Big & Rich saw firsthand Dolly Parton put her fame aside after the 2016 Tennessee wildfires that devastated the community.During an interview with Fox News Digital, the country music duo, Big Kenny and John Rich, who recently released their protest single titled "Hello AI," recalled seeing Parton be an "extraordinary person" for her community and trying to help her neighbors."One thing that struck me that particular day, you know, Gatlinburg had basically burned to the ground.And that's right in her backyard, where she's from," Rich began.
"So, she was distraught over what was going on.In the moment of those performances, it wasn't like you were standing next to Dolly Parton, the world famous iconic singer.
You were standing next to a country girl who was trying to help out her neighbors.That was really her whole point."Big & Rich recalled Dolly Parton putting fame aside after the 2016 Tennessee wildfires.
(Getty Images)After devastating wildfires tore through Gatlinburg and Sevier County in November 2016, Parton rallied the country music community to help her native East Tennessee.Parton hosted the star-studded "Smoky Mountains Rise: A Benefit for the My People Fund" telethon on Dec.
13, with Big & Rich among the nearly 20 artists who performed.DOLLY PARTON'S LIFE IN HER OWN WORDS: FROM SMOKY MOUNTAINS POVERTY TO COUNTRY MUSIC IMMORTALITYThe benefit ultimately raised more than $9 million for wildfire victims after the fires killed 14 people and damaged or destroyed more than 2,400 buildings, according to ABC News.The money supported Parton’s My People Fund, which provided direct financial assistance to families who lost their homes.WATCH: John Rich recalls seeing Dolly Parton’s ‘heart’ during devastating Tennessee wildfiresBig Kenny recalled not only the "Smoky Mountains Rise" performance with Parton, but every encounter with the late country music legend during their interview with Fox News Digital.John Rich of Big & Rich in 2018.
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