1. Roanoke Rapids releases minutes from meetings on Parton Theatre

    The minutes document the council’s split with one-time owner Randy Parton and the city’s deal with the theatre’s new owner Chicago businessman Lafayette Gatling.

    1. May. 1, 2009
  2. Roanoke Rapids Theater sale becomes final

    The city on Monday signed over the $21.5 million theater to Chicago businessman Lafayette Gatling under a $12.5 million lease-buy agreement.

    1. Mar. 2, 2009
  3. Theater sale delayed in Roanoke Rapids

    In October, the city approved the sale of the troubled Roanoke Rapids Theatre for $12.5 million to Chicago businessman Lafayette Gatling.

    1. Mar. 9, 2009
  4. Troubled theater reopens to packed house

    More than 1,300 people packed the hall of the Roanoke Rapids Theatre for a Christmas performance Thursday night, filling the troubled entertainment venue to near capacity.

    1. Dec 19, 2008
  5. Chicago entrepreneur has big plans for Roanoke Rapids Theatre

    The man who has bought the Roanoke Rapids Theatre – once run by country star Dolly Parton's brother – says he can turn the struggling entertainment complex around. And he's willing to invest millions in the effort.

    1. Dec 11, 2008
  6. Roanoke Rapids to sell theater to Chicago man

    A Chicago businessman has gotten a green light to buy the troubled Roanoke Rapids Theater once run by country star Dolly Parton's brother.

    1. Oct 29, 2008
  7. Roanoke Rapids considering buy-out offer for troubled theater

    The city of Roanoke Rapids may soon be out of the theater business, but the terms are far from ideal, Mayor Drewery Beale said Friday.

    1. Oct 17, 2008
  8. Roanoke Rapids officials to meet with possible theater buyer

    Roanoke Rapids officials plan to travel to Chicago next week to meet with a businessman interested in buying the former Randy Parton Theatre.

    1. Aug 14, 2008
  9. Roanoke Rapids could sell troubled theater

    City officials confirm they have spoken with Chicago businessman Lafayette Gatling about purchasing its embattled music theater.

    1. Jul 29, 2008
  10. Roanoke Rapids taxpayer sues Parton, colleagues

    A Roanoke Rapids taxpayer has filed a lawsuit against the brother of country music star Dolly Parton and others involved in an embattled theater project.

    1. Jul 28, 2008
  11. Recruiter in Parton theater deal gets federal subpoena

    Rick Watson, an industry recruiter instrumental in helping bring what once was the Randy Parton Theatre to Roanoke Rapids has been served with a federal subpoena.

    1. Jul 10, 2008
  12. Roanoke Rapids Theatre temporarily closed

    For over a week, the curtain has been closed at the Roanoke Rapids Theatre.

    1. Jul 9, 2008
  13. Parton theater lawsuit 'frivolous,' defendant says

    Rick Watson says the North Carolina Institute for Constitutional Law's lawsuit against him and country entertainer Randy Parton is politically motivated.

    1. Jun 19, 2008
  14. 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
  15. 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
  16. 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
  17. 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
  18. 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
  19. 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
  20. 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
  21. 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
  22. 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
  23. 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
  24. 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
  25. 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
  26. 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
  27. 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
  28. 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
  29. 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
  30. 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
  31. 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
  32. 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
  33. 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
  34. 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
  35. 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
  36. 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
  37. 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
  38. 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
  39. 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
  40. 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
  41. 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
  42. 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
  43. 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
  44. 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
  45. 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
  46. Roanoke Rapids Picking Up $22 Million Tab For Parton Theater

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

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

    1. Nov 11, 2005