Dolly Parton organizing telethon for Tenn. wildfire victims

NASHVILLE – Country icon Dolly Parton has organized a musical telethon to raise money for victims of the Tennessee wildfires that destroyed more than 1,700 homes in the resort town of Gatlinburg.

The event, which will air Dec. 13 on Great American Country, will include performances by Reba McEntire, Kenny Rogers, Alison Krauss and Parton, whose Dollywood theme park in neighbouring Pigeon Forge escaped damage from the fires.

Proceeds from the telethon will go to the Dollywood Foundation My People Fund, which was created to provide $1,000 each month to Sevier County families whose homes were damaged or destroyed by the wildfires.

Officials say 14 people have died and more than 145 others were injured in the fire that spread from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

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