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Dolly Parton revealed she’s headed to her Eastern Tennessee roots to witness the Tennessee Volunteers take on the Georgia Bulldogs at the University of Tennessee’s Neyland Stadium, located in Knoxville, Tennessee.
The beloved country music legend, who was born in Pittman Center in Sevier County, Tennessee, announced in a video shared on her social media channels on Monday (November 13) that she would attend the game at the venue with a capacity of more than 101,000. It’s set for Saturday afternoon (November 18).
“Well, hello! It’s Dolly, and I am so excited to join 101,000 of my friends in the best place for college football, Neyland Stadium. I’ll see you there,” Parton gushed in the video. She wrote in her caption that she “can’t wait to cheer on [the Tennessee Volunteers] this Saturday! See you on Rocky Top 🧡”
The UT Volunteers vs. Georgia Bulldogs game is set to begin at 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS on Saturday, November 18.
Parton has often paid tribute to her Eastern Tennessee home, including by joining force with the University of Tennessee Athletics Department for an exclusive version of her soon-to-release Rockstar album. Parton’s first-ever rock album will make its highly-anticipated debut on Friday (November 17), following her induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Parton’s Tennessee edition will feature the global superstar donning the signature orang and white team colors on its two-disc set.
“My East Tennessee roots run deep, and I am so proud to be partnering with the Vols on a line of merchandise,” Parton said in a press release in September. “I've performed 'Rocky Top' so many times live in my concerts through the years, and I know how much that song means to Vols fans. I am thrilled to have the chance to include my version of the song on a special edition of my new Rockstar album as part of this partnership.”
So far, Parton has released a few Rockstar tracks, including lead single “World On Fire,” “Wrecking Ball” with Miley Cyrus, “We Are The Champions/We Will Rock You” and others. The full, star-studded project will include collaborations with Sting, Steven Tyler, Stevie Nicks, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, Chris Stapleton, Melissa Etheridge and Brandi Carlile, among many others.