Bryan Seaver fights Nashville restraining order filed by Dolly Parton estate
Bryan Seaver filed a Tennessee court motion Tuesday against a restraining order targeting him. The move challenges claims by Dolly Parton’s estate manager that Seaver threatened violence against her business empire. Seaver previously served as Parton’s head of security.
Parton’s longtime manager Danny Nozell took out the temporary protective order. Seaver denied the allegations in a new affidavit. He stated the cited text messages were a “private conversation between two friends who were both frustrated, grieving and discussing strategy.”
The messages occurred around Parton’s Aug. 25 death. Seaver said he never sent threatening notes to Parton’s firms, partners or staff. This marks his first public response to the dispute.
Seaver stated Nozell did not show alarm at the messages when received. According to Seaver, Nozell reacted positively to some texts. Seaver also said Nozell urged him to promote the arms division of Squadron Augmented Protection Services.
Nozell later cited that military background as evidence of danger, Seaver said. She’s Alive, an entity managed by Nozell, fired Seaver and SAPS in early September. The group sought the court order the following week.
The estate petition claimed Seaver exhibited “terrorizing conduct.” Chancellor I’Ashea L. Myles approved the temporary order in court. Myles cited Seaver’s “claimed access to weapons, experience with violence, and intention to retaliate.”
Both parties will present arguments to Myles at an Oct. 20 hearing. Seaver said the initial ruling blindsided him during security work in Haiti.
The order bans Seaver and SAPS from She’s Alive properties. They cannot go within 1,000 feet of She’s Alive staff and partners. Seaver argued the broad rules place much of Nashville off limits.
She’s Alive cited a Sept. 1 message from Seaver about launching a podcast. Seaver wrote: “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 stated the demand concerned unpaid invoices exceeding $250,000. He said Herschend Family Entertainment owed SAPS for completed work. Herschend runs Dollywood and the Songteller Hotel.
Seaver admitted to crude language in messages with Nozell. He denied accusations that he menaced or intimidated any Herschend workers. His filing included a 2024 praise letter from Parton.
Parton died following cancer. She wrote famous songs like “Jolene” and sold over 100 million records. Her music generated over 1 billion online streams.
Tennessee chancery courts handle civil disputes involving injunctions, contracts and estate administration. A temporary restraining order preserves existing conditions until judges hold full evidentiary hearings. Nashville civil dockets require formal hearings before emergency restrictions turn into permanent orders.
Attorneys for She’s Alive and Nozell received email requests for comment. Neither party provided an immediate response.
