Parton Estate Manager Seeks To Drop Lawsuit Against Nephew

Danny Nozzle moved to drop a legal complaint against Dolly Parton’s nephew on Thursday.

The proposed dismissal brings an end to a dispute between the late singer’s estate manager and Bryan Seaver. Seaver served as Parton’s head of security. The conflict began while Parton was battling cancer and became public in the weeks following her death on Aug. 25.

Nozell, who manages the entity She’s Alive, initially sought to protect Parton’s estate. In September, he secured a temporary restraining order against Seaver and his company, Squadron Augmented Protection Services. Nozell wanted the court to make that order permanent. A brief filing in a Tennessee court on Thursday stated that a proposed order was being drafted to dismiss the case without prejudice. This allows the complaint to be refiled in the future. A filing from the day before noted that the two sides reached an agreement, though it did not provide details on the terms.

The legal fight was set to move to a public hearing on Tuesday. The two sides were scheduled to argue over the proposed permanent injunction. The Associated Press sent emails seeking comment from lawyers representing She’s Alive, Seaver, and his company.

She’s Alive terminated Seaver and his security firm in early September. The following week, the estate petitioned for the restraining order. The petition argued that Seaver’s conduct made it untenable to keep him on staff. It alleged that starting before Parton’s death and continuing after, Seaver threatened the estate’s personnel, counsel, and business partners. The documents stated he vowed to destroy the entire brand. The petition also noted that Seaver described himself as an international arms dealer and mercenary. He told others they needed to be worried about what he might do.

Chancellor I’Ashea L. Myles granted the temporary order. She cited Seaver’s claimed access to weapons, experience with violence, and intention to retaliate. Seaver, whom Parton handpicked to announce her death, said in court filings that he considered Nozell a close friend before the restraining order was issued. In an affidavit, Seaver argued that the text messages used as evidence were a private conversation between two friends who were frustrated and grieving. He stated he never threatened physical harm to Nozell, any She’s Alive employee, contractor, attorney, advisor, or business partner. He added that he has no intention of doing so.

Seaver said the crude text messages related to a separate dispute with Herschend Family Entertainment. That company operates Dollywood and Parton’s Songteller Hotel. Seaver claimed the company failed to pay his security outfit more than $250,000 for completed work. Under the current restraining order, Seaver and his company must stay out of She’s Alive property. They also must remain at least 1,000 feet away from She’s Alive employees and business partners. Seaver argued that the order is too broad because Parton’s business reach is extensive. He stated that much of Nashville and even his own relatives are off limits to him under these terms.

Parton was a country music icon and philanthropist who rose to fame from a log cabin in the Tennessee mountains. Her songs include Jolene, Coat of Many Colors, 9 to 5, and I Will Always Love You. She left behind a business empire based in her hometown that employed many friends and family members.