April 30: VA Channel Talks To Dolly An interview with Dolly from Dollywood opening weekend aired on Roanoke, Va., station WSLS last week. Watch it here.
'US Magazine' Focuses On Country Legends A special edition of US Magazine focused on the Legends of Country Music – including Dolly – is on newsstands now. Learn more here.
Leverett Recalls Dolly Photo Shoot Famed Opry photographer Les Leverett, who shot most of Dolly's early-to-mid-1970s album covers, recently chatted with The Tennessean about his work with her and Porter Wagoner. Watch the video here.
'WWDD' Author Visits New Orelans Lauren Marino, the author of What Would Dolly Do? , will be in New Orleans' Garden District Bookshop Wednesday for a 6 p.m. discussion and signing of her book, The Advocate reported here.
Overseas Chart Updates Restoration: Reimagining The Songs Of Elton John And Bernie Taupin, featuring Dolly and Rhonda Vincent on "Please," loses two on the Australian country albums chart in its second chart week to come in at No. 12, it was announced Sunday. Also overseas, The Complete Trio Collection Deluxe dips three on the British country compilation albums chart in its 85th chart week to No. 20, 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) loses one to No. 12 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) falls off the top 20, down from No. 12.
April 26: Aretha, Dolly America's Favorite Female Artists Dolly is the second-most-popular female music artist in the United States, according to a new survey by YouGov.com here. Dolly garnered a 67 percent positive rating, just one point behind No. 1 Aretha Franklin at 68 percent and one point above No. 3 Tina Turner at 66 percent. Rounding out the top 10 were Adele at 64 percent, Whitney Houston and Diana Ross at 63 percent, Carrie Underwood and Reba at 60 percent, and Natalie Cole and Alicia Keys at 58 percent.
John Tribute Chart Update, 'Believe' Sales Update The tribute album Restoration: Reimagining The Songs Of Elton John And Bernie Taupin, featuring Dolly and Rhonda Vincent on "Please," remains relatively high on the April 28 Billboard charts, it was announced Tuesday. The CD spends its second week losing 10 places to No. 14 country and 59 points to No. 95 pop. In other news, while it has yet to re-enter the charts, updated Soundscan data show Dolly's I Believe In You earlier this month passed the 25,000-copies-sold milestone. Two weeks ago, the 600 units it moved pushed total sales since release to 25,500.
New Book Gets Noticed Bustle magazine gave a very positive review to the new book What Would Dolly Do? that came out this week. Check it out here.
April 23: My People's Fund Examined
Public affairs show In The Mesh on Friday released a video report on the success of Dolly's My People's Fund for wildfire relief and how it shows the potential impact of a universal basic income. Watch the report here or in the media player above.
U.K., Aussie Chart Updates Restoration: Reimagining The Songs Of Elton John And Bernie Taupin, featuring Dolly and Rhonda Vincent on "Please," debuts on the Australian country albums chart at No. 10, it was announced Sunday. Also overseas, The Complete Trio Collection Deluxe falls three on the British country compilation albums chart in its 84th chart week to No. 17, 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) holds steady at No. 7 as Ronstadt's Original Album Series (featuring one Dolly cover and one track with Dolly harmony) gains four to No. 11 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) holds steady at No. 12.
Potts Based Character On Dolly Actress Annie Potts told Gold Derby that she based her character of Mee-Maw in Young Sheldon on Dolly's appearance in Steel Magnolias. Watch the interview here.
Congratulations To Book Contest Winners Congratulations to the winners of our contest for a free copy of the new book What Would Dolly Do? courtesy Grand Central Publishing: Holly Ulibarri of Thornton, Colo., and Rick Beaty of Nashville.
April 19: 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.)
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 Sentinelhere.
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 Sentinelhere.
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.
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 Billboardhere.
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!
