Dolly has made her way to beautiful Australia where she is wowing fans on stage as part of her Better Day world tour but she's not just pickin' and grinnin'. Dolly is on a mission with her friend, David Dotson (president of The Dollywood Foundation)!
That mission is to figure out how they can make her Imagination Library available to the children of Australia!
This blog post is a chronicle of David Dotson's (DD) travels across the country to try and make Dolly Parton's Imagination Library a reality in Australia.
Showing posts with label David Dotson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label David Dotson. Show all posts
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Dotson's efforts to expand Imagination Library land him in Australia
Today is a day off-although I never stop thinking about how Dolly Parton's Imagination Library will or won't work here.Headed to the end of the earth -southwestern Australia --the Margaret River area is just beautiful. Although no kangaroo has introduced himself to me, I did hear a kookaburra. The bird sounds like a maniacal monkey!
Next stop today is a lighthouse that sits at the meeting of the Indian and Southern oceans- a great place to contemplate the mystery of the universe. Tomorrow are meetings in Perth and then fly back to Sydney.
Next year is the National Year of Reading in Australia so if we do move forward- then this would be a perfect time to do it!
David Dotson
President - The Dollywood Foundation
Monday, July 19, 2010
Imagination Library President David Dotson on IRA Radio!
Click on the link below to hear this 15 minute interview hosted by International Reading Association’s Executive Director Bill Harvey.
http://www.reading.org/Resources/Radio.aspx
IRA Reading Radio airs monthly on the BAM! Radio Network, a radio website for the education community. In each installment, IRA Executive Director William Harvey interviews an expert on a key topic relating to reading education.
In this show, David Dotson speaks about Dolly Parton's Imagination Library's growth over the years and how the program is expanding to promote literacy in the 21st Century.
Tune in to "Dream More! Learn More! Care More! Be More!"
http://www.reading.org/Resources/Radio.aspx
IRA Reading Radio airs monthly on the BAM! Radio Network, a radio website for the education community. In each installment, IRA Executive Director William Harvey interviews an expert on a key topic relating to reading education.
In this show, David Dotson speaks about Dolly Parton's Imagination Library's growth over the years and how the program is expanding to promote literacy in the 21st Century.
Tune in to "Dream More! Learn More! Care More! Be More!"
Sunday, April 13, 2008
DOLLY PARTON PAYS TRIBUTE TO PORTER WAGONER AND DON WARDEN
Sevier County superstar Dolly Parton took some personal time off from her busy press schedule Saturday to celebrate the life and music of former television partner and mentor, Porter Wagoner. In her own Celebrity Theater, the singer spent an emotional and poignant afternoon singing the songs and sharing the stories of the time she and Porter spent together and the impact the legend had on all who surrounded him. Parton also took the opportunity to surprise manager, and original Wagon Master, Don Warden with an induction into the Missouri based Steel Guitar Hall of Fame. The Dollywood Theater was transformed with familiar sets from the long-running country music show and Dolly’s band, The Backwoods Boys, dressed in the signature costumes from the era. Dolly, herself, wore a Porter-inspired outfit to set the mood for the afternoon.
“This won’t be a sad time,” she assured the crowd. “This will be a happy time!” The private event was attended by Wagoner’s children and grand children and many of the Grand Ole Opry stars who had performed with him during his long and successful career. “The Porter Wagoner Show” debuted on syndicated television in 1960 and the flashy country star brought new talent Dolly Parton aboard in 1967. Parton credits his support and the popularity of their duets together, as the foundation of her own success.
During the emotional memorial, Wagon Master steel guitar player Don Warden was surprised by Parton with a tribute of his own. Dressed in the original costume he wore on the famed show, Warden was gifted with a sculpture from Parton who described him as her “Angel on Earth” and told of his induction into the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame. When Dolly left the Porter Wagoner Show, Warden went with her as manager and has remained with her as an adviser through the years. This very special tribute marked the first time the two had performed together in 34 years.
During the emotional memorial, Wagon Master steel guitar player Don Warden was surprised by Parton with a tribute of his own. Dressed in the original costume he wore on the famed show, Warden was gifted with a sculpture from Parton who described him as her “Angel on Earth” and told of his induction into the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame. When Dolly left the Porter Wagoner Show, Warden went with her as manager and has remained with her as an adviser through the years. This very special tribute marked the first time the two had performed together in 34 years.
Eyes glistening with tears, Parton closed the memorial with the original version of her 1974 musical farewell to their partnership, “I Will Always Love You”. “Not a dry eye in the house,” says Sevierville media artist Jacob Timmons, who designed and manages Parton’s web empire. “The whole first row of the theater was Porter’s family, the second row was legends from the Grand Ole Opry. It was a powerful and moving expression of love”. Porter Wagoner died on October 28, 2007, in Nashville Tennessee. His career spanned seven decades.
This blog brought to you by S.D. Professionals, LLC :: Tennessee's Entertainment Bloggers!
All content of this blog belongs exclusively to S.D. Professionals, LLC and may NOT be used, copied or rewritten in any form with out written consent.
Sunday, December 9, 2007
"I want Brit Kids to Love Books too" Dolly Parton
"I GREW up poor and ragged in the hills of east Tennessee.
I knew my dreams would come true and I know there are people in British communities with their own dreams.
They dream of becoming a doctor or an inventor or a minister. Who knows, maybe there is a little girl whose dream is to be a writer and singer.
The seeds of these dreams are often found in books. The seeds people help plant in their community can grow across the world.
The Imagination Library Program is one of the most important ways I know to improve the educational opportunities for children.
We have seen it work in our own backyard and I’m certain it can do the same in British communities too.
We were contacted by the Rotherham people last year. They were in the US working on some other things when a girl from Tennessee tourism told them about the program.
This year we are distributing 11million books in the US. We started in Canada last year and now we’re coming to Britain.
But we don’t want to go where we’re not necessarily wanted. We only want to go in where we can help.
It’s not just for poor children – it’s for all children.
From the day they’re born, they will get a book a month till they are five. All the books arrive in their name in the mail.
In my backyard the children call me the Book Lady – they think I actually bring the books myself. "
I knew my dreams would come true and I know there are people in British communities with their own dreams.
They dream of becoming a doctor or an inventor or a minister. Who knows, maybe there is a little girl whose dream is to be a writer and singer.
The seeds of these dreams are often found in books. The seeds people help plant in their community can grow across the world.
The Imagination Library Program is one of the most important ways I know to improve the educational opportunities for children.
We have seen it work in our own backyard and I’m certain it can do the same in British communities too.
We were contacted by the Rotherham people last year. They were in the US working on some other things when a girl from Tennessee tourism told them about the program.
This year we are distributing 11million books in the US. We started in Canada last year and now we’re coming to Britain.
But we don’t want to go where we’re not necessarily wanted. We only want to go in where we can help.
It’s not just for poor children – it’s for all children.
From the day they’re born, they will get a book a month till they are five. All the books arrive in their name in the mail.
In my backyard the children call me the Book Lady – they think I actually bring the books myself. "
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)