With much of the country focused on the extensive destruction suffered in Pigeon Forge, TN when wildfires raged through the area just after Thanksgiving, many people may not recognize that the community is quickly rebuilding and getting back to work. The various attractions that have drawn people to the region for some time are still in operation for the most part, with the rest planning to reopen soon.
And the biggest of them all is Dollywood, the 150 acre entertainment theme park and resort owned by Dolly Parton. As a native of the area, Dolly has long been involved in the bluegrass and traditional mountain music that resonates in these hills, and the park has always had summer job opportunities for bluegrass bands and musicians.
On February 19, Dollywood is holding open call auditions for bluegrass musicians to perform unamplified in the park during their annual Barbeque & Bluegrass Festival held in May at the park. The pickers chosen on the 19th will roam the park during the festival, either solo or as a group, adding to the grassy feel throughout Dollywood.
Auditions will run from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., with registration beginning that morning at 9:00. You may audition as a group, duo, or by yourself.
Paige Bales, Dollywood entertainment director, says that they are looking for dynamic performers to stand out at the park.
“We have an impressive level of quality talent at Dollywood. Each year we challenge ourselves to continue our high standard of entertainment, and it all begins with the people we are able to find at each of our auditions. We’ve helped a number of entertainers launch great careers and we’re excited to see who we’ll discover next.”
The park is located at 2700 Dollywood Parks Blvd. in Pigeon Forge, TN. Anyone interested in auditioning is asked to simply arrive at Dollywood on the 19th, ready to perform. Some further details can be found online.
Dollywood operates each year from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
We’ve received a number of questions and suggestions about relief efforts for the many residents of East Tennessee who have been burned out, or lost their employment because of the recent wildfires near Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. A good many of the people affected are bluegrass artists and musicians who work in the various tourist attractions in that area.
Christmas is usually a big season in Sevier County, with a number of special events that bring in visitors by the thousands, but many facilities and roads in the region are still closed, leaving these performers out of work at the end of the year.
Of course people have been quick to look for ways to offer assistance to all the residents whose lives or livelihoods have been impacted by the fires, so help is on the way. And because of the concentration of bluegrass fans and pickers in East Tennessee, they are among the first to come forward.
Here are a few ways you can join in the relief efforts.
Unsurprisingly, Dolly Parton, whose Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge helped make this part of the state such a tourist draw, has stepped up quickly through her Dollywood Foundation. They are soliciting funds now to reach their goal of being able to offer $1,000/month to families who lost everything in the fire until they can get back on their feet.
Parton is a native of the region, and owns several properties along the strip in Pigeon Forge. Many of her employees have been affected by the wildfires. She created this video to publicize her efforts, and to request donations for their local assistance efforts.
Donations can be made at the Dollywood Foundation web site.
Ole Smoky Moonshine, which has three distillery locations in the area, is trying to get back online as quickly as possible. The shop in Sevierville remains open as it was not in the fire zone, and the Pigeon Forge spot reopened today. They are hoping to have the Gatlinburg location up and running again by the middle of next week. All of these facilities hire bluegrass bands to perform while they are open, and the staff has tried to rearrange schedules so that the Gatlinburg bands can get a shift at least every other day until they open back up.
As many as seven Ole Smoky employees lost everything in the fires, and a GoFundMe page has been established to raise money for their immediate needs.
Gary Brewer will be soliciting funds for fire relief at the Shepherdsville Music Barn in Kentucky, starting with tomorrow’s concert with The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys. If you attend these Friday night shows, please consider a donation at their Mercy Table. Door proceeds will also be given to relief efforts.
Lorraine Jordan has created a special ticket for her Christmas in the Smokies festival, running next weekend at the Ramada Inn & Smoky Mountain Convention Center in Pigeon Forge. Proceeds from these $15 general admission tickets for Friday and Saturday nights will be given to the Dollywood Foundation’s relief fund. A who’s who of bluegrass entertainment will be appearing at the festival, on top of all the other Christmas activities in town.
Lorraine asked that we remind everyone that one of the best ways you can help the local economy is to come and visit. Despite the destruction along the hillsides, the fires didn’t damage the main strip to speak off, and Pigeon Forge is open for business.
“We are blessed that the fires have been contained and that the area where we host the festival is free of any problems. As the promoter, I feel that the best way to help the community is through Dolly Parton’s My People Fund. Please join us in helping out the victims of this terrible experience by coming to the festival and supporting the area economy with your tourism dollars and your ticket donation.”
Moonstruck Management is currently working on a large benefit concert for early February in the Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg area. Josh Trivett and his team have plenty of experience in event production, so this should be a really big show. We’ll share those details as soon as they are announced.
The Gatlinburg Christmas Parade has been cancelled for this year, but people there expect to have everything back open sometime next week. Sadly, some area landmarks are gone, but the biggest part of what you may remember from downtown Gatlinburg is still going strong.
Area merchants and venues ask that if you had made plans to be in town in December, please don’t cancel because of the fires. Check with them to see if they are open, and come on down!
Following the big weather news this week, it seems clear that a great many of our readers will have snow to deal with over the next few days. And as always, the southeastern US is unequipped to deal with blizzard conditions, before, during, and after.
Among the many closings and cancellations being reported, here is one that may affect folks in our readership.
The bluegrass and Gospel music auditions scheduled at Dollywood for this weekend have been postponed. Sunday, January 24 was to have been the day for bluegrass and Southern Gospel groups to audition for performing spots at the park in 2016, but safety and travel concerns for staff and entertainers planning to travel to Pigeon Forge have necessitated moving them to next weekend.
These auditions have been rescheduled for Sunday, January 31. Registration begins at 9:00 a.m., with auditions running from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Last year Dollywood had 150 acts show up for auditions, and they expect more for 2016.
The success of the Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge, TN has spurred the tourist and entertainment industry industry in East Tennessee. Millions of visitors have toured the park in recent years, and the newer adjacent Dolly-themed water park, leading to growth in the hotel trade, restaurants, and other attractions along the strip.
Each season Dollywood hires dozens of young entertainers, including bluegrass pickers and singers, chosen in open auditions in January.
The 2015 auditions have been announced for next month:
Atlanta, Georgia
Saturday, Jan. 3
Balzer Theater at Herren’s
84 Luckie St. NW
Nashville, Tennessee
Saturday, Jan. 17
Rocketown
601 4th Ave. South
Auditions are limited to performers 17 years and older.
Registration at each location begins at 10:00 a.m., with auditions running from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Bluegrass and Gospel singers and instrumentalists are sought.
The good folks at Dollywood asked us to pass along that they are on the hunt for a utility player for the 2013 season, which runs from April 2013 to January 4, 2014.
The successful applicant must play fiddle, and will be able to proficiently double on mandolin, dobro, steel, acoustic or electric guitar. This is a full-time, 5 days a week position.
To be considered, email a resume, letter of interest and references to auditions@dollywood.com.
Dollywood, the entertainment theme park co-owned by country star Dolly Parton and located near her childhood home in Sevierville, TN, has announced open auditions in four US cities starting later this month. They will be looking for singers, actors, specialty acts, small
bands, stage managers, technicians and dressers for its ’08 season, which runs from March 21, 2008 to January 3, 2009.
Among the categories they are seeking is bluegrass bands willing to perform daily at the park.
Auditions will be held as follows:
1/19/08 – Cincinnati, OH Xavier University’s Schiff Family Conference Center at the Cintas Center, 1624 Herald Ave., 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
The park puts on seven live stage shows daily during their main season, and six during their Smoky Mountain Christmas celebration. They promote these opportunities as a chance for artists and technicians to earn a competitive salary (with benefits) while gaining stage experience at a recognized facility. Relocation packages are also offered.
Complete employment and audition requirements can be found on the Dollywood site.
Dollywood has announced the dates and locations for their 2007 audition tour. These auditions are for singers, actors, musicians, dancers, technicians and specialty acts who are interested in employment at the park during the 2007 season (March 31-December 30). They are looking for singers and instrumentalists familiar with country, bluegrass, 50’s and 60s’ pop or musical theater.
The auditions will be held in several cities during the first two weeks on January to give as many potential performers as possible an opportunity to showcase for the audition panel.
January 6: Atlanta, GA – Sheraton Midtown Atlanta Colony Square, 2:00 p.m. January 7: Asheville, NC – The Grey Eagle Music Hall, 1:00 p.m. (musicians only) January 13: Nashville, TN – Sheraton Downtown, 11:00 a.m. January 14: Nashville,TN – Soundcheck, 1:00 p.m. (musicians only) January 20: Cincinnati,OH – Aronoff Center, 11:00 a.m. January 27: Pigeon Forge, TN – Dollywood, 11:00 a.m. January 28: Pigeon Forge, TN – Dollywood, 1:00 p.m. (musicians only)
More details, including audition site addresses, audition and employment requirements, and salary information can be found on the Dollywood Employment web site.
Dollywood Entertainment Park will be conducting auditions for performers in five cities during January of 2006. They are looking for singers, actors, specialty performers, instrumentalists, stage managers and technicians for the April 1 – December 30 season. Auditions will be held in Atlanta, GA (1/7), Asheville, NC (1/8), Nashville, TN (1/14-15), Cincinnati, OH (1/21), and Pigeon Forge, TN (1/28-29).
This year they have set aside several of the audition dates as “musician only” auditions, but musical performers and singers are welcome to audition in any city on any of these dates. Much of the entertainment in the park has a bluegrass theme, and they are actively seeking bluegrass pickers and singers. Banjo, fiddle, guitar and mandolin players are encouraged to audition, and the ability to both sing and play is a big plus.
