Did anyone else see the telethon last night? In just two weeks time Dolly Parton and her friends in Nashville put together a very nice effort to help all of those burned out in the Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee, and it culminated with a telethon last night of amazing performances, mostly stripped-down acoustic performances that really fit the mood and put heart over production. Amazing.
For those who don't know, hundreds of homes and cabins were destroyed in crazy wildfires two weeks ago in Sevier County, Tennessee, which is the home of the tourist towns of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge and host to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Fire ravaged the area, and hundreds of families were displaced. It is Dolly Parton's hometown area, and the home to her Dollywood theme park and resort, as well as the setting for her TV movies, "Coat of Many Colors" and "Christmas of Many Colors." She has long given back to her community, in ways that include a library and a library fund that sends books regularly to Sevier County students who sign up for the program. She also funds college scholarships for students of the area.
So, it was natural for her to take a leadership role in responding to the devastation; and it appears that she used her influence and connections to make it happen in record time. First she announced a couple of weeks ago that she would guarantee $1000 per month for up to six months for every family who was burned out of their home in the area to help them get on their feet. Through her Dollywood Foundation she established the "My People Fund" to administer it. Then she set up this telethon to make it go farther. I was particularly moved by the fact that she made the promise that these funds would be concrete and available before any telethon was announced or any other donors made public. The date was set as Thursday, December 15, when the first $1000 checks would be made available -- the date set and announced long before a dime was donated through last night's telethon.
But then came the telethon. And what an amazing time to see so many country stars and others taking time with less than two weeks notice to do what they could do to help.
It has been said before, but I think it bears repeating, that the country music community is unlike any other in America. They compete, yes, but they also come together as a family often. I think it is what makes the Grand Ole Opry an institution. The Opry was not directly involved last night, as it already had a booked show going on, but many of its members and announcers were there, along with so many others from the community. It was truly a blessing to watch.
Dolly sang some amazing songs, as did Alison Krauss, Reba McEntire, Cyndi Lauper, Jamey Johnson, Chris Jansen, Larry Gatlin, Michael W. Smith, Amy Grant, Don McLean, Rhonda Vincent, and even Hank Williams Jr.
At least one TV station that was broadcasting it seems to have left if available to watch again, although they seemed to have missed the first 30 minutes or so. But here it is if you are interested:
http://www.wrcbtv.com/story/3400526...n-rise-telethon-adds-more-performers-to-event
Bottom line for me is that it was cool to see people rise up and do something to make a real difference in such a short period of time. God bless Dolly Parton and the people of the Smoky Mountains.
For those who don't know, hundreds of homes and cabins were destroyed in crazy wildfires two weeks ago in Sevier County, Tennessee, which is the home of the tourist towns of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge and host to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Fire ravaged the area, and hundreds of families were displaced. It is Dolly Parton's hometown area, and the home to her Dollywood theme park and resort, as well as the setting for her TV movies, "Coat of Many Colors" and "Christmas of Many Colors." She has long given back to her community, in ways that include a library and a library fund that sends books regularly to Sevier County students who sign up for the program. She also funds college scholarships for students of the area.
So, it was natural for her to take a leadership role in responding to the devastation; and it appears that she used her influence and connections to make it happen in record time. First she announced a couple of weeks ago that she would guarantee $1000 per month for up to six months for every family who was burned out of their home in the area to help them get on their feet. Through her Dollywood Foundation she established the "My People Fund" to administer it. Then she set up this telethon to make it go farther. I was particularly moved by the fact that she made the promise that these funds would be concrete and available before any telethon was announced or any other donors made public. The date was set as Thursday, December 15, when the first $1000 checks would be made available -- the date set and announced long before a dime was donated through last night's telethon.
But then came the telethon. And what an amazing time to see so many country stars and others taking time with less than two weeks notice to do what they could do to help.
It has been said before, but I think it bears repeating, that the country music community is unlike any other in America. They compete, yes, but they also come together as a family often. I think it is what makes the Grand Ole Opry an institution. The Opry was not directly involved last night, as it already had a booked show going on, but many of its members and announcers were there, along with so many others from the community. It was truly a blessing to watch.
Dolly sang some amazing songs, as did Alison Krauss, Reba McEntire, Cyndi Lauper, Jamey Johnson, Chris Jansen, Larry Gatlin, Michael W. Smith, Amy Grant, Don McLean, Rhonda Vincent, and even Hank Williams Jr.
At least one TV station that was broadcasting it seems to have left if available to watch again, although they seemed to have missed the first 30 minutes or so. But here it is if you are interested:
http://www.wrcbtv.com/story/3400526...n-rise-telethon-adds-more-performers-to-event
Bottom line for me is that it was cool to see people rise up and do something to make a real difference in such a short period of time. God bless Dolly Parton and the people of the Smoky Mountains.
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