Despite limited opportunities growing up in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, Dolly Parton spun her father's enterprising work ethic into her own hard-won business savvy. In this video, the Museum's Allison Moorer discusses how the exhibition "Dolly Parton: Journey of a Seeker" explores this theme. By the 1980s Dolly Parton had long broken through as a successful singer-songwriter. She was determined to break new ground. When Parton launched Sandollar Productions in 1986, the combination of her inexperience as a Hollywood producer and the typical failure rate of small film companies led to dire predictions. When she considered investing in a theme park in her native Smoky Mountains, a chorus of advisers warned against it. Where others saw pitfalls, she saw potential. As she had done many times before, Parton transformed criticism into determination. Sandollar Productions was a resounding success. The company earned respect with titles including "Common Threads: Stories from the Quilt" (1989), an award-winning documentary about the Names Project Memorial AIDS Quilt; "Father of the Bride" (1991), a smash comedy starring Steve Martin; and the fan-favorite TV series "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" (1997–2003). Today Dollywood is one of the most popular theme parks in the world, offering a mix of cutting-edge thrill rides, down-home entertainment, and natural beauty. "Dolly Parton: Journey of a Seeker" is open now through September 2026. Explore turning points in Parton’s life and career through the decades. Reserve tickets today: https://www.countrymusichalloffame.or...
Every week, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum hosts programs and events that shed light on country music's evolving history, including performances, interviews, panel discussions, and more, with songwriters, musicians, and industry players, legends, stalwarts, and upstarts. To learn more about public programs and events at the Museum, visit CountryMusicHallofFame.org.

Shorts

In 1998, the acclaimed CD box set From Where I Stand: The Black Experience in Country Music documented the many ways Black Americans have created, contributed to, and been influenced by country music. 26 years later, From Where I Stand has returned as a multifaceted initiative, encompassing an expanded box set, an online experience, and an all-star concert celebration available to watch now.
Election to the Country Music Hall of Fame is country music's highest honor. Here, view interviews and programs featuring some of the Hall's esteemed members. To learn more about the Country Music Hall of Fame and its members, visit CountryMusicHallofFame.org.
There has never been a night like BIG NIGHT (At the Museum). Troubled times often bring out the best in us all, and these times have called for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum to remove some of its most treasured instruments from their cases, and place them in the hands of modern masters for an unprecedented night of music. BIG NIGHT is an important fundraising event in support of the Museum, a non-profit institution, which has been hit hard financially by the pandemic. During the program, hosted by Country Music Hall of Fame member Marty Stuart, some of country and roots music’s brightest stars render timeless songs using those priceless instruments.