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The company overseeing Dolly Parton's business interests sued her nephew and longtime head of security Bryan Seaver on Tuesday, accusing him of mounting a "campaign of threats, intimidation, and coercion" that included a "pay-me-or-else threat."

• Seaver said his comments had been presented out of context and dismissed the suit as a "publicity stunt" in a statement to ABC News yesterday, adding that he "never threatened anyone."

Why it matters: The lawsuit offers a dramatic glimpse at an internal struggle between the people and businesses entrusted with Parton's professional legacy and the family member she hand-picked to announce the news of her death.

Driving the news: The company created to manage Parton's business interests — She's Alive, LLC — sued Seaver in Davidson County Chancery Court.

• The company, which is overseen by Parton's longtime manager, Danny Nozell, is also asking a judge for a restraining order that would require Seaver to stay at least 1,000 feet from its employees and associates.

The latest: Chancellor I'Ashea L. Myles yesterday granted a temporary restraining order while the legal battle plays out, writing that the evidence showed Seaver had "repeatedly invoked his claimed access to weapons, experience with violence, and intention to retaliate."

Zoom in: The filings include screenshots of alleged text messages between Seaver and Nozell. The suit claims that Seaver said he would "destroy the entire brand" and go after business partnerships tied to Dollywood.

• The complaint alleges that Seaver threatened to launch a podcast "dedicated to ruining Dolly's brand partnerships," adding: "Or f—g pay me."
• Seaver also allegedly referenced experience as a military contractor and his access to weapons, at one point allegedly describing himself as an "international arms dealer and mercenary."
• In a Sept. 3 email to Parton's entertainment attorney, Seaver allegedly wrote, "I'm not an entertainment person. I'm a killer."

The other side: Seaver downplayed his comments in a statement to TMZ, saying "nothing in this lawsuit were threats and most of the comments I stand by."

• "A lot of these messages are two guys having rage talk and crying on the phone together while we were grieving," Seaver said.
• He said the remark about attacking business entities referred to a particular company he believed had mistreated Parton.

Between the lines: Seaver's mother is Parton's sister Cassie. He managed security for Parton and her personal properties through his company, Squadron Augmented Protection Services, until he was terminated by She's Alive on Sept. 16 due to what the suit describes as "terrorizing conduct."

• "Ms. Parton loved and cared for her family very deeply," the lawsuit says. "Throughout her life and career, it was important to her to employ her family members when they had skill sets compatible with her business needs."
• Seaver's father previously handled Parton's security.

Parton's other relatives had not publicly mentioned any estate disputes before the court filing. In a social media post yesterday, Parton's sister Freida said no one within the family "is fighting over Dolly's estate."

• "We all love Bryan, just as we love each other," she said.

State of play: She's Alive claims Seaver's comments have already affected the business. The suit says an attorney tied to Parton's estate has withdrawn and other employees have resigned or stopped coming to the office.

• The company says it fired Seaver earlier this month and hired private security to protect personnel.

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Against the backdrop of a troublesome time for the craft beer industry, Nashville-based Jackalope Brewing Company turned in excellent sales numbers in recent months.

Why it matters: Jackalope's surge offers a bright light on the heels of closures and declining sales.

By the numbers: According to new Nielsen retail data provided by the brewery, Jackalope beer sales grew 17.1% for the 26 weeks ending on Aug. 8.

• Its volume sales increased by 11.5%.
• By comparison, Nashville's overall craft beer and cider market declined by 1.5% in dollars and 3.8% in volume.

Catch up quick: Jackalope launched in 2011. Steve Barone, an entrepreneur who owns a hospitality company called Pikeld Concepts with several bars under its umbrella, bought the brewery in 2024.

• Jackalope acquired fellow independent brewery Black Abbey earlier this year.

What he's saying: "Nashville is home. The plan has always been to get really good at what we do in one market — the beer, the people, the operating model, all of it — and then take that across Tennessee and eventually into neighboring states," Barone said in a statement. "This data tells us the first part is working."

Zoom out: Nashville, like other beer markets, saw a string of mergers and acquisitions in recent years. Knoxville-based Xul acquired Southern Grist.

• Memphis's Wiseacre joined forces with Bearded Iris.

The intrigue: The company says focusing on two popular styles among craft beer fans fueled the success.

• "We weren't participating in light lagers and IPAs — we were really just dipping our toes in the market — but now we are," Steve Wright, Jackalope's chief revenue officer, tells Axios.

If you go: Jackalope is located at 429B Houston Street in the Wedgewood-Houston neighborhood.

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💲 The Nashville Symphony says it lacks the money to sustain its current operations. (Nashville Business Journal, subscription)

⚖️ Immigrant advocates sued in federal court to seek an immediate halt to the partnership between the Tennessee Highway Patrol and ICE. (Tennessee Lookout)

🥩 Noko Yaki, an ambitious steakhouse located on West End, is finally opening after being in the works for years. (Tennessean)

Loveless Cafe, Nashville's timeless southern food institution, turns 75 this year.

Stunning stat: The venerable restaurant makes makes 10,000 biscuits by hand each day.

Read the Tennessean's story about the Loveless.

Our picks:

Nate's song of the day is "Who's That" by the War on Drugs.

Adam is anxiously awaiting the next installment of the New York Times' top TV shows of the 21st century.

This newsletter was edited by Jen Burkett.