Dollywood Pigeon Forge, TN
Contact: mail@mountainhighway.com
Web: mountainhighway.com
Players: Victoria, banjo; Davis, guitar; Joe, bass; Emily, mandolin
Dollywood is a theme park birthed by musical icon Dolly Parton. Beyond the rollercoasters, reflections on Parton’s career, working church, and cinnamon bread, there’s plenty of musical entertainment to enjoy. Since the family destination’s overarching theme revolves around Americana in all its forms, it makes sense that bluegrass is always represented.
For the 2025 holiday season, the amusement mecca saw fit to hire Mountain Highway, a pure and simple family band that has been gaining notice. Upright bassist Joe is father to Victoria and Emily, the act’s banjo and mandolin players, respectively. Son Jack used to hold down guitar duties but has since been replaced. (The band also formerly included daughter Rebekah on fiddle). On top of touring around the country, they’ve snagged a handful of professional endorsements and will be playing a bluegrass-themed Caribbean cruise this November.
On select dates for four times a day, Mountain Highway played a selection of energetic tunes in the winter cold. This being the Christmas season and given the park’s emphasis on religion, the group made sure Jesus occupied a prime spot by including their twist on “Silent Night.” While religious praise is a regular practice for them anyway (one of their albums is titled Glory To His Name,after all), the group is equally likely to cover less conventional influences, such as the Eagles and Linda Ronstadt. During this performance, the female half sang a gender-flipped version of the Flatt & Scruggs classic “The Girl I Love Don’t Pay Me No Mind.” Also on the non-worshipful front was “Dark Hollow” by Grateful Dead.
They aren’t afraid to be accessible in other ways, too. Competing with the whistle from the train that runs through the park, Joe brought up his fondness for Soul Train, to which the daughters feigned ignorance. Dad then donned a loud jacket and struck a pose. The set ended with a bouncy, participatory version of “Jingle Bells.”
Mountain Highway’s playing is fast and sweet, with the young women’s cresting harmonies forming a natural focal point. The quartet did an admirable job, especially considering they were performing under subpar conditions. It’s worth noting they have two super fans that attend and record every show.
