Published: August 29, 2007 07:37 pm      

Stella Parton: More than Dolly’s sister

FAIRMONT — Once again, the Sagebrush Round-up Fall Festival is bringing a well-known performer to Marion County.

Nashville recording artist Stella Parton will headline the festival at 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 8, said Bill Janoske, president of the Country Music Association of West Virginia, which is presenting the festival in conjunction in conjunction with the West Virginia Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum.

Music by local and regional artists starts at 1 p.m. and continues through 11 p.m.

Parton is more than Dolly’s younger sister. She’s not just an award-winning singer and songwriter. She’s also an author, actress and chef.

She’s the author of three cookbooks: “Really Cookin’, Vol. 1,” “Country Cookin’” and “Stella’s Really Cookin’, Vol. 2.” She has also appeared on The Home Shopping Network successfully presenting her Taste of Life all-natural food products.

She has appeared in several films, on television’s “The Dukes of Hazzard,” “The Today Show” and “Good Morning, America,” and in theatrical productions of “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes,” “Pump Boys and Dinettes,” and “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.”

She devotes much of her time to causes like domestic violence and poverty in the Appalachian region, and is the National Spokesperson for the Christian Appalachian Project. She also received a doctorate in sacred music from Emmanuel University in North Carolina.

Some of her awards include: Album of the Year (Appalachian Gospel), Alabama Country and Gospel Music Hall of Fame; Female Vocalist of the Year, Alabama Country and Gospel Music Hall of Fame; Hall of Fame Induction, American Old-Time Country Music Hall of Fame; and Honorary Doctorate of Humanities and Honorary Doctorate of Sacred Music.

She was named CCMA Female Vocalist, 2004, and CCMA Mainstream Country Artist, 2002, and received CCMA nominations for Pioneer, 2004; Video Of The Year, 2002; Songwriter Of The Year, 2002; and Mainstream Country Artist, 2001.

She has won ASCAP awards for both songwriter (“I Want To Hold You In My Dreams”) and recording artist (“It’s Not Funny Anymore” and “Stormy Weather”).

Her albums include: “In the Garden,” “Stella And The Gospel Carrolls,” “I Want To Hold You In My Dreams,” “Country Sweet,” “Stella Parton,” “So Far, So Good,” “True To Me,” “Always Tomorrow,” “Picture In A Frame,” “A Woman’s Touch” and “Appalachian Blues.”

Bluegrass music will fill the air from 6-11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 7, courtesy of Hardly Ever Bluegrass from Elkins, Whittaker Station from Mannington, Vearle Ray & The Groovin’ Brothers from Braxton County, and Everready Bluegrass Band from Elkins, and Randy Thomas and Friends from Garrett County, Md.

Bluegrass Weekend is set for Set. 28 and 29.

“Attendance on Fridays has been down,”

“Everybody comes out on Saturdays. We’re trying something different by having bluegrass weekends in every month with five Saturdays.

“Bluegrass has a lot of fans,” he said. “We hoping to increase attendance on Friday nights.”

“The festival is the big fund raiser for the CMA,” said Janoske.

The Sagebrush Round-up is presented by the Country Music Association of West Virginia, a volunteer group that also maintains the music hall on Bunner Ridge.

Sagebrush appeals to families, he said.

“There is no alcohol, no smoking. The facility holds about 1,200 people. We take any age, from 1 to 101.

“It’s more like a family get-together than seeing a show. People socialize, hang out and have a good time. And that’s every Saturday night.”

A festival is held each spring and fall to raise money for the association, and to bring top entertainment to the area.

“We have our biggest crowds for these name acts. It’s a big stage, so it’s easy to see, a good sound. It’s a good time.

“I just love it. I encourage everybody to give it a try. It’s very open, family-oriented place. It’s a good place to hear country music.”

Tickets to the Parton concerts are $15 at the door and $10 in advance. Children under 12 are admitted free with an adult. One ticket is good for both shows.

They are available at the following locations: The Sagebrush Round-up Show every Saturday, (6-10:30 p.m.);

• Rider Pharmacy, 303 Merchant St., Fairmont; Middletown Mall Service Desk, White Hall; and Cotton Patch, Farmington;

• Our Family Craft Shop, Glenmark Centre, and Kleeb’s Music Center, Morgantown Commons, Morgantown;

• Oreck Vacuum (next to Lowes), 488 Emily Drive, Clarksburg; Quality Home Comfort, Riverview Drive, Grafton; and Best of Styles Hair Salon, Market Place Mall, Weston.

For more information, call 292-5854, 363-4864, 986-2158 or 301-234-8629; or visit billjanoske.tripod.com.

E-mail Debra Minor Wilson at dwilson@timeswv.com.