Dolly Parton's nephew and former head of security, Bryan Seaver, has filed a court response denying allegations that he threatened to harm the country music legend's estate and legacy. The filings come in opposition to a temporary restraining order obtained by Parton's longtime manager, Danny Nozell.
Seaver, in an affidavit filed Tuesday, characterized text messages that Nozell submitted as evidence as a "private conversation between two friends who were both frustrated, grieving and discussing strategy." These messages were exchanged shortly before and after Parton's death on August 25.
He asserts that he never sent threatening messages to any of Parton's businesses, business partners, or their employees. This is Seaver's first public defense since a rift emerged in Parton's inner circle following her death, positioning him and Nozell on opposing sides.
According to Seaver's filing, Nozell did not react negatively to the text messages at the time, even agreeing with or positively responding to some of them. Seaver claims Nozell encouraged him to promote the military and arms aspect of his security company, Squadron Augmented Protection Services (SAPS), as a business strategy, only to later use these communications as evidence of Seaver's capacity for violence.
She's Alive, an entity managed by Nozell and established to protect Parton's estate, terminated Seaver and SAPS in early September. The following week, the entity petitioned for the restraining order, citing Seaver's "terrorizing conduct" as making their continued employment untenable. The temporary order, granted by Chancellor I’Ashea L. Myles, cited Seaver's "claimed access to weapons, experience with violence, and intention to retaliate."
A hearing is scheduled for October 20, where both sides will present their cases to Myles. Emails seeking comment were sent to legal representatives for She's Alive and Nozell.
Seaver stated he was surprised by the restraining order, as he was working on a security contract in Haiti when it was granted. The order prohibits Seaver from entering She's Alive property and from contacting or approaching within 1,000 feet of its employees and business partners. It also aims to prevent interference with business relationships.
Seaver argued that the order's broad scope, combined with the extensive reach of Parton's businesses, effectively restricts him from many areas, including parts of Nashville and interactions with his own relatives.
One text message from September 1, cited by She's Alive, read: "I’m going to set up a podcast dedicated to ruining Dolly’s brand partnerships and telling the violations these people have done on us. It’s going to be great. Or f——— pay me." Seaver explained this message stemmed from anger over more than $250,000 owed to his company for completed work by Herschend Family Entertainment, which operates Dollywood and the Songteller Hotel.
He acknowledged his language was crude and profane but denied menacing or intimidating HFE employees. Seaver also included a 2024 letter from Parton praising his company as an exhibit. Parton had reportedly selected Seaver to announce her death when she succumbed to cancer.
Parton, a celebrated country music icon, songwriter, and philanthropist, penned hundreds of songs, including hits like "Jolene," "Coat of Many Colors," and "I Will Always Love You." Her music has achieved over 100 million in worldwide sales and more than a billion online streams.