Watch Dolly Parton’s ‘Smoky Mountains Rise’ Telethon Here

The legendary superstar has planned the telethon of all telethons to help aid the victims of the wildfires that ran rampant through her home of Sevier County, Tennessee.

Written by Lauren Laffer
Watch Dolly Parton’s ‘Smoky Mountains Rise’ Telethon Here
Dolly Parton, Photo courtesy Webster PR

When you want things done right, you ask Dolly Parton.

The legendary superstar has planned the telethon of all telethons to help aid the victims of the wildfires that ran rampant through her home of Sevier County, Tennessee. More than 1300 families were displaced when the fires spread quickly after high winds unexpectedly blew through the area.

The Smoky Mountains Rise: A Benefit for the My People Fund telethon is already off to a great start with nearly $500,000 in donations pouring in before its airing. Taylor Swift partnered with the Academy of Country Music (ACM) to present donations for $100,000 each, while Kenny Chesney and the Country Music Association (CMA) each pledge $125,000 each.

“The donations that are already coming in are so special to me,” Dolly Parton explained. “It means there are a lot of people behind us and ready to help us. There is still so much need to support the people of the Smoky Mountains, but thanks to Taylor and Kenny and both the ACM and CMA for gettin’ us started with such huge donations.”

The final lineup of artists joining Parton in her quest will be Reba, Alison KraussKenny RogersChris Stapleton, Chris Young, Big & Rich, Michael W. Smith, Amy Grant, LOCASH, Chris JansonMontgomery Gentry, Hank Williams Jr., Jamey Johnson, Cyndi Lauper, Don McLean, Amy Grant, Alabama, Aaron Lewis and Rhonda Vincent. Katy Perry, Carrie Underwood, Larry King, Steve Harvey, Good Morning America’s Robin Roberts, Kiefer Sutherland, and Today Show’s Willie Geist will also participate via video messages.

Many stars will man the phone throughout the night, including Paula Deen and her sons Bobby and Jamie, Chrisley Knows Best cast members Todd, Julie and Savannah, Moonshiners’ cast members Mark and Digger, Nashville’s Charles Esten, cast members of Dolly Parton’s Christmas of Many Colors, country hit-makers Chris & Morgane Stapleton, Terri Clark, Mark Wills, Lee Greenwood, Larry Gatlin, T.G. Sheppard, Highway 101’s Paulette Carlson, John Conlee, Ronnie McDowell, Kristian Bush, Tim Rushlow, T. Graham Brown, Dolly’s nieces Rebecca Seaver and Danielle Parton, bluegrass hitmakers Lorraine Jordan and Darrin Vincent, comedian Henry Cho, KC of KC and the Sunshine Band, hot new country artists Brett Young, Cassadee Pope, RaeLynn, Danielle Bradbery, Lucas Hoge, Denny Strickland, songwriter Becky Hobbs, and members of the Tennessee Titans.

Parton’s My People Fund will provide $1000 each month to the families of Sevier County who lost their homes and belongings in the recent Smoky Mountain wildfires. Those affected can apply for help at dollywoodfoundation.org.

Viewers will be able to call 1-866-CARE MORE to donate to the foundation. Anyone who would like to make a tax-deductible donation can visit dollywoodfoundation.org for more information. Donations via mail can be sent to My People Fund, c/o Dollywood Foundation, 111 Dollywood Lane, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863.

The telethon will air on Tuesday, December 13, at 8 p.m. ET and can be viewed in the video above.