RFD-TV to Broadcast Dolly Parton’s Nashville Telethon- Benefit for Smoky Mountains

Photo Credit: Brittany Bevis

RFD-TV and RURAL RADIO to Broadcast Dolly Parton’s Nashville Telethon “Smoky Mountains Rise: A Benefit for the My People Fund”

Dolly, Reba McEntire, Kenny Rogers and Alison Krauss Set to Perform

“I’m so proud that RFD-TV and Rural Radio can be a part of the efforts to help the families devastated by these wildfires,” stated Patrick Gottsch, Founder & President of Rural Media Group. “This telethon will be a great opportunity to raise more funds to help support the people of Tennessee.  RFD-TV viewers and Rural Radio listeners are some of the most compassionate people you’ll meet, and I have no doubt they will step up to help the affected families.”

During the telethon, people can call in to donate at 1-866-CAREMORE (1-866-227-3667). All online donations will be directed to the Dollywood Foundation.

“My home in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee is some place special,” Parton said. “Wildfires have affected many of the people — my people — who live in those beautiful mountains. We want to provide a hand up to those families who have lost everything in the fires. I know it has been a trying time for my people and this assistance will help get them back on their feet.”

The recent wildfires in East Tennessee have wrought tremendous damage to the Smoky Mountain region including around Gatlinburg where Dolly Parton grew up. More than 1,750 structures have been destroyed and hundreds of families have been displaced. Moreover, the fires disrupted the region’s number one industry — tourism. The area is now open and welcoming guests, but the people directly affected by the fires desperately need help.

Photo Credit: Brittany Bevis

Dolly created the My People Fund through her Dollywood Foundation to provide direct relief to the families who lost their homes (primary residence, own or rent). Each family will receive $1,000 per month for six months to give them a hand up. The funds are open to both renters and homeowners whose primary residences are uninhabitable or were destroyed by wildfires in the Smokies. To date nearly 1,700 structures have been affected by the fire and 13 people have died. More than $1 million has already been raised for area families through the fund. Significant donors to the fund include Verizon, Tanger Outlets, Miley Cyrus’ Happy Hippie Foundation, CoreCivic, and The Blalock Company. Remaining proceeds after satisfying this initial effort will be used to provide direct aid in Sevier County, Tennessee.

According to a release from the foundation, “the first funds will be distributed 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. December 15-16 and December 19-20 at the CARE MORE Assistance Center at the LeConte Events Center in Pigeon Forge. One check per household per month will be issued. All recipients must show a photo ID. The release said that those needing assistance in the application process should call 800-DOLLYWOOD.”

RFD-TV is distributed to more than 50 million homes across the country on various cable systems including DISH Network, DIRECTV®, Comcast, AT&T U-Verse, Mediacom, Charter Spectrum, Suddenlink, Cox, and more than 600 independent rural cable systems. In addition, people can watch on Roku, on DIRECTV NOW, and online via our subscription service, the Country Club, at rfdcc.com. Rural Radio is found exclusively on SiriusXM channel 147 and is the agribusiness and Western-lifestyle channel for the U.S. and Canada. Rural Radio’s program schedule revolves around original productions focused on agriculture, equine, hunting, fishing, Western sports, and living the country life in small towns around rural America.

Photo Credit: Brittany Bevis

For more information about the Dollywood Foundation, visit dollywoodfoundation.org. For the full program schedule and more information about RFD-TV and Rural Radio Channel 147 on SiriusXM visit rfdtv.com andruralradio147.com.