Sevier County superstar Dolly Parton took some personal time off from her busy press schedule Saturday to celebrate the life and music of former television partner and mentor, Porter Wagoner. In her own Celebrity Theater, the singer spent an emotional and poignant afternoon singing the songs and sharing the stories of the time she and Porter spent together and the impact the legend had on all who surrounded him. Parton also took the opportunity to surprise manager, and original Wagon Master, Don Warden with an induction into the Missouri based Steel Guitar Hall of Fame. The Dollywood Theater was transformed with familiar sets from the long-running country music show and Dolly’s band, The Backwoods Boys, dressed in the signature costumes from the era. Dolly, herself, wore a Porter-inspired outfit to set the mood for the afternoon.“This won’t be a sad time,” she assured the crowd. “This will be a happy time!”
The private event was attended by Wagoner’s children and grand children and many of the Grand Ole Opry stars who had performed with him during his long and successful career. “The Porter Wagoner Show” debuted on syndicated television in 1960 and the flashy country star brought new talent Dolly Parton aboard in 1967. Parton credits his support and the popularity of their duets together, as the foundation of her own success. During the emotional memorial, Wagon Master steel guitar player Don Warden was surprised by Parton with a tribute of his own. Dressed in the original costume he wore on the famed show, Warden was gifted with a sculpture from Parton who described him as her “Angel on Earth” and told of his induction into the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame. When Dolly left the Porter Wagoner Show, Warden went with her as manager and has remained with her as an adviser through the years. This very special tribute marked the first time the two had performed together in 34 years. Eyes glistening with tears, Parton closed the memorial with the original version of her 1974 musical farewell to their partnership, “I Will Always Love You”. “Not a dry eye in the house,” says Sevierville media artist Jacob Timmons, who designed and manages Parton’s web empire. “The whole first row of the theater was Porter’s family, the second row was legends from the Grand Ole Opry. It was a powerful and moving expression of love”. Porter Wagoner died on October 28, 2007, in Nashville Tennessee. His career spanned seven decades.
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Thursday, April 17, 2008
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Bring on the Cars! It's the Pigeon Forge Rod Runs!
GENTLEMEN, START YOUR ENGINES!!
Spring is in the air in Pigeon Forge, and a young man’s fancy turns to...
Hot Rods!
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee is one of the most popular car show
destinations in the country and eager participants waste no time in
finding their favorite spot along the Parkway to watch the parade go
by. If your taste runs to classics, hot rods, and highly polished chrome;
Well, it just doesn’t get any better than this!
The kick-off event, SPRING GRAND ROD RUN, takes over the town
April 17-20. Fans start arriving the week before and Great Cabins in
the Smokies fill up fast. Every inch of parking space becomes part of
the show with vendors, workshops, and interactive displays sharing the
spotlight with acres of beautiful autos. Spend your afternoon browsing
down rows of immaculately restored and custom wheels....join the
parade in the evening. Checking out the spectators is almost as much
fun as the show!
APRIL 17-20 *SPRING GRAND ROD RUN: 3 straight days of classic
cars, good music, and fun folks take over the town of Pigeon Forge!
Still ready for more?
MAY 15-17 *30th ANNUAL CHEVY CLASSICS ROUND UP: Who
hasn’t dreamed of driving a hot ‘57 with all the accessories?
JUNE 6-7 *PONTIACS IN PIGEON FORGE CLASSICS: It’s all
about the fins! The bigger the better!
JUNE 17-18 *20th ANNUAL CAMARO, CHEVELLE, and NOVA
NATIONALS: A Southern Nationals Association Event.
JUNE 19-21 *GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS F-100 RUN. An all
FORD truck show. Nothing newer than 1979! 864-710-7844
JULY 25-26 *MUSTANG MADNESS: Sort of says it all!
Be prepared for heavy traffic and busy restaurants, and be sure to
book your Great Cabins lodging far in advance. Crowds are heavy, but the action-packed
experience is worth the effort. AH, the sweet smells of high-octane
fuel and burning rubber in the Springtime!!
STILL can’t get enough? Join Great Cabins in the Smokies in the Fall for:
SEPTEMBER 5-6 *SHADES OF THE PAST ROD RUN XXVI:
The REAL oldies! Rumble seats and Continental kits.
SEPTEMBER 10-14 *FALL GRAND ROD RUN: Classics and hot rods!
OCTOBER 17-18 *FALL CORVETTE EXPO: Sleek and Sassy!
Spring is in the air in Pigeon Forge, and a young man’s fancy turns to...
Hot Rods!
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee is one of the most popular car show
destinations in the country and eager participants waste no time in
finding their favorite spot along the Parkway to watch the parade go
by. If your taste runs to classics, hot rods, and highly polished chrome;
Well, it just doesn’t get any better than this!
The kick-off event, SPRING GRAND ROD RUN, takes over the town
April 17-20. Fans start arriving the week before and Great Cabins in
the Smokies fill up fast. Every inch of parking space becomes part of
the show with vendors, workshops, and interactive displays sharing the
spotlight with acres of beautiful autos. Spend your afternoon browsing
down rows of immaculately restored and custom wheels....join the
parade in the evening. Checking out the spectators is almost as much
fun as the show!
APRIL 17-20 *SPRING GRAND ROD RUN: 3 straight days of classic
cars, good music, and fun folks take over the town of Pigeon Forge!
Still ready for more?
MAY 15-17 *30th ANNUAL CHEVY CLASSICS ROUND UP: Who
hasn’t dreamed of driving a hot ‘57 with all the accessories?
JUNE 6-7 *PONTIACS IN PIGEON FORGE CLASSICS: It’s all
about the fins! The bigger the better!
JUNE 17-18 *20th ANNUAL CAMARO, CHEVELLE, and NOVA
NATIONALS: A Southern Nationals Association Event.
JUNE 19-21 *GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS F-100 RUN. An all
FORD truck show. Nothing newer than 1979! 864-710-7844
JULY 25-26 *MUSTANG MADNESS: Sort of says it all!
Be prepared for heavy traffic and busy restaurants, and be sure to
book your Great Cabins lodging far in advance. Crowds are heavy, but the action-packed
experience is worth the effort. AH, the sweet smells of high-octane
fuel and burning rubber in the Springtime!!
STILL can’t get enough? Join Great Cabins in the Smokies in the Fall for:
SEPTEMBER 5-6 *SHADES OF THE PAST ROD RUN XXVI:
The REAL oldies! Rumble seats and Continental kits.
SEPTEMBER 10-14 *FALL GRAND ROD RUN: Classics and hot rods!
OCTOBER 17-18 *FALL CORVETTE EXPO: Sleek and Sassy!
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