Dolly Parton Holiday Special

Everyone loves Dolly Parton, which is in their best interest, because it would be nearly impossible to avoid her if you wanted to. The singer-songwriter has been making hits since the 1960s and has devoted her life to charity work, from Imagination Library to Dollywood Foundation to her recent $1 million donation to help fund a coronavirus vaccine. Ever present as a music and cultural icon, Dolly’s coffee table book, Songteller, was recently #3 on the New York Times Bestseller List while the audiobook version held onto #1, and her Christmas album, A Holly Dolly Christmas, debuted at #1 on the Billboard country chart.

Dolly kicked off her holiday album promotion on Nov. 13 with an Amazon special Dolly Parton's Comin' Home for Christmas. She followed that up with a performance for the Rockefeller Christmas Tree lighting ceremony and an hourlong CBS special A Holly Dolly Christmas, which first aired Sunday, Dec. 6 on CBS and is available for on demand streaming on CBS All Access. The network special features both original and classic Christmas songs from the new record, with a mix of hymns and lighthearted holiday songs. The star also shares intimate stories from her life. The production was supported with audio, lighting, camera and video services by PRG – which included more than 70 lights and a curved LED wall.

While many artists are slowing down during the pandemic, Parton has 16 more performances scheduled over the holiday season, made possible by her own dedicated production studio in Nashville. Parton’s longtime manager Danny Nozell is a marketing visionary. Back in 2007, he strategically targeted a younger generation of fans through television, viral marketing and European tours, which elevated Parton to the kind of act that could sell out stadiums at the drop of a hat. Always ahead of the curve, Nozell was planning to create a full production facility before the pandemic hit.

With the onset of studio shutdowns, Nozell was determined to work quickly. He purchased a 15,000 square foot commercial property with a 10,000 square foot warehouse out back, just outside Nashville. He had two studios built on the property, soundproofed both rooms and installed steel in the ceiling so arena productions could be hung within the space. NOZ Studios became a single stop where a creative team could film, edit, and score everything under one roof.

NOZ Studios also established technology provider PRG as their preferred production vendor for the space, by way of Account Executive David Bennett. Because PRG provides audio, lighting, camera, rigging, video, LED and scenic technologies, the NOZ team is able to do one-stop shopping with them, which is more valuable now than ever. “When you’re working with multiple vendors, things can get lost in communication,” said Nozell. “Having one provider in PRG and one contact with David means none of that happens. I respect the knowledge and experience – David is a 40-year industry veteran which is what I wanted. PRG stepped up to the plate and worked with us to adapt and overcome any problems, which made us successful.”

Once he realized the pandemic wasn’t going away any time soon, Nozell focused his efforts on pitching Dolly Parton performances with digital providers. “Content is king, and I knew it would be on hold unless we took control of our own circumstances by creating a safe production space,” he said. After five months of building and a seven-figure investment, NOZ Studios was up and running, with deals for 18 Dolly Parton performances and a rigorous schedule ahead of them, all supported by PRG’s gear. Parton’s goal is to bring light, love, peace, and unity to the world with this Christmas album – especially during such a dark time. “You’re going to see Dolly everywhere over the holiday season bringing positivity to the world,” said Nozell.

Written by: Erin Bates
All Photos Credit: CTK Enterprises

A HOLLY DOLLY CHRISTMAS SPECIAL CREDITS
Produced by: Dolly Parton
Produced by: Danny Nozell
Director: Jim Yockey
Assistant Director: Cindy Brewer
Director of Photography: Matt Coale
Director of Photography: Louis Chanatry
Creative Director: Steve Summers
Editor: JB Rowland

Production:
Production Manager: Paul Scodova
Production Manager: Olly Rowland
PRG Producer: David Bennett
PRG Production Manager: Josh Swart

Audio Engineer: Paul Scodova
Audio Engineer: Michael Davis
Audio Engineer: Bryan 'Opie' Baxley
Mix Engineer: Michael Davis
Audio tech: Chris Diener
Engineer in charge: Scott Tucker
Engineer in charge: Andy Bell
Engineer 2: Chris Payne

Rigging Consultant/PRG: Eric Anthony Chabira
Lead Rigger: Trey Merritt
Rigger: Chris Cadet

Lighting Director/Video content designer: Jeff Matthews
Lighting Designer/PRG: Luke Pritchard
Lighting Designer: Christian Hall
Lighting tech: Terry Smith
Lighting tech: Thomas Dubas
Lighting tech: Brandon Quisberg
Lighting tech: Breanna Rae Stone

Lead backline tech: Raymond Hardy
Drum tech/stage audio: Andrew Hujdich

Production Runner: Randy 'Stripes' Sappo
Production Runner: Charlotte Scalise
Floor Director: Kristi Smith

President TNDV: Nic Dugger
Video truck engineer: Andy Bell

Jimmy Jib operator: Mike Breece
Jimmy Jib Tech: Brandon Tait

Camera op: David Lewis
Camera op: Matt Coale
Camera op: Amanda Cotanza
Assistant camera: CK Cates
Assistant camera: Jarrett Rawlings
Assistant camera: Preston Phillips
Video Shader: David Wright
Broadcast Engineer/PRG: Tim Ivancic
Camera Consultant/PRG Brandon Sesenton

Lead LED tech: Colton Carrell
LED Tech/PRG: Luke Lewis

Generators supplied by: United Rentals
Trailers/Support facilities: Adventure Coast Rentals
Stagehands supplied by: Crew One Productions Nashville
Filmed and recorded at NOZ Entertainment in Nashville