Picture of the day - May 7, 2007

"Fire In The Kitchen" With Dolly Parton

(L-R)  Debbie Shrewsbury - Linda Waltner - Dolly Parton - Teddy Helton - Tammy Martin Photo courtesy of Phyllis Helton. Today's picture features the members of the fine Celtic music group Fire In The Kitchen posing with the one and only Dolly Parton at her ultra-popular Dollywood theme park. Fire In The Kitchen performed at Dollywood for ten days during April and early May, with the mini-tour coming to an end with yesterday's shows. If you missed them while they were there, you surely missed a real treat! Fire In The Kitchen is one of the country's most beloved Celtic groups. Their relaxing style of traditional Appalachian and Celtic music has the power to sooth the spirit while offering a glimpse into the proud musical traditions of the mountains and the European settlers who made a new life for themselves there several generations ago. Even if you have heard Celtic music before and found it not quite your cup of tea, chances are you'll love Fire In The Kitchen's unique sound. The members of the Fire In The Kitchen ensemble include: Teddy Helton on upright bass and guitar Debbie Shrewsbury on classical flute, penny whistle & Irish low whistle Tammy Martin on hammered dulcimer & Irish bodhran Linda Waltner on violin and viola Dolly Parton is one of the most recognizable and popular entertainers in the country. A country music legend, Dolly has had song after song climb the Billboard charts over the years, and her concerts have been sellouts virtually since day one. In 1986, she and a group of investors bought a small Pigeon Forge, Tennessee theme park called Silver Dollar City. Building on Dolly's fame and effervescent personality, they renovated and expanded the park, changed its name to Dollywood, then embarked on a brilliant marketing campaign that has transformed the once ho-hum attraction into one of the world's premier tourist destinations. Of course Dollywood offers plenty of the usual theme park fare such as rides and vendors selling all manner of food and trinkets, but the primary emphasis of the park is it's live music. Every year Dollywood's stages and theaters come alive with the sweet sounds of Country, Gospel, Bluegrass, Celtic and other genres of music performed by local favorites and national acts alike. Regardless of when you visit Dollywood, you're sure to find some great live music being performed around the park! Cheria and I were unable to make it down to Dollywood to see Fire In The Kitchen this spring, but we have had the pleasure of seeing them perform several times in the past. Teddy, Debbie, Tammy and Linda are great people and fine performers, and I know we really missed out by not being able to enjoy their Dollywood shows. But the good news is they're always performing somewhere and we'll have another chance to see them very soon. In fact, I think I'll check their schedule right now!   Visit the POTD Archives for previous "Pictures Of The Day"!     Submit a photo of your own!            Why I publish the "Picture of the Day"