By Gavin Boyle
Dolly Parton announced her partnership with Tennessean Travel Stop to make travel through the country more enjoyable.
“I have spent the bulk of my life on the road, and more specifically on a bus,” Parton said in a press release. “All the years spent visiting greasy spoon cafes, truck stops, and roadside pit stops have given me an understanding of what travelers desire on the road. Whether you are driving a truck, a bus, or a car, you want a place that feels like home and recharges you for the rest of the journey. I believe we will fill a void out there on the highways, all while bringing the heart and soul of Tennessee.”
The first rest stop will launch next year and promises to feature modern amenities, great dining and regional retail offerings.
Related: A Look Back at Dolly Parton’s Impressive Career as a Musician, Actress and Humanitarian
“The Tennessean has long been a ‘home away from home’ for truck drivers, travelers and locals alike. Our roots in this community run deep – we’ve created jobs, built connections and welcomed generations of people through our doors,” said Gregory Sachs, chairman and CEO of Tennessean Travel Stops. “This new partnership allows us to carry that legacy forward in a way that celebrates everything special about Tennessee.”
While expanding into the rest stop business may seem like a strange choice for a country singer, it fits well into Parton’s vision for her career. The country music icon has worked hard to bring dignity to the communities overlooked throughout our county, like those living in rural Appalachia where even basic amenities are not guaranteed.
This is the reason why she opened Dollywood near the Tennessee Smoky Mountains and also runs her Imagination Library, which has donated 270 million books in less than 30 years.
“Back when I was growing up in the backwoods of Tennessee, a book was a rare commodity for a young’un. But once I got one and learned to read, I never stopped,” Parton explained in 2023. “To this very day, I’m always in the middle of one book or another, keeping my imagination in hyperdrive.”
“My wish was for every child who yearned for a book – like me – and didn’t have one or the means to buy one to be able to get a copy of their own,” she added. “We could give away books all around the world. There is nothing so empowering and liberating as a book given to a child who has none.”
It is amazing to see how Parton continues to give back to the community that means so much to her and use her platform provide for a people who would otherwise go overlooked.
Read Next: Dolly Parton Debuts Exhibit Celebrating Importance of ‘Faith, Family’
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