Knoxville/ Fun & Entertainment
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Published on May 24, 2024
Dolly Parton & Family to Enchant Fans with Live Album Tapings at Knoxville's Bijou TheatreSource: Eva Rinaldi, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Queen of Country, Dolly Parton, alongside her kin, is setting up shop at Knoxville's Bijou Theatre to capture the essence of her new album in a series of live tapings next week. Fans of the beloved legend should circle May 28 to May 30 on their calendars, however, getting a seat might be as tough as a two-dollar steak — the event is already sold out, though hope lingers on the waitlist, according to WVLT.

The upcoming album, quaintly titled "Dolly Parton & Family: Smoky Mountain DNA – Family, Faith & Fables," delves deep into the Parton and Owens family musical lineage. The project will sing stories tracing back to their 1600s UK origins before making their home in the idyllic terrain of East Tennessee's Smoky Mountains. "I cannot believe that it has been 60 years this month since I graduated from Sevier County High School and moved to Nashville to pursue my dreams," Parton told fans during the reveal, as Knox News reported. Each show will kick off at the family-friendly hour of 4:30 p.m., wrapping up before the clock hits 8:00 p.m.

But don't think you can sneak a selfie or live-tweet the event; the "once in a lifetime" tapings have stringent policies that include no phones and adhering to producers' seating and standing directives. For those looking to secure their very own piece of Parton music magic, mark June 21 on your calendars. That's when the hype train leaves the station, with the full tracklist reveal and a special pre-order that gifts fans two free tracks just for showing their early support.

Produced by Dolly's cousin, Richie Owens, the album promises to be a true family affair, looping in generations of Partons and Owens to strum and sing songs seeped in shared history and heart. The documentary series, aiming for a fall release, will add another layer of insight into the family who put the 'country' in 'country music.' "It's always good, I think, to know who you are and where you're from," Parton shared during the announcement, as per WBIR. So, saddle up, Parton fans; the journey through the Smoky Mountains' musical mist is just around the corner.