Dolly Parton's Nephew Claims Threats Misinterpreted Amid Legal Battle
WHO:
TMZ - Dolly Parton's nephew, Bryan Seaver, is involved in the legal battle.
Rolling Stone Music - Bryan Seaver is named in a complaint against him.
WHAT:
[10:17 PM EDT] - CBS News - Bryan Seaver stated in a court filing that he never sent threatening messages to any of Parton's businesses or business partners or their employees.
[10:17 PM EDT] - CBS News - Seaver's affidavit described the text messages cited by Danny Nozell as a "private conversation between two friends who were both frustrated, grieving and discussing strategy."
[10:17 PM EDT] - CBS News - Seaver claimed that the restraining order was granted while he was doing contract security work in Haiti.
[10:17 PM EDT] - CBS News - Seaver's court filing included a 2024 letter from Parton praising him and his company.
[10:17 PM EDT] - CBS News - Seaver acknowledged being overly crude and profane in his messages but denied having "menaced and intimidated" Herschend Family Entertainment employees.
[10:17 PM EDT] - CBS News - Seaver stated that he was owed more than $250,000 for completed work by Herschend Family Entertainment.
[10:17 PM EDT] - CBS News - The temporary restraining order requires Seaver and his private security firm to refrain from being within 1,000 feet of She's Alive employees, attorneys, and business partners.
[10:17 PM EDT] - CBS News - The hearing for the case is scheduled for Oct. 20.
TMZ - Bryan Seaver claims that the allegations of him threatening people connected to Dolly Parton's business were taken out of context.
Rolling Stone Music - Seaver is attempting to quash a restraining order related to the allegations.
WHY:
TMZ - Seaver insists that his text messages, which are cited in the complaint, were misinterpreted.
HOW:
TMZ - Seaver's defense is based on the assertion that the context of his messages was not accurately represented in the allegations.
(UPDATED October 14, 2026 03:01 UTC)
In a recent court filing, Bryan Seaver stated that he never sent threatening messages to any of Dolly Parton's businesses or their employees, describing the text messages cited by Danny Nozell as a "private conversation between two friends." Seaver acknowledged that he may have been overly crude in his messages but denied any intent to menace or intimidate employees of Herschend Family Entertainment, while also claiming he is owed more than $250,000 for completed work. A temporary restraining order has been issued, requiring Seaver and his private security firm to stay at least 1,000 feet away from She's Alive employees and a hearing for the case is set for October 20.
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(UPDATED October 14, 2026 00:01 UTC)
Bryan Seaver, Dolly Parton's nephew, is currently embroiled in a legal battle as he faces a complaint against him. He claims that allegations of threatening individuals connected to Parton's business have been taken out of context and is seeking to quash a restraining order related to these claims. Seaver insists that the text messages cited in the complaint were misinterpreted, and his defense hinges on the assertion that the context of those messages was not accurately represented.