A Day With Dolly!
I spent Saturday, April 12, at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge. It was “Media” Day, and Dolly was there to unveil the new Porter Wagoner Exhibit. (Dolly joked about the sequined outfits she wore during the day – since that was how Porter always dressed.) She also put on a short concert for the media, park visitors, and VIP guests.
Among the guests were members of Dolly’s family, and members of Porter’s family. There was a rose planting ceremony, in honor of Porter, and his brother and sisters (Richard, Denise and Debra Jean) took part in digging with the gold shovels.
The day started with a 9 a.m. reception, followed by the rose planting, the unveiling of Porter Wagoner’s exhibit, and then the concert by Dolly. During the concert, it was announced that Don Warden, Porter’s steel guitar player was to be inducted into the Steel Guitar Player Hall of Fame, based in Ohio.
Pictured above are Dolly, with Denise, Debra Jean and Richard Wagoner. And, at the left is Don Warden, when Dolly was telling us all he had been accepted for induction into the SGP Hall of Fame. During the concert, Dolly sang a lot of Porter’s songs… and when she was brought back to the stage by the applause of the crowd, she sang her hit, “I Will Always Love You,” which she had written for Porter. She said the family had asked her to sing it at his funeral, but she didn’t think she would be able to make it through it.
Also in attendance for the day of festivities was Diana DeGarmo, who was first runner up to Fantasia on American Idol a few years ago; and more recently a contestant on the CMT show “Gone Country,” hosted by John Rich. I got to spend a little time with Diana, she was very friendly, and more than willing to talk about her career, future plans, and experience on “Gone Country” with us.
And look who else I got to meet? It’s Marsha, Marsha Marsha! From the Brady Bunch. Maureen McCormick, who also competed on “Gone Country” sat across from me at Dolly’s concert. Like Diana, she was very friendly, open, and seemed to enjoy the questions and comments from the people who gathered around her to talk.
So that was how I spent my Saturday. Thanks to Brittany Johnson for taking the time to attend with me. We met a lot of people, from all walks of life, got to enjoy a great show… and we’re almost into FAIR SEASON! It just doesn’t get any better than this. Talk to you guys tomorrow.
Country
country5@comcast.net
Tags: Brady Bunch, Brittany, concert, Day, Debra, Debra Jean, Denise, Diana DeGarmo, Dolly, dollywood in pigeon forge, Don Warden, family, I, Jean, John Rich, Marsha, Marsha Marsha, marsha marsha marsha, Maureen McCormick, nbsp, Ohio, Porter, Richard, Richard Wagoner, steel guitar player
By Jackie on Apr 12, 2008
How wonderful.
I really liked Diana DeGarmo on both American Idol and Gone Country. I would love to hear what she said her about her career and future plans.
By Laura on Apr 12, 2008
Regarding Diana DeGarmo, when are you going to talk about what she said about her country album and her future plans?
Also, did you take any other pictures of her?
By Country on Apr 13, 2008
Hi Jackie and Laura,
Since you both wrote a similar comment, I thought I’d answer both of you in the same response.
So, here goes — I did get a lot of information from Diana about her future plans, even past career experiences, her upcoming CD project, and where she is living now. That information will come to you in a day or two. I really wanted to get Dolly’s tribute to Porter up first, since that was pretty much what yesterday’s events were all about.
And Laura, I took a lot of photos of Diana, and will include some of those in the next post as well.
Thank you both for commenting, and for reading Country’s Chatter. Keep checking back for more news on Diana and all of your country favorites!
Country
By Mike on Apr 13, 2008
Loved hearing about Dolly. If you ever wanted a model for your kids she’s it. The First Lady of Country after all these years still thrills me. Hell yeah!
By Jackie on Apr 13, 2008
Country, that’s perfectly understandable. Thank you. I’ll check back again in a few days then.
By Country on Apr 13, 2008
Mike,
Thanks so much for your comment. I couldn’t agree with you more. Dolly is an amazing woman, and definitely someone young people can look up to. I am so impressed with her Imagination Library, and the work she is doing in helping children to read! Her theme parks and theaters are an extension of the person she is, and she is certainly someone we can all look up to. Not to mention the talent – songwriter, singer, actress… business woman. Thanks again, Mike. Feel free to comment, or drop me an e-mail any time. I love hearing from you all.
Country
By Laura on Apr 13, 2008
Thanks for the response about Diana. I will be checking back to read more about this amazing young woman. All the details about her future plans and the status of her country album will be so appreciated.
By Stephanie on Apr 15, 2008
I would LOVE to see Dolly perform at Dollywood. If you hear when she’s going to be there next, let us know!! I’m looking forward to Diana’s CD. She has a great voice. Thanks for the info!
By country5 on Apr 15, 2008
Hey, Stephanie –
It is my understanding that Dolly performs at Dollywood at the beginning of the season; sometimes once mid-season; and at the end of the season. You might want to get in touch with the people who work at the park for a schedule of entertainers for the 2008 season. She really puts on a super show!
Country
By Angie on Apr 15, 2008
OMG!!!! A day with Dolly AND Maureen McCormick!!!! How cool is that?!?!?!!? I have loved Dolly since the first time I saw and Porter on HeeHaw… She is so beauiful inside and out… One of my lifes dreams is to meet her… thanks for sharing your experience and can’t wait for updates!!
By Country on Apr 15, 2008
Hi Angie,
I enjoyed your comment. Whenever I have more news on Dolly (or Maureen), I’ll be sure to get it posted for you. I got so many great pictures of Dolly on Saturday. I’ll find somewhere to use them in the blog. Thanks for reading… Let me hear from you again. (I’d love to know where you’re from, and how you found my blog). Have a good one!
Country
By Jim on May 3, 2008
What a great day for Dolly Parton!!!! She has written so many great songs over the years and been such a great performer for country music. Loved seeing Dolly as one of the mentors this year on American Idol. She did a great job.
This must have been a great day for Diana Degarmo and Maureen McCormick of Gone Country. They are both huge country music fans.
Great article would love to see more articles on Dolly, Diana and Maureen.
By Country on May 3, 2008
Thanks so much for the comment. I enjoyed Dolly on “Idol,” too. She’s been a favorite of mine of a very, very, very long time. I thinks she’s a remarkable lady.
Be assured that whenever I have something on Dolly I’ll get it on the blog for you! I’m interested to see where Diana’s country music career goes from here – she has an album in the works.
Thanks agian for your comment… feel free to leave one whenever you have a minute!
Country