Goin' Country in the
Tennessee Mountains

By Renee Wright

Originally published in Square Dancing Today Magazine

From the Mississippi to the mountains, Tennessee is home to some of America’s favorite music.

The Shows Pigeon Forge’s numerous music halls run full steam, year-round, with high-energy family entertainment. Shows from morning ‘til night showcase the top-rated talent and down-home hospitality of the area. You can literally see performances morning, noon and night. In the a.m., legendary gospel group The Blackwells perform their award-winning harmonies at the Louise Mandrell Theater, while down the street, illusionist Terry Evansworth dazzles morning crowds with his feats of magic. Or catch Patty Waszak’s one woman show. This amazing lady doesn’t just play 30 different instruments while she sings, she does it all at 10 a.m. most every morning. Nearly a dozen music halls line The Parkway in Pigeon Forge offering a rich mix of country music, Oldies and comedy to the crowds. Elwood Smooch’s Ole Smoky Hoedown, the Classic Country Theater, and Country Tonite Theatre present a full menu of country music from the classics to today’s chart-toppers, along with plenty of fiddling, pickin’ and clogging. Memories Theatre serves up a salute to Elvis and other legends of rock ‘n roll. One of the most diverse, and professionally produced, shows in the area stars Louise Mandrell at her palatial music hall. The “brunette” Mandrell sister demonstrates (often at two shows a day) that she received a full measure of the family talent. Singing, dancing and playing (fiddle, drums, accordion, saxophone, keyboard, you name it), she heads a high-energy cast in a show that ranges through many eras of popular music, from country to swing. Louise’s warm and welcoming personality keep people coming back to this family-friendly venue. There’s even a sound-proof room for fussy babies, where a large window and piped-in sound let Mom (or Dad) keep up with the action on stage.

Dollywood's Country Show, photo courtesy of Dollywood © 2003 ARR   Carol of the Trees, photo courtesy of Dollywood © 2003 ARR   If you like to combine dinner with a show, you can do that, too, in Pigeon Forge. The Black Bear Jamboree Dinner & Show is a favorite with families. If you’re an Elvis fan, the Oldies Showplace Dinner Theater is the place to dine. At Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede Dinner & Show, your meal comes with lots of ridin’, fancy ropin’, and racin’ ostriches. Homegirl Dolly Parton is the reason all this exists, and no visit to Pigeon Forge is complete without a visit to Dollywood, located in the wooded hills just north of town. The theme park offers something for every age group, all for the price of one admission. Inside the park, more than a half-dozen theaters stage shows that range from bluegrass and gospel to ‘50s music and comedy. Today’s country stars make frequent appearances at Dollywood, as does Dolly herself along with various “kinfolk.” Even when Dolly isn’t currently in the area, guests can catch up on her life and career at many attractions within the park. “Chasing Rainbows,” for example, takes visitors on an tour of Dolly’s life, including her early years, hit records, TV and movie appearances (including film clips and many of her incredible costumes) and much more. You can even see what you’d look like with “Dolly hair” using an interactive computer. Elsewhere in the park, you can visit a replica of the two-room cabin Dolly grew up in and share her love of the Smoky Mountains at attractions such as “Heartsong,” a musical tribute to the source of her inspiration. Of course, Dollywood offers much more than just shows. There’s a Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame, a gigantic interactive treehouse, and lots of rides for kids of all ages. A steam engine chugs along five miles of rail, while down in Craftsman’s Valley, artists demonstrate a variety of traditional crafts, including blacksmithing, blowing glass, leatherworking, soapmaking and woodcarving. Dollywood hosts numerous special festivals throughout the year. Annual events include the Festival of Nations for a month in the spring, clogging competitions, a children’s festival, Christian and gospel music jubilees, and a month-long Harvest Celebration in October. Every November and December, Dollywood’s “Smoky Mountain Christmas” lights up the park with three million lights, fireworks, a Light Parade of toys and special holiday shows. visit www.dollywood.com for more info

 

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