S4, E6: Dolly Parton's Journey from a Humble Cabin to a Thriving Smoky Mountains Legacy

In the sixth episode of Travel Tales by Dinogo, season four, we welcome Dolly Parton to share her insights on accommodations, her cherished Smoky Mountains, and the reasons why travel serves as the ultimate education.

Transcript

Dolly Parton: I’m just so proud to be a girl from Tennessee, particularly from East Tennessee, and to be connected to the Smoky Mountains. I’m the only one who ever left the Smoky Mountains and took them along with me. That’s one of my classic jokes, yeah. Oh Jack, don’t feel awkward.

Aislyn Greene, host: I’m Aislyn Greene, and this is Travel Tales by Dinogo. Each episode features a traveler sharing a transformative trip. This season, I’m also discussing life’s essential travel questions with each storyteller. Well, I’m not literally with them, since I’m recording from my houseboat in Sausalito, but you get the idea.

This week, we're thrilled to host a very special guest adorned in sequins: the one and only Dolly Parton. Hailing from Tennessee’s Great Smoky Mountains, this region has profoundly influenced her work. It's where she finds inspiration for her songs and a place to rejuvenate. Throughout her adult life, Dolly has dedicated herself to giving back, advocating for children's education, supporting wildfire and flood relief efforts, and significantly investing in tourism in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Not to forget, her theme park, Dollywood, which opened in 1986, and her first resort, DreamMore, launched in 2015.

Hotels are actually why we’re here today. Last week, Dolly inaugurated her newest resort, HeartSong Lodge & Resort, located just two miles from Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Award-winning travel writer Elaine Glusac attended the press conference and had the opportunity to converse with the Smoky Mountain Songbird about the hotel, the significance of travel to Dolly, and her future tourism initiatives.

We'll start with the press conference that marked the hotel's grand opening, followed by Elaine's chat with Dolly. Of course, no episode featuring Dolly would be complete without her music, so stick around for her heartfelt rendition of her 1994 hit, Heartsong, after which the lodge is named. Here’s Dolly.

Dolly Parton: Well, hello everyone! Woohoo! Welcome to the HeartSong Lodge Resort and Lodge. How are you enjoying it so far? I want to extend a warm welcome to all of you. This is a significant day for us. You’ve probably been watching me. Oh, look at those lovely girls in their colorful coats. I adore that. I believe I met you two yesterday, right? Great to see you again.

Anyway, I want to greet all of you. Hi, Sherry. Hi, Jack. How’s everyone doing? As you may know, I’ve been busy promoting my upcoming rock album. Yes, a rock and roll album is on the way! I had the chance to perform with many iconic artists, singing our beloved classics. I hope you’ll enjoy it!

I’m thrilled to announce my new book titled Behind the Seams: My Life in Rhinestones. It chronicles my entire journey through the iconic outfits I’ve worn, showcasing the highs, lows, and everything in between. Ha ha ha! Putting this book together was a blast as I reminisced over all my hairstyles and fashion choices. I often thought, “Goodness, was I really serious about that?” But we always are, aren’t we, when we reflect back?

Hi, Andrew. Hi, Eugene! How’s everyone doing? I’m super excited to officially open our HeartSong Lodge & Resort. I’ve been keeping a close eye on the construction since day one and I absolutely adore the concept of having this lodge here.

It truly gives you the feeling of being nestled in the mountains, and I just love everything about it. I appreciate the idea of a lodge over a typical resort; while it is indeed a resort, I prefer something with a more rustic charm—though I’d say it’s a chic kind of rustic, wouldn’t you agree?

I’m just overjoyed to see it completed! There are a few minor details left, but you can hardly notice them. People are calling me—what do they say—a hotelier now? Ha ha ha! I’m not sure about that title, but it brings back memories of Steel Magnolias. Have you ever seen that film?

In the movie, I played a hairdresser named Truvy. When I opened my second salon, I joked, “I’m a chain!” So now we have two hotels. I’m officially a chain! But let me assure you, this is just the beginning. I might not know everything I should, though I like to pretend I do. But I know someone who does. Eugene, why don’t you come up here? He’s our president, Eugene Naughton.

Eugene Naughton: Hi, Dolly! We’re absolutely thrilled to help make this dream a reality for you. HeartSong represents a significant milestone not just for Dollywood Parks and Resorts, but also for Herschend [Enterprises]. With 300 rooms that celebrate your passion for the Smoky Mountains, it's truly special. And what's a game changer for us? We’ve added 26,000 square feet of convention space to the facility.

Dolly: That sounds fantastic! It means you can welcome business folks from all over the country and even the world. You can host family reunions here! I know you mentioned it's spacious, but is it big enough for my entire family?

Eugene: Absolutely! We can't wait to welcome them. We must keep pushing forward, so we have an exciting refresh planned for DreamMore.

Dolly: I know!

Eugene: Right after we wrap up the holidays.

Dolly: I think that’s wonderful for DreamMore. I truly adore that place. Every few years, I treat myself to a little facelift, a little nip and tuck, so it seems only fitting to do the same for my favorite hotel.

Dolly: Hello!

Elaine Glusac: Dolly Parton, it’s such a pleasure to meet you.

Dolly: Thank you!

Elaine: We’d love to discuss your projects here. I read that Dollywood embodies, quote unquote, “the Smoky Mountains way of life.” Could you explain that for those who may not be familiar?

Dolly: Well, it’s a straightforward way of life. It's relaxed and, in many respects, quite rustic. With our new HeartSong Lodge, we've aimed to capture that rustic charm. We made sure to preserve as many trees as possible and nestled the lodge deep into the hills, allowing guests to truly experience the environment. Each room features balconies where you can step out, listen to the birds, and hear the hoot owls at night.

For me, it's all about embracing a simpler way of life, and my love for these mountains runs deep. Growing up here, I cherish having the amenities of a fine hotel while still feeling like you’re out in nature.

Elaine: I love that perspective. I wanted to ask about your hotel experiences. What do you prioritize when choosing a hotel, and how did that influence your designs?

Dolly: Comfort is key for me. I always appreciate having a nice bathroom and a cozy bed. A clean bed is essential. My husband and I used to travel a lot in our little RV, stopping at all sorts of motels. We didn’t mind the modest places as long as the bed and bathroom were clean; we’d happily stay there.

Of course, over the years, we've continued to enjoy our travels in our RV, but staying at a place like our resort is a whole different experience, whether it’s at the

Staying at DreamMore or the new HeartSong Lodge is wonderful because it combines all the comforts of home with a touch of what they call glamping. It's a bit like that, really.

Elaine: I'm curious about the Dolly Parton Experience that's set to debut next year. It sounds like an immersive personal museum. What insights do you hope visitors will gain from it?

Dolly: I believe fans already know quite a bit about me, but there are many who come for the theme park experience without being deeply familiar with my story. This experience will take visitors through my life journey—from childhood memories and church influences to my growth as an artist. We’ll utilize modern technology to create a vibrant and engaging presentation, showcasing my past in an exciting way that feels relevant today. It’s about merging my history with the future, making it even more captivating.

To answer your question, I want visitors to leave feeling informed and inspired, thinking, “Wow, that was an incredible experience. It truly lives up to its name.”

Elaine: I also wanted to touch on your work with the Imagination Library, which promotes childhood literacy. You've invested significantly in that and in tourism here. Do you see a connection between education and the learning opportunities that travel provides? How do you envision influencing young people?

Dolly: I truly believe that if you have the chance to travel—though I didn’t receive a formal education—I’ve learned far more from my experiences abroad than I ever could have by just staying home. I’ve visited nearly every country in the world.

I've encountered diverse cultures, tasted various cuisines, and navigated through different customs. Each journey has deepened my appreciation for America, especially knowing all the rules and norms in other places can make you a bit cautious. You always want to avoid making mistakes while abroad.

But coming back home, you understand your freedoms much better. Despite any challenges we face, I firmly believe America remains the greatest country in the world. This isn’t just national pride; it’s a conclusion drawn from my global travels. There’s something here for everyone.

Traveling enriches your education, even within the United States. Every town and city offers unique experiences and perspectives. I’ve cherished my travels for the invaluable awareness they’ve brought, revealing so many things I was previously unaware of.

Elaine: Let’s shift focus back to this area—what do you love about it, and what activities do you enjoy besides visiting Dollywood?

Dolly: Naturally, whenever I return to this area, my heart belongs to the Great Smoky Mountains. Having grown up here, I hold a special pride in the fact that it is the most visited national park in the United States—a fact that many people don’t realize or believe.

They often assume it's Yellowstone or another park, but no, it’s indeed the Great Smoky Mountains. I take pride in that, as well as the breathtaking beauty surrounding us. We boast the largest variety of trees in North America, which is why the foliage is stunning in both spring and fall. I adore our rivers, streams, and all the natural wonders here. Growing up surrounded by woods and flowing streams made me feel deeply connected to nature.

We felt like we were part of the rocks, trees, and the forest—just a couple of country kids. This connection remains a fundamental part of my soul and mental well-being. It’s my source of stability and sanity. When life gets chaotic, I can always return to that simpler way of living, and it brings me healing and restoration.

Thus, I often come back home to recharge, especially when the outside world feels overwhelming.

Elaine: Nature truly is a healing force. So, do you prefer hiking or driving?

Dolly: I prefer to drive these days. Back when I was more of a tomboy, I used to hike all over these hills like you wouldn't believe as a kid. But then I got into wearing high heels and having long nails, which aren't exactly practical for hiking.

Dolly: How about I share a little song? I’ve written quite a few, and many places around here are named after my songs. One in particular is called Heartsong. It’s a little piece I wrote a while back, right around the time we discussed opening the lodge. Unfortunately, Eugene took up a lot of my time, so I can only share a snippet now. Here it goes.

A heartsong melodyPlays like a symphonyThe sweetest music I have ever knownA song of joy and painThe mountain angels singA bittersweet refrain of my Smoky Mountain homeHeart song

Now this Smoky Mountain girlHas traveled all around the worldBut it doesn’t matter how far I goI still hold dear that partOf my heart that I cherish soMy faith in GodAnd memories of homeA heartsong melodyPlays like a symphonyThe sweetest music I have ever knownA song of joy and painThe mountain angels singA bittersweet refrain of my Smoky Mountain homeHeart song

Yes, I just came here to singAbout my Smoky Mountain Lodge

Aislyn: That was Dolly Parton! A big thank you to Elaine for facilitating this, and to you, Dolly, for taking the time to chat with us. We’ll include links to Dolly’s new book and all the details about her hotel in the show notes.

We’ll also provide links to Elaine’s website and her impressive body of work, along with her social media profiles. She’s a fantastic writer, and I highly recommend following her. Next week, I’ll be back to share my own Travel Tale for the very first time. This summer, I had the chance to indulge in culinary delights across France, and I can’t wait to tell you all about it.

Want more Travel Tales? Check out Dinogo.com/podcast, and don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and X at @Dinogomedia. If you enjoyed today’s adventure, I hope you’ll return for more captivating stories. Subscribing makes it easy! You can find Travel Tales by Dinogo on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform. Please rate and review the show, as it helps us attract amazing guests like today’s, and aids other travelers in discovering it.

This has been Travel Tales, a Dinogo Media production. The podcast is brought to you by Aislyn Greene and Nikki Galteland, with music composed and produced by Strike Audio.

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