www.dollymania.net News April 19, 2018
Today's Dolly Parton news
John Tribute Debuts On Charts
The tribute album Restoration: Reimagining The Songs Of Elton John And Bernie Taupin, featuring Dolly and Rhonda Vincent on "Please," debuts on the April 21 Billboard charts, it was announced Tuesday. The CD starts at No. 36 pop and No. 4 country.
'This American Life' Covers Dolly
NPR program This American Life recently commissioned Merrill Garbus of Tune-Yards to arrange and record a new version of Dolly's "9 to 5" for a segment on the show. Download the track
here.
'The Voice' Does As Well
That's not the only recent cover of the song, as The Voice contestant Pryor Baird tried his hand at the tune this week. He changed several lyrics slightly so that they often no longer rhymed or made much sense. Watch the performance here.
Cobain Gets Dolly Tat
Frances Bean Cobain, daughter of Kurt Cobain, this week visited Valentine's Tattoo in Seattle to have a Dolly tattoo from her legendary Playboy cover inked on her back. See it here.
Enter To Win Dolly Book
Don't forget to enter for one of two free copies of the new book What Would Dolly Do? by e-mailing your name and mailing address here through 11:59 p.m. Eastern Friday. Limit one entry per person. Winners announced here next Sunday night. (The link is a direct e-mail link, so if your device does not have an email program installed or your privacy settings prohibit an email link from automatically opening up a new email message for you, then it will appear to not be working. You may still enter by manually opening up your email and sending your name and address to duanegordon2000@yahoo.com.)
First created as "Duane's Dolly Pages" in 1996, and becoming Dollymania in 1998, this is the oldest continually operating Internet site dedicated to Dolly Parton and the ONLY regularly-updated resource about her available anywhere in the world!
Past news
April 16:
New Dolly Bio, Quote Book Coming (Win One!)
Grand Central Publishing has announced the publication next week of a new book about Dolly described as "part biography, part inspiration, part words of wisdom and life lessons." What Would Dolly Do? by Lauren Marino comes out April 24. The book summary states: "A spirited homage to Dolly Parton that captures the unique humor, no-nonsense wisdom, flash, and sass of one of America's most iconic stars." Order your copy here or e-mail your name and mailing address here through 11:59 p.m. Eastern Friday for a chance at winning one of two free copies courtesy Grand Central Publishing. (Winners announced here next Sunday night.)
New 'Straight Talk' Blu-Ray Out Tuesday
Don't forget the "special edition" re-release of Dolly's 1992 film Straight Talk hits stores on Tuesday. The new version will be available both on Blu-Ray and DVD and feature audio commentary by director Barnet Kellman as well as the original theatrical trailer. The movie was previously released on Blu-Ray, but without any special features, in 2011. The new release will also for the first time feature the original film artwork from the theatrical run for the cover art of the disc case. Get your copy from Amazon here!
Taupin Talks Vincent, Dolly
Bluegrass Today on Friday chatted with Bernie Taupin about his friendship wth Rhonda Vincent, love of bluegrass, and the choice to have Rhonda and Dolly cover "Please" for Restoration: Reimagining The Songs Of Elton John And Bernie Taupin. Read the piece here.
Overseas Chart Updates
The Complete Trio Collection Deluxe holds steady on the British country compilation albums chart in its 83rd chart week at No. 14, it was announced Friday. On the same tally, Emmylou Harris's Original Album Series: Volume 1 (with two Dolly covers, one track with Dolly harmony and one track with Trio harmony by Dolly and Linda Ronstadt) gains two to No. 7 as Ronstadt's Original Album Series (featuring one Dolly cover and one track with Dolly harmony) falls two to No. 15 and Harris's Original Album Series, Volume 2 (featuring one track with Dolly harmony and two tracks with Trio harmony by Dolly and Linda Ronstadt) rises seven to No. 12.
April 10:
LA Press Club Honors Dolly
The Los Angeles Press Club announced Monday that Dolly has been selected as its 2018 Bill Rosendahl Public Service Awardee for Contributions to Civic Life in recognition of her Imagination Library. "I am proud to receive the Bill Rosendahl Public Service Award for Contributions to Civic Life in the honor of the millions of children who are reading these books around the world, making them wiser, wittier and preparing them for a happy and productive future," Dolly said in a press release. Press Club President Chris Palmeri added: "Dolly is one of the world's greatest performers but her talent goes beyond singing and songwriting. As she has proven in her long career she is someone who really cares for children. And she has a special place in her heart for working class Americans." Dolly will accept the award at the 60th SoCal Journalism Awards Gala on June 24 at the Biltmore Millennium Hotel in downtown Los Angeles. Tickets are available here.
Night Of 1,000 Dollys Returns May 5
Knoxville's Club XYZ has announced that it will host the unofficial Night Of 1,000 Dollys fan party for the ninth year on May 5. Along with hostess Raz and two of the regular cast members, the Dolly impersonation tribute show will feature Trixie Lynn, Miss XYZ 2017, and local impersonator CJ Morgan. The raffle for Dollywood season passes to benefit Dolly's Imagination Library returns, as does the midnight Best Dolly Contest. Check out this year's poster below.
April 9:
Remastered Trio Project 'Ballad Of Sally Rose' Coming
Emmylou Harris' 1985 concept album Ballad Of Sally Rose , which contains harmony vocals throughout from Dolly and Linda Ronstadt but was completely missing from 2016's The Complete Trio Collection Deluxe, will get a completely remastered re-issue on CD and digital download June 1 expanded into a two-CD set containing Harris' demo recordings of 10 of the tracks as bonus cuts. A double-LP version will be available at independent record stores May 19. Reserve your CD here!
Elton John Tribute Hits Stores
Restoration: Reimagining The Songs Of Elton John And Bernie Taupin, featuring Dolly and Rhonda Vincent on "Please," came out Friday and has received mixed reviews, although critics – such as from American Songwriter here -- agree Dolly's track is one of the best on the CD. Get yours here!
Library Documentary Update
The University of Tennessee students working on a documentary film about Dolly's Imagination Library were profiled last week by The Knoxville News Sentinel here.
Dolly Talks To Cam On 'GMA'
Good Morning America packed a surprise last week for Cam by taping Dolly praising her "Jolene" answer song "Diane." Watch it here.
Minogue Talks Dolly Meeting
Aussie superstar Kylie Minogue, who based her new CD on the idea of Dolly doing dance music, talked with The Huffington Post about seeing Dolly in concert for the first time on her last tour and meeting her backstage. Read the story here.
Dollywood Moves To Next Festival
Dollywood on Monday concludes this season's Festival of Nations and readies the Spring Mix music series, which kicks off Wednesday and goes through April 29. Amy Grant, who performs at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. next Wednesday, April 18, spoke about the festival with The Knoxville News Sentinel here.
Kenny Cuts Tour Due To Health
Longtime Dolly duet partner Kenny Rogers last week announced the cancellation of the final three months of his farewell tour plus an August date at a festival in the U.K. Health concerns and doctor's orders were cited as the reason. Learn more from USA Today here.
TMZ Sees Dolly Dine With A Beatle
Dolly and former Beatle Paul McCartney went out to dinner Thursday night with Linda Perry, who is producing Dolly's soundtrack for the Dumplin' movie. TMZ caught them leaving here.
Drag Queen Fictionalized Dolly-Judy Affair
RuPaul's All-Stars winner Trixie Mattel, who sings folk and country music, revealed to AV Club that the track "Red Side Of the Moon" from her new album, One Stone, (the cover art of which appeared to be a combination of Dolly's Sings My Favorite Songwriter: Porter Wagoner and Porter & Dolly's Two Of A Kind) was based on the imagined affair between Dolly and her life-long best friend Judy Ogle. Read the interview here and hear the track here.
Overseas Chart Updates
The Complete Trio Collection Deluxe loses one on the British country compilation albums chart in its 82nd chart week at No. 14, it was announced Friday. On the same tally, Emmylou Harris's Original Album Series: Volume 1 (with two Dolly covers, one track with Dolly harmony and one track with Trio harmony by Dolly and Linda Ronstadt) drops two to No. 9 as Ronstadt's Original Album Series (featuring one Dolly cover and one track with Dolly harmony) slips three to No. 13 and Harris's Original Album Series, Volume 2 (featuring one track with Dolly harmony and two tracks with Trio harmony by Dolly and Linda Ronstadt) dips one to No. 19.
April 2:
Dolly, 'Jesus Calling' Promoted By Kroger
Dolly has entered into a partnership with publisher Thomas Nelson and Kroger to promote her new children's CD I Believe In You throughout the Southeast. The agreement placed special displays starting March 19 in 400 Kroger stores in Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas, Missouri, Kentucky, South Carolina, Georgia, Indiana, Illinois, and Alabama to promote her CD and the devotional book Jesus Calling and a discount coupon for the pair. The partnership will be advertised in key markets on HGTV, Hallmark, and TV Land; streaming radio advertising; and social media such as Dolly's Facebook post here or above. In a press release, Dolly said: "It's important for families to read, pray, and sing together. Jesus Calling and I Believe in You can bring families closer together."
Opry Gets New Dolly Mural
Nashville's Grand Ole Opry recently premiered a new wall mural of Dolly, a member since 1969. Watch it being painted here.
Elton John Tribute With Dolly Out Friday
Don't forget the Elton John country tribute CD Restoration: Reimagining The Songs Of Elton John And Bernie Taupin featuring the Dolly and Rhonda Vincent duet on "Please" comes out Friday. Reserve your copy here!
Overseas Chart Updates
The Complete Trio Collection Deluxe holds steady on the British country compilation albums chart in its 81st chart week at No. 13, it was announced Friday. On the same tally, Emmylou Harris's Original Album Series: Volume 1 (with two Dolly covers, one track with Dolly harmony and one track with Trio harmony by Dolly and Linda Ronstadt) stays at No. 7 as Ronstadt's Original Album Series (featuring one Dolly cover and one track with Dolly harmony) gains four to No. 10 and Harris's Original Album Series, Volume 2 (featuring one track with Dolly harmony and two tracks with Trio harmony by Dolly and Linda Ronstadt) loses one to No. 18.
Billboard: Dolly's 'He's Alive' Definitive Easter Song
Billboard recognized Easter with the holiday's best songs, leading with Dolly's version of "He's Alive," calling it the "definitive" version of the often-covered telling of the resurrection from the point of view of Peter. Check out the full list here.
Minogue Covers 'Islands'
At a recent concert, Kylie Minogue, whose new dance album she said was inspired by Dolly, covered Dolly's hit "Islands In The Stream." Watch the performance via Billboard here.
Shelley Covers 'Bridge'
Singer-songwriter Joan Shelley has partnered with Bonnie "Prince" Billy to cover Dolly's early classic "The Bridge" Rolling Stone reported. Listen here.
Brief Hiatus Ends
Sorry for the lack of updates the past two weeks. Your webmaster was out of town for a little while but is back now!
March 19:
Dolly Opens Park, Will Return For May Appearance
Dolly was on hand this weekend to open the 33rd season of her Dollywood theme park and celebrate the year's focus on entertainment called the "Season of Showstoppers." She announced during a media event Friday -- that was also open to season passholders – that she would return for on-park appearances this May during the weekend she traditionally held her parade through Pigeon Forge, even though she will not be in that parade this year. She also teased next year's much-talked-about expansion, joking with Dollywood President Craig Ross that she wasn't supposed to have mentioned it, but adding it is part of their plan to becoming the most-attended park in the Southeast and as she put it "Give Disney a run for their money!"Dolly also discussed the upcoming sequel to 9 To 5 and her work on the Dumplin' film soundtrack as well as noting she hopes to work on a couple of additional TV movies this year and possibly a series. At the ceremony, Dolly also performed Cat Stevens' "Peace Train" live with Ladysmith Black Mambazo, with whom she had recorded the song in 1996. (Watch video of the ceremony in the media player above or here thanks to Knoxville's WBIR.) Later in the day, she donned a blonde dreadlock wig to perform the song with the South African a capella group again at their own show and also took in a park tour dressed in a French costume. On Saturday she popped in for The Flamenco Kings' show and sang "Peace Train" again with Ladysmith Black Mambazo in addition to another park tour in another French outfit. She conducted several interviews including with Atlanta's FOX affiliate here, NBC affiliate here, AL.com here, FOX & Friends here, and Knoxville's WBIRhere (where she noted the "Jolene" TV movie is delayed because she was not satisfied with the script). Other coverage included The Knoxville News-Sentinel here, Billboard here, and Knoxville's WATE here
Dolly Pays Tribute To Elton John
Dolly and Rhonda Vincent have recorded a duet of Elton John's "Please," a track from his 1995 album Made In England, for a tribute album to the Rocketman coming out next month, it was announced last week. Restoration: Reimagining The Songs Of Elton John And Bernie Taupin comes out April 6 on MCA Nashville and features country artists covering the songwriting duo's songs (a separate tribute CD also comes out the same day featuring mostly pop performers on different John/Taupin songs). Reserve your copy of Restoration here!
Overseas Chart Updates
The Complete Trio Collection Deluxe loses two on the British country compilation albums chart in its 79th chart week to No. 14, it was announced Friday. On the same tally, Emmylou Harris's Original Album Series: Volume 1 (with two Dolly covers, one track with Dolly harmony and one track with Trio harmony by Dolly and Linda Ronstadt) slips one to No. 9 as Ronstadt's Original Album Series (featuring one Dolly cover and one track with Dolly harmony) loses one to No. 15 and Harris's Original Album Series, Volume 2 (featuring one track with Dolly harmony and two tracks with Trio harmony by Dolly and Linda Ronstadt) gains one to No. 16.
'Jolene' As You've Never Heard The Song Before
A very modern take on Dolly's "Jolene" by a contestant on The Voice UK had fans talking over the weekend. Check it out from Metro here.
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