Dolly Parton Named TN Ambassador

Posted in News on October 20, 2002

Singing “Be it cold or be it hot, don’t be running off to Canada, just look at all we’ve got�Take it from me, you should come to Tennessee,” superstar singer/actress, BMI songwriter and newly crowned Tennessee Ambassador, Dolly Parton, gave a standing room only performance to more than 200 film and music industry decision makers on October 15 in Los Angeles at the W Hotel. The private cocktail reception included live performances by Parton and Memphis R&B group, the Bar-Kays. Hosted by former Director’s Guild presidents Gilbert Cates (Producer of the Academy Awards, “A Death In The Family,” “Summer Wishes, Winter Dreams,” “Collected Stories”) and Delbert Mann (Academy Award-winning Director of “All Quiet On The Western Front,” “Marty”), the event was organized by Tennessee Film and Music Commission Director, Patricia Ledford who introduced Parton as Tennessee’s Ambassador for Film and Music to the industry.

Director/Producer Gil Cates; Dolly Parton; Patricia Ledford, Director, Tennessee Film and Music Commission; and Director Delbert Mann.

Cates and Mann welcomed guests and introduced the Bar-Kays, Otis Redding's legendary back-up band, who performed a medley of music from the Stax Records' repertoire. Following their performance, Dolly took the stage for an exclusive acoustic set that included her hits “I Will Always Love You” and “Nine to Five,” which received an enthusiastic welcome from the crowd. Parton also sang a song written specifically for the event called “Tennessee Sounds Good To Me.”

Shown at the Tennessee Film and Music Commission reception at the W Hotel in Los Angeles are Patricia Ledford, Dolly Parton, and BMI's Linda Livingston.

“It’s a privilege to serve as the Ambassador for my home state of Tennessee for film, music and entertainment,” said Parton. “Tennessee has extraordinary film locations and a diverse musical talent � perfect for filmmakers and soundtrack production.”

photos: Lester Cohen