NEWS

The Nashville Public Library Foundation has announced a $4.5 million investment from Dolly Parton through her Dollywood Foundation, home of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. The contribution will kickstart a new program called Begin Bright, an initiative to ensure reading literacy for kindergarten-age children in Music City, reports the Tennessean. “I really believe this partnership can make a huge impact on inspiring a love of reading for children and families,” Dolly said in a statement. ”One of the best parts is that Nashville can once again light the way for the nation.” Beginning in the spring of 2025, every childcare center in the county will receive a little library — carts filled with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Books and other foundation resources. (more…)

CONCERT REVIEW—LAINEY WILSON

The reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year played to a sold-out 12,000-seat Denny Sanford Premier Center when she brought her “Country’s Cool Again Tour” to Sioux Falls this past Saturday night. Lainey Wilson, 32, has had a meteoric rise to stardom but is no overnight success. In 2011 she moved to Nashville from her hometown of Baskin, Louisiana, to pursue a music career. Her breakout single, “Things a Man Oughta Know,” reached number one on Billboard in 2021. “Heart Like a Truck” achieved number one the following year. After receiving six nominations at the 2022 Country Music Association Awards, she went from opening act to headliner. She received nine nominations in 2023 and won five awards, including Entertainer of the Year. The Academy of Country Music chose her as ACM Entertainer of the Year in May of this year, and the Grand Ole Opry inducted her as a member in June.