By Wesley Smoot

Dolly Parton and James Patterson in conversation with Connie Britton at ACL Live during Blockchain Creative Labs’ Dollyverse at SXSW

SXSW 2022 was an absolute success. Many like myself, had the opportunity to network with industry leaders, interview award-winning talent, and attend the many outstanding film screenings and music showcases.

With that said, there will always be specific moments that stand out in everyone’s South by experience. For me, it had to be none other than: Dollyverse.

On March 18, the final days of SXSW 2022 Blockchain Creative Labs hosted Dollyverse at ACL Live Moody Theater. The event opened with multiple country music acts.

Following these performances a panel ensued, moderated by Emmy-nominated actress Connie Britton. Connie discussed the release of the novel Run, Rose, Run, with the legend herself, Dolly Parton and best-selling co-author James Patterson. (I already ordered mine)

Dolly Parton and James Patterson at ACL Live during Blockchain Creative Labs’ Dollyverse at SXSW

I was beyond myself to learn, prior to the panel, music icon Dolly Parton would be performing only feet away from me and my team. This was to be her first ever appearance and performance at SXSW.

To be perfectly honest, I was expecting maybe three or four songs (and I would have been more than content with that). Dolly Parton delivered a full show to a packed audience, opening each song with heartwarming stories that included growing up in Tennessee, standing out amongst her peers in a Penecostal upbringing, and of course love & family. Dolly performed her biggest hits spanning decades, leaving audience members at times in tears or laughter. To this day, no one does it better.

Dolly Parton performs on stage at ACL Live during Blockchain Creative Labs’ Dollyverse at SXSW

Other highlights included Blockchain Creative Labs providing attendees with their own Dolly Parton NFT.

Scott Greenberg, the CEO of Blockchain Creative Labs (BCL), partner for the event, said that Parton is “the perfect person to introduce to the mainstream audience an easy-to-use, Web3 experience that will live-stream her SXSW event and provide them the opportunity to own and enjoy her music.”

While NFT was undoubtedly the buzzword of SXSW 2022, I am still working to understand its values and applications. Dolly Parton had this to say:

““I’m almost always up for trying something new and different, I’d say releasing NFTs at my first ever appearance at SXSW, definitely counts as new and different!””

— Dolly Parton

DOLLYVERSE PRESENTED BY BLOCKCHAIN CREATIVE LABS- SXSW 2022