandfather, the Rev. Jake Owens.

No overnight success

Parton found the love of her life, husband Carl Dean, on the first day she moved to Nashville in 1964, but what she didn’t find quickly was success in country music. She spent her first two years in Nashville working part-time as a receptionist and a waitress. And although she made appearances on early morning radio, she was turned down by every major record label on Music Row.

She was signed to Monument Records as a staff writer by producer Fred Foster, who thought her voice was better suited for rockabilly or pop music. But when her first hit, “Something Fishy” (1967), was released, she was cemented as a country singer.

A mighty songwriting pen

You know the songs “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You"? Famously, Parton (likely) wrote them both on the same day. While in the process of digitizing her music, Parton discovered the first recordings for both songs were on the same cassette, meaning they were recorded during the same session or during the same time frame.

She has written nearly 3,000 songs, and more than 200 of them have been recorded by other artists.

Stage fright

Dolly Parton is a natural on stage. The glow of her personality and the glimmer of her rhinestones shine on every audience and crew member. But before her big break on “The Porter Wagoner Show,” she was nervous to be on TV.

Parton was confident in her singing but didn’t know how to behave in front of her camera. Being on “The Porter Wagoner Show” improved her performance and showman skills. And when it was time to make her film debut in “9 to 5,” she memorized the entire script so that she’d be prepared.

A peek behind the seams

I gasped when I walked into Behind the Seams, which is filled with Dolly’s iconic costumes, shoes and hair. The exhibit shows every detail and inspiration behind crafting her looks, the main motto being: “If it’s too tight, take it in a little more.”

And what’s really special is that it celebrates some of the designers she’s worked with throughout her career, including Robért Behar, Tony Chase, Konnie Kittrell, Steve Summers and Patric Taylor-Reeves.

How to explore the Dolly Parton Experience

You can learn and see much more of the Dolly Parton Experience with a visit to Dollywood. A timed ticket to enter the exhibit is needed through June 2 due to high demand. You can register for a time entry ticket at Dollywood.com .

Timeslots of 30-minute intervals are available on a first-come, first-serve basis between 10 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Time entry tickets will not be required for entry after 5 p.m. And starting June 3, Dollywood guests can freely enter the exhibit.

Devarrick Turner is a trending news reporter. Email  [email protected] . On X, formerly known as Twitter  @dturner1208 .  

Dollywood's Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration festival runs June 15 though Aug. 11. Tickets to the theme park are $92 for adults and $82 for children and seniors.

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