Courtesy Webster PRSounds like Dolly Parton has raised some serious money for her Smoky Mountain home.
The country legend’s Smoky Mountains Rise: A Benefit for the My People Fund telethon Tuesday night has so far raised over $9 million in relief money to assist the East Tennessee communities that lost everything in the recent wildfires there, according to organizers.
“I am overwhelmed by the generosity of the people who have donated from all over the country and to my friends who donated their time, their talent, and money for My People,” Dolly said in a statement. “The response has been so overwhelming that we haven’t been able to count all of the donations yet.”
The telethon was broadcast on GAC, AXS-TV, RFD and The Heartland Network as well as online. Dozens of musicians and celebs both performed and donated their time, including Dolly’s longtime friend Kenny Rogers, plus Hank Williams Jr., Chris Stapleton, Reba, Alison Krauss, Chris Young, Montgomery Gentry, Jamey Johnson, Cyndi Lauper and more.
The fund also received donations of up to six figures from stars including Taylor Swift, Kenny Chesney, Chris Stapleton, Chris Young, Paul Simon and Dierks Bentley.
Dolly was born and raised in Sevier County, Tennessee, one of the areas hardest-hit by the fires. You can still donate to Dolly’s My People Fund online at DollywoodFoundation.org.
Copyright © 2016, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
