A mini-history of The News & Observer‘s glowing coverage of the Randy Parton Theater project:

July 1, 2005 — Page 1: “Parton brother plans venue in Roanoke Rapids”

They see it as a magnet that will attract more theaters, hotels and stores….

The Randy Parton Theater is being developed by Blanchard and
Calhoun Commercial of Augusta, Ga., and will cost $9 million, said
Michael Dunlow, a Roanoke Rapids developer.

City leaders said all the money being invested so far has come
from the private sector. Nor did the city seek economic incentives from
the state, said Mayor Drewery N. Beale of Roanoke Rapids.
But the budget bill passed by the state House contains $750,000 to promote the entertainment district…

July 2, 2005 — Page 1: “Roanoke Rapids pins hopes on Parton”

Jerry Taylor, a former construction worker who runs a furniture store
downtown, said he hoped that becoming a music mecca would keep
residents from having to leave for jobs and entertainment. He knows
construction workers who drive from Roanoke Rapids to Richmond, Va.,
more than an hour away.

“You’re going to have people from Richmond coming down here,” he said Friday….

July 2, 2005 — Editorial: “Hoedown in Halifax”

Show business is uncertain even in the best of times, but to his
credit, Parton has arranged private financing for the $9 million
venture. The House version of the still-unpassed state budget includes
$750,000 to promote the entertainment district, a reasonable
expenditure that could benefit an entire region.

Skeptics may be forgiven their furrowed brows. No, Roanoke Rapids is no
Orlando. But neither was Branson, Mo., all that famous until country
stars Roy Clark and Boxcar Willie built theaters there….

Nov. 12, 2005 — Page 1: “Dolly has Halifax singing ‘9 to 5′”

With “I Saw the Light” and a revival’s fervor, Dolly Parton and brother
Randy on Friday launched a $129 million country music complex that
residents hope will be the salvation of a stagnant economy….

I wouldn’t have missed this for anything in the world,” said Dolly
Parton, who brought along a cadre of Grand Ole Opry veterans. “You’re
definitely going to be in for some great entertainment.”

Many hoped they would also be in for some great jobs. Backers
say 2,500 people eventually will work at the complex. “It’s going to
bring much-needed employment,” said Freda Sexton of Roanoke Rapids, who
held a large “I love you Dolly” sign.
“It will change the whole face of the community,” said Alton Anderson, a Weldon physician….

Boosters say that with the addition of motels, stores and recreational activities, Randy Parton’s
project will become a major tourist attraction and bring in some of the
thousands of cars that speed by each day. Some see the entertainment
and service industry jobs as a way to overcome setbacks from the loss
of textile jobs that largely built the area.

“It’s going to break the region wide open,” Dan Brown, head of
the Roanoke Rapids Sanitary District, said in an interview after the
ceremony. “We’re going to convert a farm into an economic engine.”

April 27, 2007 — Not Page 1, but Page B-7; in a shortened AP story, not by a N&O reporter: “Parton theater perks defended”

City officials in Roanoke Rapids defended Thursday a plan to pay
entertainer Randy Parton $1.5 million a year plus housing and vehicle
amenities to manage a 1,500-seat theater.

Much
is riding on the success of the theater, for which the city borrowed
$21.5 million to build in hopes it would help transform an area hit
hard by unemployment and poverty….

…the city agreed to provide Parton with a fully furnished home and car
for three years. When the theater opens, Parton also will receive an
“artist fee.” Although Parton’s pay will depend partially on the
theater’s revenues, the city established a $3 million reserve fund that
can help pay the fee if the theater initially doesn’t make enough money….

Details, details…