Dolly Parton opens new travel stop in Tennessee

Country music legend Dolly Parton made a surprise public appearance on Wednesday, June 24, to open her new branded travel center, Dolly’s Tennessean Travel Stop, in Cornersville, Tennessee. The event marked a welcome return for the 80-year-old icon, who had recently canceled a Las Vegas residency to focus on her health.

Parton personally cut the ribbon at the facility located off Interstate 65, south of Nashville. In remarks to the crowd, she expressed pride in the project, stating it was built for everyone from truckers to families. She also delivered a playful jab at the popular chain Buc-ee’s, saying, "I’m sure some of you want to know why I wanted a truck stop. Well, I couldn’t leave it to beavers."

The opening follows a period where Parton has stepped back from public commitments. Last month, she announced the cancellation of her scheduled September 2026 Las Vegas residency, explaining that while her health was improving with treatment, she needed more time before she could return to a demanding performance schedule. She has also been grieving the loss of her husband, Carl Dean, who died in 2025.

The newly rebranded travel stop features Parton’s signature touches, including...