Big & Rich say Dolly Parton put fame aside to help neighbors after 2016 Tennessee wildfires
GATLINBURG, Tenn. — Country music duo Big & Rich recently sat down to discuss their memories of standing alongside Dolly Parton during one of the most challenging periods in East Tennessee history, and they had nothing but admiration for the legendary singer's character.
The pair—composed of Big Kenny (William Kenneth Alphin) and John Rich—participated in the star-studded benefit telethon "Smoky Mountains Rise: A Benefit for the My People Fund" on December 13, 2016, just weeks after devastating wildfires tore through Gatlinburg and Sevier County. The fires claimed 14 lives and damaged or destroyed more than 2,400 buildings across the region.
Rich recalled the moment vividly, describing how the catastrophe hit close to home for Parton, who grew up in the area.
"Gatlinburg had basically burned to the ground, and that's right in her backyard, where she's from," Rich said. "In the moment of those performances, it wasn't like you were standing next to Dolly Parton, the world-famous iconic singer. You were standing next to a country girl who was trying to help out her neighbors."
The telethon, which featured nearly 20 artists, ultimately raised more than $9 million for Parton's My People Fund, which provided direct financial assistance to families who lost their homes in the disaster.
Big Kenny remembered the experience as transformative, noting that Parton's authenticity shone through despite the star-studded setting.
"You could tell that it just meant the world to her to be doing what she was doing, and it meant the world to her that we showed up that day to help her out," Big Kenny said. "There have been multiple interactions over the years with Dolly, and one thing you absolutely know about her is that she's a big-hearted and super kind person."
He continued, reflecting on Parton's universal appeal. "I don't care what anyone's beliefs or what side of the aisle they might stand on—whether it be in politics or in church—it seems like everybody had big respect for Dolly and everything that she's done and accomplished. She just crossed all borders, crossed all lines, and everybody loves her."
Beyond their memories of Parton, Big & Rich also discussed their latest musical project: a protest single titled "Hello AI," which officially released on August 28. The duo expressed concern about artificial intelligence's growing presence in the music industry, particularly when AI-generated songs are monetized.
"The original pencil-to-paper work that a human American songwriter created is getting ripped off to the tunes of millions of times," Rich said, emphasizing that AI cannot legally own copyrights under current law, as only humans hold that right.
Big Kenny, while expressing enthusiasm for AI's potential benefits, advocated for thoughtful regulation. "I'm all about AI. I think it could be one of the greatest revolutions that ever happens in America," he said. "But at the same time, things like this need to have guardrails on them."
The duo's reflections on Parton's generosity stand as a testament to the impact artists can have when they return to their roots during times of crisis, they said.