Dolly Parton halftime show turned heartfelt tribute

KINGSPORT — The world — and East Tennessee in particular — are mourning after Dolly Parton's passing last week, but in the wake of sadness comes a serendipitous coincidence through the Dobyns-Bennett High School Marching Band. The D-B band's 2026 halftime show is Dolly-themed and aptly titled "Rhinestone Royalty." The show has metamorphosed from a fun compilation of Dolly Parton hits to a tribute celebrating not only Dolly and her musical talent, but also the Tennessee mountain home locals shared with her. The band's show includes renditions of "9 to 5," "Jolene" and "I Will Always Love You," some of Parton's biggest hits. Band Director Lafe Cook explained that the show was created in the spring, back when — as far as the public knew — Parton's health was stable. He shared that part of his childhood was spent in Sevier County, and he attended the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, so Dolly Parton was a large cultural presence throughout his life. He even met the singer a few times during those years. "She's always kind of been in my musical ecosystem," Cook said. Cook was surprised to find that love and admiration for Parton was also true of many of his current students. "I've been surprised how much the high school kids resonated with this show and how much they knew her music. I kind of wasn't expecting that. All the kids seem to know the Dolly Parton music," he said. "I was just surprised that 15-year-olds in 2026 also knew all the words to '9 to 5.'" Kerrington Slagle, a senior and drum major, shared her appreciation for Parton's legacy. "Dolly Parton is a huge part of our community in our area," she said. "Once I found out that we were having a Dolly Parton dedicated halftime show, I was really excited, along with many other members in our band and community because Dolly Parton just contributed so much." Slagle believes that the power of Parton's music spans different generations and people. "I feel like almost everyone can find something within it." The opportunity to honor Dolly Parton and her contributions to the world gives Slagle a sense of pride, especially the upcoming chance to do so on a national scale. This November, the band will travel to New York City for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and is set to perform "9 to 5" on camera. Parton's "Tennessee Homesick Blues" may have found it hard to be a diamond in a rhinestone world, but Slagle is purely excited. "Getting to go to the Macy's Parade is like a dream come true. I mean, what high schooler wouldn't want to go to New York and march at a parade? I know my family, our tradition was gathering around the TV to watch the Macy's Parade, and now we're fortunate enough to be a part of it," she said. "And the fact that we have Dolly, this amazing cultural icon, is really incredible. I'm just really excited to bring Dolly and her essence to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and really honor her and have that tribute." The parade organizers are looking specifically to D-B to shine a spotlight on Parton. "The Macy's people reached out yesterday (Aug. 26, the day after Parton's passing) to tell me how excited they were that we were doing that," Cook said. The band's halftime performance will continue to be performed this season as originally designed. The contents of the show will not change, but the meaning it carries will. "It was a show really about her music; now it's a tribute show that becomes more about her," said Cook. "I think the kids and the staff all feel a sense of responsibility to do it at a really high level." The next time the band will perform "Rhinestone Royalty" will be at the home game on Sept. 11, which is also the weekend of the band's centennial celebration. Four hundred alumni will join them on the field.