We're passionate about all things Dollywood and Sevier County, and we want to share that passion with you. Come along as we explore all that this beautiful area has to offer. From Dollywood and Splash Country to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Cades Cove, there's something for everyone in Sevier County.
We're also big fans of Dolly Parton, and we'll be sure to keep you up-to-date on her latest news and projects. We're sure you'll find something to love here.
We want to wish everyone a great Holiday and Merry Christmas!
We've got three Smoky Mountain Christmas videos to share with you now, and my night at Dollywood is currently in edit, so I plan to publish that in the near future, so hold tight for that one. You won't want to miss it.
Check out what I have published so far!
🔔 My Day at Smoky Mountain Christmas
🔔My visit to the Mountain Blown Glass Shop
🔔Joyful Drone Show! - New for 2023.
I hope everyone is having a great holiday! I will be back later this week with my second-annual year-in-review with all of my Dollywood related YouTube videos from 2023. If you don't want to wait, check out every single one of my Dollywood Videos Right Here
Dolly and Dollywood are opening a hotel in Nashville. Details are scarce at this time, but they have purchased an office building at 211 Commerce Street - it's at the corner of Commerce and 3rd Avenue South, just feet away from the hustle and bustle of Nashville's tourist district. The unconfirmed plans are to convert this office space into a hotel.
Here is the office building that's been purchased. Their neighbor is the ''batman'' building, also known as the AT&T Building.
This is really interesting news because it brings up to me all of the potential possibilities of how they will tie into creating trips to this new hotel, and with Dollywood, which is about 200 miles east of Nashville.
It's really too early for any of that speculation, but no doubt that is in their plans. If you're not up to speed with all of Dolly's and Dollywood's business adventures, back in 2012 on Dolly's birthday, she and Gaylord Opryland Hotel had agreed to partner to open a Water & Snow Park on the other side of Briley Parkway, near the Opryland Hotel property. Ultimately, those plans fell through for various reasons and at the time Dolly announced the cancelled plans, She said I will have something for Nashville soon! So, 11 years later here we are.
Oh, and I nearly forgot Trinkets & Treasures. Dolly opened up a gift boutique on 2nd Avenue called Trinkets & Treasures. It opened in 2010, several weeks before the horrible floods that affected Nashville in unprecedented ways. T&T was destroyed in the floods. So, right now Dolly is 0-2 in Nashville business adventures, but let's focus on the positive.
The office building was bought up by Parton and The Dollywood Co. for a whopping $75 million. The enterprise is an effort by the “I Will Always Love You” singer to invest in the future of Nashville–a cause near and dear to
her heart.
I'll keep an eye on this and report back when I hear updates. Watch this space.
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May 7, 2024 Update
Still no official word from Dollywood regarding this project, however, some savvy internet sleuths found a trademark application from Dollywood for "Dolly Parton's Songteller Hotel''.
Do note how Dollywood has named the on-site resorts at the park. They are named "Dollywood's DreamMore Resort" and Dollywood's HeartSong Resort", no mention of Dolly in the name. But this trademark is "Dolly Parton's Songteller Hotel''. So, while I'm not positive that the trademark is for the Nashville hotel, I'm leaning towards that being true for this simple difference in names. I do want to caution however, that Dolly and Dollywood keep info pretty tight, so I could be way off base. Maybe they're opening a new hotel in Pensacola, Florida, where they also own property?? You just never know with them and so, this is just my feeling based on the information we have so far.
this is what was flying around, causing lots of speculation.
The investigation Begins! 🔎
I did some sleuthing of my own and found a bit more info. In the online file attached to the 984... number above, there are three sets of goods and services that Dollywood notes in the application, that would occur at this property. That gives an idea or two of what they're planning in Nashville - or wherever the SongTeller hotel may be. 😉😉😉
By the way, this is all on the internet and is publicly available information! Check it out here, if you like. If you're able to shed more knowledge about this trademark application process, please do in the comments!!!
Gift Shop
Resort Services
Hotel Accommodation
Restaurants - plural
Catering Services
Offering Conference Rooms and services
Offering Exhibition space, as a service
Offering Meeting facilities, as a service
Banquet rental services for weddings, social functions and special events.
Health spa services
mani/pedi
facials
massage
beauty salon services
hair cutting
nail care
skin care
makeup application
body and facial waxing
All of this sounds like they're planning on a nice property, not unlike what you will find at DreamMore and HeartSong resorts at Dollywood. They're staying in their hospitality lane!
Watch this space as more information becomes known!
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November 11, 2024 Update
Dollywood has confirmed that a hotel is in the works, as well as confirming the Songteller name, but not too much else beyond that. In new news regarding the hotel, Dollywood has secured permits to begin the renovations that will transform this property into a hotel, you can read that story below if you wish.
"The 12-story hotel will include three public space levels on floors one, two and eleven, according to Metro records. The first level will offer a greeter lobby for guests, and the second level will include a hotel lobby, entertainment dining venue, kitchen and four guest rooms.
A dining and bar venue will be held on the eleventh floor as well as a supporting kitchen for the space, Metro records show."
"The project team is currently seeking approval from the Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency Design Review Committee related to awnings and signage for the building.
Approval is being sought for design of the building’s main entrance on Commerce Street, as well as the back of the building which currently holds the entrance for breakfast restaurant First Watch."
Escape the winter chill and immerse yourself in the warmth of country music with Dollywood's DreamMore Resort's Winter Concert Series. From January to early March, cozy up in an intimate setting and experience live performances by renowned country music artists. Whether you're a seasoned music enthusiast or simply seeking a delightful winter getaway, Dollywood's Winter Concert Series offers an unforgettable experience. Choose from individual concert tickets or a convenient room package that includes two tickets to the performance of your choice. Embrace the soothing melodies, revel in the vibrant atmosphere, and create cherished memories at Dollywood's DreamMore Resort's Winter Concert Series.
This year we have two options for ticketing. One for resort guests who buy a package, and one for non-resort guests.
Tickets and more information can be found at THIS LINK at the Dollywood website.
Featured Artists for 2024
Ronnie McDowell - On Dolly's Rockstar album, her song "I dreamed about Elvis", she recorded it years ago with The Jordanaires and Ronnie McDowell. You just need to listen to the 2-3 minute interview she did in support of Rockstar - below.
Here's a LINK to the Cued Up Video I'm referring to: Click Here
OR
If you'd prefer to jump to 3:30:00 in the video, you can do that below.
I recommend watching the whole video, above, if you are a Dolly Fan/ Rockstar fan.
Here is I Dreamed About Elvis, from Rockstar
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Check out my blog for all types of Dolly Parton news and videos. I have a show on youtube called What's Up At Dollywood and I have tons of Dollywood videos!
I hope that you all enjoyed your Thanksgiving break and hopefully too, you were able to enjoy Dolly's performance during the halftime show.
I cannot remember a Thanksgiving without watching the Cowboys, so I already knew my family would be tuned in. When Dolly appeared in the itty-bittiest outfit I've ever seen her wear, we all giggled a bit, but we also loved her show! I'm glad she did it and I was excited to see her sing a new song from Rockstar. She has commented recently that she wasn't going to tour with it citing 'getting all of that talent together' would be impossible. She chose 'We Are The Champions', which she did as a solo on Rockstar, so that was do-able for live tv.
I recognized her three seasoned backup singers, but the accompanying band was unfamiliar, suggesting she had assembled a new ensemble to support her performance.
I read a lot of news about Dolly, and of course, some folks were ''shocked'' by her outfit. Whatever. Dolly does many things well, one of which is knowing how to read a room. So, pfft to those folks!
I was hoping to embed the video into this blog post, but no, that is seemingly impossible to do with all of the legal restrictions with the NFL, CBS and everyone else involved, so, here's a link to youtube to watch it there.
Here is a round-up of recent Dolly interviews. Dolly has been on a blitz lately, giving interviews left and right in anticipation of the release of her rock album, Rock Star, out Friday, November 17th, 2023.
Dolly Parton Interviews
During the grand opening of the HeartSong Lodge and Resort, Dolly Parton sat down for a series of interviews with various media outlets.
United Kingdom Promotional Trip
As part of her recent promotional trip to the United Kingdom, Dolly Parton conducted an interview with BBC reporter, Zoe Ball.
CBS and ABC Interviews
Dolly Parton has also been featured in recent interviews with CBS and ABC.
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Nashville's Talk of the Town - a 30-minute episode dedicated to Dollywood, HeartSong, their Dolly interview and a nice look at Nashville's Lipscomb University's exhibit on Dolly's style team gurus who make Dolly's clothes for all her various events, performances, engagements, etc. Its a peek behind the curtain, so to speak, or Behind The Seams, as Dolly puts it in her new book, which is the basis for the exhibit. Watch that HERE.
Dolly is releasing her Rock Star album this Friday the 17th, which I can't stop talking about. One of the many editions of Rock Star is a UT version of the album in CD form.
UT Football is not predicted to win this game, but WHO KNOWS! A divine miracle, like Dolly Parton showing up, might be the motivation the Vols need to get this critical Win. I will go ahead and predict a last-second "HAIL DOLLY'' will be thrown and the Vols receiver will be wide open in the end zone, and catches it, and holds on to it just long enough to be a T, and if there truly ever was a miracle, a holding call will not be flagged.
We have finally reached release week for Dolly's rock album, Rock Star! She has teased the heck out of this album for over a year now, and we'll get to hear it in its entirety. The musical movie will premiere around the country on Wednesday November 15th and some select encore performances on Thursday the 16th.
I just learned that Dollywood will be showing the Rock Star movie in the Dreamsong Theater (next to former Chasing Rainbows museum) on Friday the 17th IF YOU ARE A GOLD OR DIAMOND PASS HOLDER, so if you happen to be at Dollywood, or are willing to make that trip on Friday, then you can really maximize your Dolly Parton exposure by watching it at Dollywood. How many other artists can you really connect to like that?? NONE, the answer is NONE.
CLICK HERE to see all of this important information, and to make Reservations, at dollywood.com's website.
I have a couple of updates about the Smoky Mountain Christmas food options for you today.
🔵 First, The Celebration Hall Buffet (Country Fair Area) is continuing from the previous festival into the Smoky Mtn Christmas Festival.
🔹 One great way to access the Celebration Hall is to use the Handicapable pathway behind Dogs N Taters, that runs alongside the rampage ride, under the train and then boom, you're right there. As opposed to going up the hill towards the Village, crossing the tracks, and down the hill into Country Fair.
Click Here to Buy Tickets at least 24 hours in advance, if you like, and you can read more details as well.
Here are the menu offerings - subject to change, it says! Click image to Enlarge.
Here's a recent picture of the Celebration Hall. I took this b/c they razed a little building, you can see how the pavement is different, but now there's plenty of space to linger!
🔵 Second, Dollywood has released information about its popular Tasting Pass for Smoky Mountain Christmas, so let's dig into it. All this info comes from Dollywood.com/themepark/dinding/christmas-tasting pass - LINK HERE.
Menu Offerings for 2023, Click to Enlarge
Here's the link to the "BUY NOW" button above, click here.
What do you think about either of these options? Will you and your guests use the tasting pass? If so, what are your thoughts about it all? Tell me in the comments!
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