So you thought the only big news in Dolly Parton's life of late was Saturday night's spectacular concert at the Infinite Energy Center in Duluth?

Guess again.

Parton, 70, and her stay-in-the-background husband, Carl Dean, have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary by renewing their vows.

Dolly Parton, who performed in Gwinnett earlier this year, is holding a star-studded telethon for wildfire victims. Photo: Robb D. Cohen / www.robbsphotos.com
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Wednesday's release from Parton's press representative said the private vow renewal ceremony took place in Nashville -- but it didn't specify when. However, the couple were married on May 30, 1966 in Rossville, Ga. That led to some speculation that they might return to the small town near the Tennessee border last Monday, which was also Memorial Day, to redo the deed at the original scene.

Photos of the renewal ceremony will be "released to the highest bidder" (translation: sold) to benefit children's charities.

"I'm dragging him kicking and screaming into the next 50 years," Parton said in the release. "Wish us luck. In all honesty the one way I was able to get Carl to do any of this in the first place was that it was a great opportunity for us to raise money for some very worthy causes."

Indeed. Dean, 72, and "a man who has stayed out of the spotlight for many years" has also agreed to do his first interview to coincide with the release of the photos. The questions will be submitted by fans and Parton will do the asking.

Now you know how they've managed to stay married for so long!

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