Briefs: News From Dolly Parton, Charlie Daniels And More

• Dolly Parton has conquered the worlds of music, film, theater, theme parks and more. Now, she’s getting involved in another new venture with the launch of a series of three slot machines bearing her name. The machines are set to be unveiled October 2-4 at the Global Gaming Expo (G2E) in Las Vegas by casino gaming manufacturer International Game Technology (IGT).

“As you know, I love doing lots of different things and this is the most different thing that I’ve done so far,” says Parton in a prepared statement.  “I’m very excited to be working with IGT with my very own video slot machines and five-reel spinning reel games. Wanna play?  Well, come on!”  

The three games are called Dolly Parton Video Slots, Two Doors Down and Nine to Five Spinning Reels. All feature interactive, jukebox-style song selections, and Parton’s image cheering the player on.

• Charlie Daniels and The Charlie Daniels Band will have a starring role in ESPN’s Monday Night Football “open” on Monday, Sept. 17 when the Denver Broncos face the Falcons in Atlanta. The show’s open will feature a re-worked version of Daniels’ 1979 hit song “The Devil Went Down to Georgia.”

Originally written as a story about the devil, who comes to Georgia to procure souls, Daniels recorded new lyrics for the song last week that highlight the MNF matchup and both teams’ star quarterbacks.

Said Daniels in a press release, “I’ve been watching ‘Monday Night Football’ since it started, and to be a part of it kind of makes me feel proud. I had to watch the lyrics real close because I’ve done those same ‘Devil Went Down To Georgia’ lyrics for 33 years.”

The original version of the song spent 14 weeks on the Billboard country singles chart in 1979, peaking at No. 1.

This is not the first time Daniels has appeared in a MNF open. The fiddler was part of the all-star band that was featured each week during ESPN’s first MNF season in 2006.

• Last December, country singer/songwriter Wade Hayes was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. Successful surgery and chemotherapy removed the cancer and gave him a renewed sense of purpose for his life and career, inspiring him to write a new song about his ordeal called “Is It Already Time.” Now, the team that helped Hayes have a number of hits at his former label, Columbia Records, has come back together to help him produce, promote, publicize, market and sell his new music for a worthy cause—cancer research. All involved are donating their time and effort to increase awareness of the disease.

Hayes also brought hit producer Don Cook out of retirement to produce “Is It Already Time.” Cook was at the helm for Hayes’ six top 10 singles, including his 1994 No 1 hit “Old Enough To Know Better,” as well as producing his gold-selling albums “Old Enough To Know Better” and “On A Good Night.” Plans are in the works to record an entire album for release in 2013.

The single is available on iTunes, amazon.com, Spotify and most other digital outlets, and all proceeds go to the Colon Cancer Alliance. To listen to the new single, visit wadehayes.com.

• Eli Young Band bass player Jon Jones and his wife, Sarah, have announced that they are expecting their first child, a son, in December.