GAC to Televise Telethon to Benefit Tennessee Wildfire Victims

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Great American Country on Dec. 13 will broadcast a benefit concert to aid those affected by the Tennessee wildfires, the network said Wednesday.

The three-hour telethon/concert, Smoky Mountains Rise: A Benefit For the My People Fund, will feature performances by Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire, Kenny Rogers and Alison Krauss, according to GAC. Proceeds from the concert will benefit the Dollywood Foundation My People Fund, established by Parton in the wake of last week’s wildfires in Sevier Country, Tenn.

During the telethon, viewers will be asked to call 1-866-CARE MORE to donate to the My People Fund.

“My home in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee is some place special,” Parton said in a statement. “Wildfires have affected many of the people—my people—who live in those beautiful mountains. We want to provide a hand up to those families who have lost everything in the fires. I know it has been a trying time for my people and this assistance will help get them back on their feet.”

R. Thomas Umstead
R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.