A Week of Unforgettable "Smoky Mountain Memories"

Ben & Dolly at Dollywood's DreamMore Resort on May 23, 2024.

Ben with friends at Night 1 of filming for the Smoky Mountain DNA docu-series.

I have just returned home from a week in Pigeon Forge and it was without a doubt the best week I've ever spent in the Smokies. I planned this trip around the opening of The Dolly Parton Experience at Dollywood, a new immersive museum complex telling Dolly's story though three unique exhibits and her home on wheels. During my stay I finally met Dolly and ended the week attending the first night of filming for Dolly's new docu-series at the Bijou Theatre in Knoxville. It turned into so much more than just a week-long getaway to celebrate a new venture for Dolly. I met up with some old friends and made several new ones. I absolutely did not want to come back home. 

Meeting Dolly

Thursday, May 23, 2024, is a day that I will never forget and probably never get over. Thanks to some wonderful friends I was finally able to spend a few seconds with Dolly and get a picture with her. I don't remember what I said to her or if I even spoke at all. She is incredibly stunning in person. Afterwards, my eyes were teary, my hands were shaking, I could hardly even speak. After a few minutes I calmed down and sent the picture to my family back home. I couldn't believe the moment I had dreamed of for years had finally become reality. I'll never be able to express my thanks completely to the friends that made this moment happen for me. 

The Dolly Parton Experience

Ben in the section of Songteller: Dolly's Journey dedicated to her 1976–1977 variety series.

On Friday, May 24, 2024, The Dolly Parton Experience officially opened to the public. The first building, Songteller: Dolly's Journey, takes you on an immersive trip wiith Dolly from the foothills of the Smoky Mountains to Nashville and beyond. This exhibit currently showcases a replica of the Coat of Many Colors, three costumes from 9 to 5, three costumes from Heartstrings, and four of Dolly's rhinestoned guitars. There is also a huge wall covered in many of Dolly's silver and gold RIAA certifications. Behind the Seams: Dolly's Life in Rhinestones is my favorite part of the Experience. This exhibit showcases many of Dolly's clothes from throughout her career, as well as wigs and some smaller memorabilia. The third part of the Experience is Precious Memories, which is located in the lobby of the Dreamsong Theater. This exhibit shares memories of Dolly and her family. And of course, the Experience wouldn't be complete without Dolly's home on wheels, her tour bus. The Dolly Parton Experience is a spectacular celebration of Dolly's iconic and illustrious career.

Heidi Parton's Kin & Friends, a new show starring Dolly's niece Heidi, opened in the Dreamsong Theater on May 24 also. It is a fantastic show and I had the pleasure of attending the first performance along with Dolly who gave a short introduction and welcome before joining us in the audience. 

The day ended with Dolly's traditional parade through the park in her vintage DeWitt. It was a spectacular day at the park filled with "memories worth repeating."

~Image Gallery~

Night 1 of 'Smoky Mountain DNA' Filming

Ben's ticket to Night 1 of the 'Smoky Mountain DNA' filming.

I was lucky enough to attend the first of three nights of filming for Dolly's Smoky Mountain DNA docu-series at the Bijou Theatre in Knoxville on Tuesday, May 28 (which was coincidentally the 10 year anniversary of my first Dolly concert, also in Knoxville for Blue Smoke). After we were checked-in at the venue, we had to place our phones in a sealed pouch so there would be no photos or videos leaked. The evening was unforgettable. We were seated on the front row and my eyes were teary from the moment I sat down. I couldn't believe how close we were going to be to Dolly. When Dolly entered through the stage door I almost cried. A few minutes later the filming started and we spent the next two hours just a few feet away from Dolly as she performed eight songs (two or three times each) with her sisters, nieces, and cousins. Among the songs were "Smoky Mountain DNA" with Heidi Parton, Jada Starr, Shelley Rená, Rachel Parton, and Rebecca Seaver, and "The Orchard" with Jada Starr (who also wrote the song). The music from this new album is going to be so wonderful and I am so excited about this project. The highlight of the evening though was spending two hours close enough to Dolly to hear her joking with her family members in between takes.