| Prestigious Southern Gospel Event Opens Dollywood�s 2010 National Southern Gospel & Harvest Celebration | Monthlong Festival Features 300 Free Southern Gospel Concerts Prestigious Southern Gospel Event Opens Dollywood�s 2010 National Southern Gospel & Harvest Celebration |  Dolly
attended the SGMA�s Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and the Singing News
Fan Awards to accept the James D. Vaughan Impact Award. Credited as the
father of Southern gospel music, Vaughan is credited with establishing
the first professional traveling gospel quartet in addition to his extensive
music publishing. The award honors those who have made significant contributions
to Southern gospel music.
�I grew up singing in church where my grandpa, the Rev. Jake Owens, preached, so I have a great love of Southern gospel music which makes this award truly an honor for me,� Parton said. �I�m especially thrilled that Dollywood�s National Southern Gospel & Harvest Celebration offers folks an entire month of spiritual music and songs that are so very special and close to my heart.� SGMA Hall of Fame inductees and Singing News Fan Awards nominees and performers participated in a parade of stars, walking a red carpet along Dollywood�s Showstreet to DP�s Celebrity Theatre where the show took place. The SGMA Hall of Fame and Museum opened at Dollywood in 1999. The day-long events serve as the official kickoff of Dollywood�s annual National Southern Gospel & Harvest Celebration, which includes 300 free Southern gospel concerts through Oct. 30. Performing during the monthlong event are Dollywood�s award-winning Kingdom Heirs (daily), The McKameys (Oct. 8 & 9), Gold City (Oct. 3 & 4), Guy Penrod (Oct. 22-24), The Bowling Family (Oct. 2 & 4), The Nelons (Oct. 15 & 16), The Florida Boys (Oct. 1 & 3) and many more. Visit Dollywood.com for a complete concert listing. All concerts are included with Dollywood admission (excluding the Singing News Fan Awards). Dollywood�s annual autumn extravaganza also includes the artistry of visiting crafters from across the country, special menu items that celebrate the harvest season and an elaborate display of fall décor. Dollywood, a 150-acre family adventure park in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., won the Golden Tickets� 2007 Publisher�s Pick for best theme park. Open nine months a year (March 27, 2010-Jan. 1, 2011), Dollywood offers more than 40 rides and attractions, including Thunderhead and Mystery Mine coasters. The winner of 15 Big E Entertainment Awards, more than any other park in the world, and two Golden Tickets for Best Shows, Dollywood�s live entertainment features country, bluegrass, gospel and mountain music. Plus, a dozen crafters authentic to the East Tennessee region demonstrate daily. Operating days and hours vary. More information is available by calling 1-800-DOLLYWOOD or visiting Dollywood.com. Media:
Contact Dollywood Public Relations Manager Pete Owens at 865-428-9486 or
by email at powens@dollywood.com
for B-roll, photography and more information. Check the Dollywood Press
Room at www.dollywood.com/press-room
for updates and new images.
 |
|
|
|
