• ABOUT
    • Contact
    • The Team
    • Editorial Calendar
    • Events
    • FAQ
    • Use & Privacy Policy
  • ADVERTISE
  • ROWFAX
  • THE SPORTS CREDENTIAL
  • JOB LISTINGS
MusicRow.com
  • CALENDARS
    • Album/EP Releases
    • Single/Track Releases
    • Industry Events
  • OBITS
  • CHARTS
    • Radio Chart (Current)
    • Radio Chart (Archives)
    • No. 1 Challenge Coin
    • Songwriter Chart (Current)
    • Songwriter Chart (Archives)
  • REVIEWS
  • MY STORY
  • NEWSLETTER
    • Newsletter (Current)
    • SIGN UP (FREE!)
    • Newsletter (Archives)
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • STORE
  • Search
  • Menu

Bobby Karl Works The Room: Dolly Parton Lights Up The Grand Ole Opry For 50th Anniversary

October 14, 2019/0 Comments/in Featured /by Bobby Karl

Dolly Parton celebrates her 50th anniversary as a Grand Ole Opry member. Photo: Chris Hollo/Grand Ole Opry

Every night is special at the Grand Ole Opry, but you’d be hard pressed to name a more memorable night than the one that transpired on Saturday (Oct. 12).

The occasion was the celebration of the divine Dolly Parton’s 50th anniversary as an Opry cast member. As you might expect, the Hall of Famer attracted a host of glittering party people.

Among those singing her songs were Toby Keith (“Kentucky Gambler”), Lady Antebellum (“Islands in the Stream”) and Margo Price (“The Seeker”), with a cheering section composed of (among others) Jeannie Seely, Riders in the Sky, John Conlee, Connie Smith, Hank Williams Jr., Candi Carpenter and Stephanie Quayle.

Mary and Randy Travis were backstage saying how pleased they are that his new book, Forever and Ever Amen, is inspiring people. Randy obligingly posed for photos with fans at an invitation-only reception in Studio A. At the same event, Gov. Bill Lee proclaimed it Dolly Parton Day in Tennessee. The superstar cut into a gigantic, three-tiered commemorative cake.

“How is the food?” asked Hall of Famer Bill Anderson. “Whenever I read this column and your description of the party food, I get hungry.”

Alas, the only I food I tried was a cup of the creamy mac & cheese (plus a slice of Dolly’s blue-icing anniversary cake). But it looked to me like the chicken sliders, dessert buffet and veggies-and-cheeses plates were also delish. Who could eat when there was so much going on?

At a pre-show press conference held in the old museum building on the Opry Plaza, Opry manager Dan Rogers recalled how indelible his memory is of seeing Dolly on the show’s stage when he was in kindergarten.

“Well hello, I’m Dolly!” said the legend to the assembled press corps. “This is a big night for me. Ask me anything you want, and I’ll tell you what I want you to hear.”

She recalled her first appearance on the show. It was in 1959 (60 years ago, if you’re keeping score). Jimmy C. Newman gave up one of his song slots so the 13-year-old could sing “Puppy Love.” Johnny Cash introduced her. She joined the cast in 1969, when she was still a member of Porter Wagoner’s troupe.

“It was because of Porter that I got my first big break,” she reminisced. “I think of him every day. Whenever I’m on stage, I think of something he taught me.” Accordingly, she sang his “Carroll County Accident” and brought out Wagonmasters electric-banjo king Buck Trent as her guest on her portion of the Opry broadcast. She also sang her biggies “Joshua,” “Jolene,” “My Tennessee Mountain Home,” “Here You Come Again,” “Coat of Many Colors” and, of course, “9 To 5” and “I Will Always Love You.”

She told the press about her upcoming Netflix series of movies based on her songs and about her new CCM single with For King & Country, “God Only Knows.” Next, she’s co-hosting the CMA Awards with Carrie Underwood and Reba McEntire and will sing a faith-based medley with a choir on the telecast.

Dolly Parton celebrates her 50th anniversary as a Grand Ole Opry member. Photo: Chris Hollo/Grand Ole Opry

She has recorded an upcoming single with Dove-awarded CCM star Zach Williams titled “There Was Jesus” and will release a single titled “Faith” next month.

“I’m going to make it my business to put out songs that are uplifting, that bring light,” she explained.

“I’m going to continue to do what I do until I dream myself into a corner….Maybe I’ll be around for 50 more years. I hope so.

“It’s a dream-like thing…You never know if your dreams are gonna come true….Everybody’s dreams don’t come true.

“It makes me feel very humble. I’m so grateful.”

Digesting every word were Shannon McCombs, Hunter Kelly, Larry McCormick, Deborah Evans-Price, Jessie Schmidt, Dixie Owen, Vernell Hackett, People magazine’s Nancy Kruh, NPR’s Shima Oliaee and representatives from England, Australia and who-knows-where. They also enjoyed the show via a wall-sized screen with a direct video feed from the stage.

Over in the Opry House, the reception was beautifully decorated. The front wall of Studio A held a semi-circle of glass cases containing fabulous Dolly Parton gowns that she’s worn on Opry shows. Curtains surrounding the party area were lit with a rainbow of colors. A huge video screen showed the attendees what was transpiring out in the house.

Enjoying the hospitality were Beth Steiner, Christina Loff, Brian Sweany, Jeff Kleinman, Steve Troha, Alison Petersen, Christina Boys, John Zarling, GOO team members Jordan Pettit, Martin Fischer and Gina Keltner, Dolly’s manager Danny Nozell, Toby’s manager T.K. Kimbrell, and a host of other fabulons.

Did you miss all the excitement? Not to worry. The whole shebang will be an NBC-TV special airing on Nov. 26.

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Bobby Karl
Latest posts by Bobby Karl (see all)
  • Bobby Karl Works The Room: Belmont Celebrates Minnie Pearl Film - January 20, 2023
  • Bobby Karl Works The Room: Recording Academy Tosses Fab Bash For Grammy Nominees - January 19, 2023
  • Bobby Karl Works The Room: Gospel Great Dr. Bobby Jones Honored At NMAAM - January 17, 2023
Tags: featured-2
Share this entry
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share by Mail
https://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Dolly-Parton-50th-Anniversary-ratio.jpg 379 569 Bobby Karl https://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png Bobby Karl2019-10-14 09:54:302019-10-14 09:54:30Bobby Karl Works The Room: Dolly Parton Lights Up The Grand Ole Opry For 50th Anniversary
You might also like
Weekly Chart Report (7/27/18)
Last Call: Nominations for MusicRow's 6th Annual Rising Women On The Row Due March 7
T.J. Martell Foundation Nashville Honors Gala Offers Inspiration
Weekly Register: The Lumineers, Chris Stapleton, Tim McGraw Top Charts
Paisley Wraps Overseas Run, Racks Up Duet Downloads
Weekly Chart Report (7/26/13)
0 replies

Leave a Reply

Want to join the discussion?
Feel free to contribute!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

RECENT NEWS

  • Kristian Bush Gears Up For Final Installment Of ’52’ Album Series In March February 20, 2023
  • Jelly Roll Announces 44-City Headlining ‘Backroad Baptism Tour’ February 20, 2023
  • Ashley McBryde Invites Audiences To ‘Lindeville’ At The Ryman For Two Nights February 20, 2023
  • Tripp Howell Signs Joint Pub Deal With Jimmie Allen, Endurance Music Group February 20, 2023
  • Chris Tomlin’s ‘Good Friday Nashville’ Celebration To Return April 7 February 20, 2023
  • Songwriter & Producer Kyle Jacobs Dies At 49 February 18, 2023
  • Opry To Celebrate Ronnie Milsap’s 80th Birthday With Special Tribute February 17, 2023
  • CTM Outlander & Young Guns Publishing Partner To Sign Michael Tyler February 17, 2023
  • Kelsea Ballerini To Make Debut On ‘Saturday Night Live’ February 17, 2023
  • Tractor Supply Co. Launches Emerging Artists Program With Lainey Wilson, Jimmie Allen, More February 17, 2023
  • Sara Evans To Celebrate 20th Anniversary Of ‘Restless’ With Special Ryman Show February 17, 2023
  • Parker McCollum Shares Title, Cover Of Upcoming Album ‘Never Enough’ February 17, 2023
  • Chrissy Metz, Bradley Collins Release Inspirational New Children’s Book February 17, 2023
  • Luke Combs Returns To No. 1 On MusicRow Chart For Third Time With ‘Going, Going, Gone’ February 17, 2023
  • Nashville SC Teams Up With Johnny Cash Estate For ‘Man In Black’ Alternate Jersey February 17, 2023

Like Us on Facebook

Follow Us on Twitter

Tweets by MusicRow
© 2023 Music Row Enterprises, LLC – All rights reserved.
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
Scroll to top