What’s up, dudes? It's half way to Christmas, so Merry Halfmas, everyone! To celebrate, I've got CJ from Christmas Sessions and Ashley Dunbar from The Magic of the Season with me to talk about the awesomeness that is Dolly Parton! Did you know she had a 1987 variety show? Well, she did, and that show had a Christmas episode: "A Down Home Country Christmas!"

Dolly introduces us to her Christmas show dressed in a Santa suit on the roof of the studio. After sliding down the chimney, her guests Burl Ives and Mac Davis appear on sleds. They all sing a few songs together, "I'll Be Home with Bells On" and "A Down Home Country Christmas." Dolly also tell us the story of a very special Christmas in which her dad bought her mom a wedding ring and she got a new baby brother.

Burl sings "A Holly, Jolly Christmas" and Mac sings "Christmas is for Kids." Dolly reminisces about her first Christmas alone in Nashville, and Mac Davis joins her on guitar. It segues nicely to the show's staple sketch Dixie's Place. Socialites Mr. and Mrs. Fulbright's car breaks down, and they find themselves at Dixie's. Mr. Fulbright encounters the ghost of Mr. Pruitt, and rediscovers his spirit of Christmas and family.

The show ends in a huge Christmas carol medley with everyone joining in at an icy pond. Dolly, rather than singing us out with "I Will Always Love You," ends the festivities by singing "Once Upon a Christmas." She then thanks all her guests and wishes us a merry time.

Puppets? Check. Fake Dolly legs hanging from inside the chimney? Yep. cursed corn husk doll? Definitely! So grab your spoons, play your washboard, and take a sled to this episode!

The Magic of the Season
IG: @themagicoftheseasonpodcast

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