The Hippodrome Theater presents a cinematic screening of the debut of Dolly Parton’s debut rock album

The audience waited expectantly in the intimate theater, bags of popcorn in hand. When the golden-haired Southern star appeared on the big screen, someone shouted, “I’ve been waiting for this for 20 years!” Applause roared.

Global pop culture icon Dolly Parton is known for her country music roots, roles in Hollywood films, and her charitable initiatives. The American singer, songwriter, musician, actress, businesswoman, and philanthropist has built an empire over the course of her 50-year career. She is one of the only people to receive at least one nomination from all four major organizations for the annual American Entertainment Awards.

Its influence extends beyond the music and media landscape. Many of her famous philanthropic projects reflect her big childhood dreams and roots. In 1986, Parton redeveloped an amusement park in her hometown of Tennessee into Dollywood Theme Park. The theme park, which supports people you love, is now the largest ticketed attraction in Tennessee and the largest job provider in the county.

Another well-known initiative is Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Inspired by her father’s inability to read or write, Parton founded the library in 1995 to give back to children in her home county. Now, the program serves five countries and delivers more than two million free books a month to children around the world.

For the first time, Parton would impact a new world: rock ‘n’ roll. More than a year after being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022, Parton released her first rock album, “Rockstar,” on November 17 via Butterfly Records with distribution by Big Machine Label Group. The collaborative album features a variety of rock legends including the surviving Beatles, Linda Perry, and Elton John. It includes nine original tracks plus 21 iconic rock anthems, many of which were recorded with the original artists.

On November 15, Parton invited fans to watch the world premiere of the film’s Rockstar listening event. Produced by Trafalgar Releasing, the film features tracks from the album, never-before-seen performances and behind-the-scenes peeks. It also featured an exclusive interview with Parton herself about the process of creating the album.

A portion of the proceeds from ticket sales from this event were donated to Music Will, the largest non-profit music program in the U.S. public school system. In keeping with Parton’s philanthropic values, the organization works with sister organizations around the world to provide access to music education.

The Hippodrome Theater was one of two theaters in Gainesville to present the cinema-only event that debuted Dolly Parton’s Rockstar album.

Matt Dibble, 33, a box office worker at the Hippodrome Theater, wore his new Dollywood T-shirt as he welcomed excited guests to the premiere, the first of its kind hosted by the Hippodrome. During the film screening, the audience sang along to the famous musical pieces and clapped between each performance.

While most people know and love Parton, many people did not know about the album’s release. Jane Ellis, a 66-year-old Gainesville resident, was among a group of five girlfriends who attended the event for a fun night out. The group, which originated around the same time as Parton, knew nothing about the album beforehand, but absolutely loved the first demo.

“She came from being a caricature of herself, because when she was younger, everyone would make fun of her,” Ellis said. “You just wait,” she kept laughing, “and here she is now, look at her.”

For many, the premiere was a chance to see the beloved legend in a new context. Tom Bussing, a 75-year-old Hippodrome regular, came to the event with his wife and friends to see “an American legend once again.”