In what is apparently a surprise to Dollywood, Dolly Parton announced she will not be performing her annual benefit concerts this year, which helps
put money into her Dollywood Foundation charity. The organization supports many educational projects and is noted for its Imagination Library cause. As long as anyone can remember, Dolly has done some sort of charity show in Sevier County. The tradition goes back as far as the 1960s, when she would perform in the Sevier County High School gym and raise money for the school’s band. One Dollywood source says Dolly won’t be touring this year so she doesn’t have a back-up band to perform with. What does this mean for her foundation Dollywood is trying to figure that one out. (And I will let you know when I find out.)
Traditionally, her shows raise around $250,000 or so for the foundation. The money goes for operating costs, like paying to ship out thousands of books around the world to pre-schoolers.