1. Lawsuit over former Randy Parton Theatre to be filed

    A conservative non-profit group said it would file papers against Parton, his company and regional economic development offices, but not Roanoke Rapids.

    1. Jun. 19, 2008
  2. Money-losing theater prompts tax increase

    Roanoke Rapids officials have approved a five-cent increase to the local tax rate, in part because of financial difficulties at a music theater formerly operated by country music singer Randy Parton.

    1. Jun. 12, 2008
  3. Theater's troubles could mean tax hike

    Roanoke Rapids is considering a 3-cent property tax rate increase to help make up for money lost on the former Randy Parton Theatre.

    1. Jun. 4, 2008
  4. Embattled Roanoke Rapids Theatre gets new management

    Gilmore Entertainment, out of Myrtle Beach, S.C., will assume responsibilities of management, show production, ticketing and operations of the $21.5 million, 1,500-seat entertainment complex.

    1. May. 8, 2008
  5. Roanoke Rapids Theatre still in red

    The Roanoke Rapids Theatre lost more than $1 million in the first three months of this year, including the costs of buying singer Randy Parton out of his performance and management contract.

    1. May. 1, 2008
  6. Roanoke Rapids 'Divorces' Parton

    The Roanoke Rapids City Council on Friday agreed to pay Randy Parton almost $547,000 to buy out his contract to perform at and manage a local music theater that once was named for him.

    1. Mar. 3, 2008
  7. Roanoke Rapids Owed Money, Management Firm Says

    The former management firm of the Roanoke Rapids Theatre on Tuesday released more details of a letter of intent between the company and the city.

    1. Feb. 19, 2008
  8. Theater's Management Cuts Ties With Roanoke Rapids

    Boston-based UGL Unicco is terminating its contract immediately because, it says, the city did not pay it more than $100,000.

    1. Feb. 18, 2008
  9. Search Is on Again for Roanoke Rapids Theater Manager

    A decision to end negotiations with the firm that replaced Randy Parton has led to a city leader's resigning and questions about the troubled project's future.

    1. Feb. 13, 2008
  10. Federal Investigators Look Into Parton Theater Deal

    Federal investigators who handled the political corruption investigation of former state House Speaker Jim Black are looking into the taxpayer-funded deal that brought Randy Parton to Roanoke Rapids.

    1. Feb. 11, 2008
  11. Parton Says He Dedicated His Life to Theater Project

    After months of criticism surrounding the theater that once bore his name, Randy Parton defended himself and said he didn't blame anyone for the project's failures.

    1. Feb. 8, 2008
  12. Retail Development Aims to Be a Tourist Push for Roanoke Rapids Theatre

    The Carolina Crossroads project, next to the Roanoke Rapids Theatre, broke ground Wednesday. City leaders hope retail development will help attract more visitors to the theater.

    1. Jan. 23, 2008
  13. Roanoke Rapids Theatre Turns Profit

    The venue once known as the Randy Parton Theatre is celebrating its first sellout performance. The theater has more than a dozen new acts booked through May, and there are plans to host local talent competitions.

    1. Jan. 17, 2008
  14. Roanoke Rapids Looks Ahead Without Parton or His Name to Draw Tourists

    There are new concerns about the land that surrounds the Roanoke Rapids Theatre. Randy Parton is gone and so is his name, so now the theater and the surrounding area must look for new ways to draw tourists.

    1. Jan. 9, 2008
  15. Roanoke Rapids to Remove Randy Parton's Name From Theater

    The Randy Parton Theatre is just a memory – not the building, but the name. The Roanoke Rapids City Council voted Tuesday night to change the theater's name to the Roanoke Rapids Theatre.

    1. Jan. 8, 2008
  16. Moore Criticized for Parton Theatre Financing Deal

    A gubernatorial candidate has been drawn into the funding debate over the Randy Parton Theatre in Roanoke Rapids.

    1. Dec. 19, 2007
  17. Roanoke Rapids Hires Law Firm to Look Into Parton Dispute

    The Roanoke Rapids City Council held a closed-door meeting for over an hour Tuesday night to discuss Parton's contract and announced the hiring of an attorney to represent them in the dispute

    1. Dec. 12, 2007
  18. Dolly Parton Comes to Brother's Defense

    Country music star Dolly Parton came to the defense of her brother Tuesday, saying he is being used as a scapegoat for problems at his namesake theater in Roanoke Rapids.

    1. Dec. 11, 2007
  19. Roanoke Rapids Leaders Say They Want Parton Gone

    Roanoke Rapids officials said Friday they want the namesake of the Randy Parton Theatre gone and that he "won't be performing indefinitely."

    1. Dec. 7, 2007
  20. Thursday's Show Goes on Without Randy Parton

    The show went on Thursday night at the Randy Parton Theatre – but without its namesake headliner. WRAL's Beau Minnick got an exclusive interview with the singer -- after he was asked to leave.

    1. Dec. 7, 2007
  21. Theater Records Show Parton Spent Money on Alcohol, Vegas Shows

    Roanoke Rapids city officials released financial records Thursday showing how Randy Parton spent part of his $3 million reserve fund, which taxpayers supplied for the Randy Parton Theatre.

    1. Dec. 6, 2007
  22. Randy Parton Replaced as GM at Namesake Theater

    A new management group hired a Louisiana native with on-the-ground experience in North Carolina to be general manager of the troubled Randy Parton Theatre.

    1. Dec. 3, 2007
  23. Randy Parton Theatre Debate Rages On

    City council members shared their concerns Thursday night about the new contract between the city of Roanoke Rapids and Randy Parton.

    1. Nov. 29, 2007
  24. New Randy Parton Theatre Contract Draws Criticism

    The public is getting the first look at the new contract between the city of Roanoke Rapids and the Randy Parton Theatre. Some folks are already asking why the city is absorbing some of Parton's debt.

    1. Nov. 21, 2007
  25. Randy Parton Theatre Under New Management

    The Roanoke Rapids City Council voted Tuesday night to hire a new management company for the Randy Parton Theatre. The city borrowed $21.5 million to build the 1,500-seat complex, which Parton had managed.

    1. Nov. 21, 2007
  26. City Could Release Parton Theater Contract

    The Roanoke Rapids city council could release its new contract with the Randy Parton Theatre at its meeting Tuesday night, if the contract is finished.

    1. Nov. 20, 2007
  27. Councilman: People Have 'Right to Know’ About Theater

    For the first time, a city official in Roanoke Rapids has spoken out against how the city has handled its contract negotiations with the Randy Parton Theatre.

    1. Nov. 16, 2007
  28. City Council Wants to Negotiate New Randy Parton Theatre Contract

    The Roanoke Rapids City Council wants to negotiate a revised contract for the Randy Parton Theatre. The city borrowed about $21 million to help build the theater.

    1. Nov. 15, 2007
  29. Attendance Low at Parton Theater, City Officials Say

    Roanoke Rapids officials say attendance figures at the newly opened Randy Parton Theatre are less than they expected on their $21 million investment.

    1. Oct. 25, 2007
  30. Roanoke Rapids Banks on Parton's Brother to Build Entertainment Hub

    Roanoke Rapids is counting on the brother of country music superstar Dolly Parton and the theater in his name to build an entertainment destination.

    1. Jul 26, 2007
  31. Parton Announces July Date for Roanoke Rapids Theater Debut

    Randy Parton will open his theater July 26 with a music variety show, the theater announced Thursday.

    1. May 18, 2007
  32. Roanoke Rapids Leaders Defend Parton Theater Deal

    Public money brought the Randy Parton Theater to Roanoke Rapids, but the promise of a picture-postcard entertainment destination is the source of great excitement and some skepticism.

    1. Apr 25, 2007
  33. Roanoke Rapids Picking Up $22 Million Tab For Parton Theater

    1. Sep 21, 2006
  34. Roanoke Rapids Parton Deal Allows Bonds Without Taxpayer OK

    1. Dec 16, 2005
  35. Dolly Parton, Brother Break Ground On New Halifax Entertainment District

    1. Nov 11, 2005