It’s a Daddy-Daughter duo at the Arrendale Amphitheatre – two great talents at one event.
Georgia Country Music Hall-of-Fame member Katie Deal and her Nashville Band will be celebrating Dolly Parton on the Piedmont University campus in Demorest on Saturday, September 14. The two-hour show called Parton Me! will highlight many favorite Dolly Parton songs from over the years, taking listeners from Parton’s earliest recordings to her latest.
Deal is known for her openness about her life, successes, and failures, and audiences enjoy hearing stories about the Deal family, life experiences, and why the songs she sings are chosen.
Parton Me!
Katie’s show begins at 5 p.m. and ends at 7 p.m. “As promised,” Katie laughs. “We all have to get home for the televised UGA v Kentucky game starting at 7:30 p.m.”
Her opening act is her daddy, the 82nd Governor of Georgia Nathan Deal, who has written a children’s book, “Veto, the Governor’s Cat.”
Governor Nathan and Katie Deal talked with Now Habersham about how much fun they are having working together. Gov. Deal will be signing books starting at 4 p.m. “I’m lighting her way,” the Governor said teasing.
Promise kept
Gov. Deal wrote the children’s book because he promised his wife Sandra that he would do it. Before she passed away from brain cancer, she was able to hear the story and give him a thumbs up.
“So much of my Mama is in this book. It is how she viewed life and loved people,” Katie said. “There are so many moral lessons built into the story.”
Veto is now 11 years old and living in the Northeast Georgia mountains. When Bill, the other family cat, passes away, a cardinal comes to tell Veto the news.
“The Cardinal tells Veto in a reassuring way that Bill went to follow the sunset,” Gov. Deal explained. “Many people don’t know this, but the day Sandra passed away, there was the most beautiful sunset that Northeast Georgia has ever seen.”
Many people believe the cardinal is a messenger to let loved ones know they are always watching and following them. The messages of this children’s book are there to help with those times in life that are hard and also lessons about how to navigate day-to-day interactions with others.
The children’s book author reads with expression, accents, and dialects. The characters come to life and become memorable friends. “There is a Grumpy Groundhog who talks to Veto about being thankful for all that he has. The Groundhog has to seek out his own meals while Veto’s are brought to him.”
Event information
Gates will open at 4 p.m. to get a signed copy of the book and claim your spot in the Arrendale Amphitheatre. Food trucks and drinks will be available. No outside food or drink are allowed.
At 5 p.m. Katie Deal and her Nashville Band take the stage for an unforgettable performance. All proceeds from the benefit concerts will go to the Friends of the Arts Fund at Piedmont University.
Tickets are on sale now. They are $35 for covered stadium seating and $25 for uncovered stadium seating and lawn seats.
Arrendale Amphitheatre is an outdoor entertainment venue, so dress accordingly. Bring your chairs, stadium seats, bug spray, and sunscreen. There are a limited number of seats available for those with mobility issues. Please be sure to purchase handicapped tickets if you have difficulty going up and down steps.
In the event of rain, the concert will be moved indoors to the Swanson Center Mainstage Theatre. Watch Piedmont’s social media for announcements about any location changes.
For questions or more information, please contact Bri Cantrell at [email protected] or 706-778-8500 x1172.
