WORLD TOP SPORTS

During the Fox broadcast of "Carrie Underwood: An All-Star Holiday Special" Dec. 7, special guest Dolly Parton stated she was at work creating a new musical based on her life. “I’ve been working on my life story as a musical,” Parton told Underwood. When Underwood asked the country legend who might get to play her, she replied, “I think Kristin Chenoweth would be real good.” Chenoweth was a special guest on the program and made her desire to sing with Dolly known in several comedy bits. “But seriously, I’m hoping that she might possibly do that when I get finished,” Parton said. Toward the end of their chat, which led into “I Will Always Love You,” Parton added that she hadn’t made up her mind and told Underwood that with enough padding on top, she could also fill her boots.

Dollywood has won 15 Big E Awards in the past four years, more than any other theme park in the world. The Heartbeat Award was presented on Nov. 18 during the International Association of Amusement Parks & Attractions Expo’s annual Big E Entertainment Awards ceremony in Las Vegas. Dollywood Entertainment Director Paul T. Couch accepted the award, on behalf of Parton and Dollywood. The Big E Awards recognize the best theme park shows in the world. “Sha-Kon-O-Hey! tells the story of folks like me who grew up in the Smoky Mountains,” Parton said. “I was truly honored to tell our story through my heartfelt words and music, and I’m just tickled that IAAPA chose to honor us with its prestigious Heartbeat Award. My heart sure beat a little faster when I heard the good news!” “No one can touch the hearts of an audience better than Dolly,” Couch said. “Her words and music allowed the spirit of our story to soar as high as the Great Smoky Mountains.” Sha-Kon-O-Hey! features eight original songs written by Parton and tells the story of the last family leaving the area that would become Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Couch developed the concept and storyline along with Chicago-based writer David Bell who wrote the musical’s script. Sha-Kon-O-Hey! returns in May 2010 for Dollywood’s 25^th anniversary season. Dollywood won three additional Big E Awards this year. Creature Adventures starring the Kratt Brothers, which premiered in 2008 and headlined the park’s annual KidsFest event for two consecutive years, won Best Live Edutainment Show. Park performer Gabriel Myers from Dreamland Drive-In won Best Male Performer. Dollywood’s Gem Tones, an a capella group that performs ’50s and ‘60s music, won honorable mention as Best Atmosphere/Street Performer. This year’s win marks Dollywood’s fourth consecutive Heartbeat Award. Dollywood’s previous Heartbeat Award winners are Dreamland Drive-In (2008 & 2006) and The Great American Country Show (2007). IAAPA is the largest international trade association for permanently situated amusement facilities worldwide. The organization represents more than 4,500 facility, supplier, and individual members from more than 90 countries.