DOLLY PARTON - PARTON DEFENDS BROTHER

Country star DOLLY PARTON has blasted the North Carolina dinner theatre bosses who fired her brother for onstage drunkeness. The singer's younger brother, Randy, was sacked from his namesake theatre in Roanoke Rapids at the beginning of the month (06Dec07) after venue bosses reportedly found him under the influence of alcohol. But his big sister insists Randy is just being used as "a scapegoat" for a failing enterprise. She says, "I know in my heart that Randy gave it his best effort. Unfortunately, now things aren't working as well as everyone hoped, everyone is pointing fingers and naturally no one wants to take the blame." Randy Parton, who has occasionally performed in his sister's band, was also reported to have sworn at audience members during a show in the days leading up to his dismissal.