May 30: Dolly Musical From Bruce Vilanch Premiering
Delaware Theatre Company has announced it will host the world premiere of a new musical, Here You Come Again, focusing on a dozen Dolly songs and written by Emmy-winning comedy writer Bruce Vilanch (who wrote for Dolly's 1987 variety show), Gabriel Barre and Tricia Paoluccio. The show will run there Sept. 14 through Oct. 2. The show focuses on a "has-been-who-never-was stand up comic quarantined in his parents' attic during the early days of the pandemic and his intimate relationship with his imaginary friend, Dolly Parton. Featuring all the Dolly songs you love and a peerless performance by Tricia Paoluccio with a live band. It's a wacky and touching love letter to Dolly, who has always had some profound and funny things to say to us about life, love, sex and how to handle all of them." Check out a clip of the actress singing the title track here or in the media player above.
U.S., U.K., 'New York Times' Chart Updates The book Run, Rose, Run by Dolly and James Patterson loses two places to No. 6 on Friday's New York Times Bestseller List for hardcover fiction in its 11th week of release, falling off the top 15 combined hardcover and e-book fiction chart, down from No. 12 in its 10th week. Dolly's Run, Rose, Run sold about 1,500 copies in its 11th week, chart performance indicated, as it falls off the May 28 Billboard top 100 overall album sales chart, down from No. 83, and dips 26 spots to No. 77 current album sales while retaining its No. 1 spot on the bluegrass albums chart for a 10th nonconsecutive week. Overseas, Run, Rose, Run inches down one each to No. 24 Americana albums and No. 6 British country albums. Very Best Of Dolly Parton Vol. 1 falls out of the top 20 U.K. country compilation albums, down from No. 14, while The Complete Trio Collection Deluxe declines one to No. 5, and Emmylou Harris's Original Album Series: Volume 1 shoots up 10 spots to No. 1, and Harris' Original Album Series: Volume 2 (featuring one track with Dolly harmony and two tracks with Trio harmony by Dolly and Linda Ronstadt) re-enters the top 20 at No. 4.
John Oliver Praises Dolly Last Week Tonight host John Oliver recently paid a compliment to Dolly while attacking Pennsylvania Republican gubernatorial nominee Doug Mastriano on his HBO program. In his take-down of the Trump-endorsed candidate who participated in and supported the Jan. 6 attempted coup at the U.S. Capitol to overturn the legitimate American election, he noted that he had chosen someone to appoint to the state's Secretary of State role if elected who is a "world-class person," to which Oliver countered that "the only truly world-class people on the planet are Dolly Parton and, end of list."
Taco Bell Musical Delayed Taco Bell last week announced that in light of the national grief due to the tragic mass murder of 19 fourth graders in Texas, the restaurant felt it was inappropriate to debut its Mexican Pizza: The Musical featuring Dolly and Doja Cat on TikTok at this time, so it will be postponed to a later date instead of last Thursday's planned premiere so that it may be presented "complete with the joy and celebratory spirit in which it was originally created." Responses to the Tweet making the announcement showed many fans misunderstood and thought it meant the restaurant was changing its mind on adding the item to its menu. (It was actually added a few days earlier and quickly sold out at many locations due to unexpected high demand, although restaurants that aren't sold out are continuing to sell it.)
May 23: Dolly Honors Dan Rather With Peabody Award
Dolly last week presented journalist Dan Rather with the Peabody Career Achievement Award for his lifetime of service to the American people in pursuit of the truth. Watch her introduction to him and his acceptance speech here or in the media player above.
'New York Times,' US, UK Chart Updates The book Run, Rose, Run by Dolly and James Patterson slips one spot to No. 4 on Friday's New York Times Bestseller List for hardcover fiction in its 10th week of release, also down two to No. 12 combined hardcover and e-book fiction chart. Dolly's Run, Rose, Run sold about 2,000 copies in its 10th week, chart performance indicated, meaning it should be approaching about 50,000 units sold in the United States, as the May 21 Billboard top 100 overall album sales chart sees it fall 18 places to No. 83 and 18 spots to No. 51 current album sales while retaining its No. 1 spot on the bluegrass albums chart for a ninth nonconsecutive week. Ultimate Dolly Parton falls back off the top 50 country albums chart, down from No. 47. Overseas, Run, Rose, Run drops nine to No. 23 Americana albums and holds steady at No. 5 British country albums. Very Best Of Dolly Parton Vol. 1 tumbles seven to No. 14 U.K. country compilation albums, where The Complete Trio Collection Deluxe inches down one to No. 4, and Emmylou Harris's Original Album Series: Volume 1 inches down one to No. 11.
Dolly Praises Return Of Mexican Pizza At Taco Bell Dolly continued to celebrate the return of Taco Bell's Mexican Pizza to its menu last week, sharing a photo with the item to social media and sharing to InstaGram here and in the media player below video of her eating one and saying it was worth the wait. Her appearance in the TikTok musical to promote the pizza is scheduled to premiere on Thursday.
May 17: Dolly's NBC Holiday Film Details Announced Although Dolly revealed the basic plot of her upcoming holiday film for NBC back in March, the network on Monday officially announced the project, which is called Dolly Parton's Mountain Magic Christmas. Dolly had previously said the film would show many behind-the-scenes details of making a television special and be taped at Dollywood but she hadn't explained that the scenes would be scripted and fictional, similar to the holiday classic Scrooged. The official description reads: "Dolly Parton's Mountain Magic Christmas is the frenetic backstage story and delightful on-camera results of Dolly's desire to uplift an exhausted world's spirits by sharing the unique 'mountain magic' she has always found in and around Dollywood at Christmas. Throughout the movie's production numbers and rehearsal chaos, Dolly finds herself taking a private journey into her past, guided by the mysterious appearances of her personal Three Wise Men. When it's time for her big special to air live, a renewed and inspired Dolly goes rogue and shows the world that the real magic of Christmas lies in the hearts of the children we all once were, the realization that Christmas is about the people we share it with, and how her faith remains the common thread between Christmases past, present, and future." Dolly and partner Sam Haskell will executive produce the film through his Magnolia Hill Productions and her Sandollar Production, just as they have done their recent projects together.
'Run, Rose, Run' Book, Album Chart Updates The book Run, Rose, Run by Dolly and James Patterson slips one spot to No. 3 on Friday's New York Times Bestseller List for hardcover fiction in its ninth week of release, also down one to No. 10 combined hardcover and e-book fiction chart. Overseas, Run, Rose, Run gains three to No. 14 Americana albums and dips one to No. 5 British country albums. Very Best Of Dolly Parton Vol. 1 falls back off the top 100 British streaming albums, down from No. 97, and inches up one to No. 7 U.K. country compilation albums, where The Complete Trio Collection Deluxe falls one to No. 3, The Essential Dolly Parton falls back out of the top 20, down from No. 19, and Emmylou Harris's Original Album Series: Volume 1 re-enters the top 20 at No. 10.
Dollywood Named Best U.S. Theme Park Congratulations to Dollywood, which on Monday was named the nation's top theme park by the National Amusement Park Historical Association, earning its Favorite Theme Park of 2021 Award in a three-way tie with Disneyland and Busch Gardens. The park had previously won the honor in 2017.
Scent From Above Hits Perfumania Dolly last week announced her perfume Scent from Above had been added to the website Perfumania. Check out the video reveal here.
Catch 'Not' Dolly In Knoxville Legendary Dolly impersonator Vancie Vance will headline her "NOT Dolly Show" in Dolly's turf next month, playing Knoxville's Old City Performing Arts Center on Saturday, June 4, as part of Dolly Fest this year. The shows are open to all ages. Performances at 1 p.m., 3 p.m., and 5 p.m. are $15 each general admission here with a $10 meet-and-greet available. A portion of proceeds will benefit Imagination Library.
May 11: 'Rose' CD, Book, U.K. Chart Updates Dolly's Run, Rose, Run sold about 2,000 copies in its ninth week, re-entering the May 14 Billboard top 100 overall album sales chart at No. 65 and gains 47 places to No. 33 current album sales while rising one to return to the No. 1 spot on the bluegrass albums chart for an eighth nonconsecutive week. Ultimate Dolly Parton re-enters the top 50 country albums chart at No. 47. The book Run, Rose, Run by Dolly and James Patterson recovered one spot to No. 2 on Friday's New York Times Bestseller List for hardcover fiction in its eighth week of release and gains one to No. 9 combined hardcover and e-book fiction chart. The audio book version dipped one to No. 2 on the monthly audio book chart. Overseas, Very Best Of Dolly Parton Vol. 1 re-enters the top 100 British streaming albums at No. 97 and falls five to No. 8 U.K. country compilation albums. Run, Rose, Run drops four to No. 17 Americana albums and two to No. 4 country albums, while the U.K. country compilation albums chart sees The Complete Trio Collection Deluxe inch down one to No. 2 and The Essential Dolly Parton re-enters the top 20 at No. 19.
Dolly To Star In Taco Bell Musical Dolly announced Monday she would be performing in a musical commercial for Taco Bell, starring with rapper Doja Cat in Mexican Pizza: The Musical celebrating the return of the fan favorite menu item, which Dolly has praised as one of her favorite fast foods in past interviews. The online musical will premiere at 8 p.m. Eastern on May 26 via TikTok.
Spanish Newspaper Interviews Dolly A new Dolly interview appeared in the English-language version of Madrid, Spain, publication El Pais in which she discusses her political neutrality, among other things. Read it here.
'9 To 5' Documentary Reviewed By 'Variety' The documentary Still Working 9 To 5 earned a very positive review from industry bible Variety on Tuesday here.
Dolly Pays Tribute To Naomi At Funeral CMT reported here on Tuesday about Dolly's involvement in Naomi Judd's private funeral.
DreamMore Named Best Park Hotel Again USA Today last week honored Dollywood's DreamMore Resort and Spa as the No. 1 Amusement Park Hotel in the U.S. for the third time in the past five years. The park's cabins ranked sixth in the same category.
Baby 'Jolene' Locked Up At Zoo An Oregon zoo has named its baby orangutan after Dolly's song "Jolene," the Zoo announced this week. Read more here.
Philosophical Dolly Looked At And Philosophy included a brief analysis this month of Dolly and her philosophic outlook on life. Check it out here.
May 5: Dolly Elected To 2022 Rock Hall Of Fame Class
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame on Wednesday announced Dolly as a member of its Class of 2022 alongside Eminem, Duran Duran, Lionel Richie, Pat Benatar, the Eurythmics, and Carly Simon in the performers category. With four of the seven spots going to women or groups containing women, it is the most gender-diverse class in the history of the Hall of Fame, which has been criticized for sexism in not inducting enough women in the past. Dolly released a statement to social media saying: "I am honored and humbled by the fact that I have been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Of course I will accept it gracefully. Thanks to everyone that voted for me and to everyone at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. I will continue to work hard and try to live up to the honor. Love, Dolly" In addition, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis and Judas Priest will receive the Musical Excellence Award; Harry Belafonte and Elizabeth Cotten will be given the Early Influence Award; and attorney Allen Grubman, record executive/producerJimmy Iovine, and R&B singer/Sugar Hill Records founder Sylvia Robinson will be presented with the Ahmet Ertegun Award. The ceremony is scheduled Nov. 5 at the Microsoft Theatre in Los Angeles to air at a later date on HBO. Dolly gave an exclusive interview about the decision to Billboardhere saying she never meant to cause a problem by at first declining the nomination by saying she didn't consider herself a rock artist and then accepting it later after it was explained to her that the Hall of Fame includes country performers. She will become the 12th Country Music Hall of Fame member to also be a member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Reviewing the Billboard rock chart performance, Dolly falls in the middle of this year's class. On singles, she is the third most-successful inductee this year with two No. 1s, three top 10s, and 20 total chart singles on the Hot 100 Chart behind only Eminem (five No. 1s, 22 top 10s, 93 total chart singles) and Lionel Richie (five No. 1s, 13 top 10s, and 20 total chart singles). She is pretty much even or just ahead of Carly Simon (one No. 1, five top 10s, 24 total chart singles) and The Eurythmics (one No. 1, three top 10s, 15 total chart singles). Coming in at the bottom were Duran Duran (0 No. 1s, five top 10s, 18 total chart singles) and Pat Benatar (0 No. 1s, four top 10s, 17 total chart singles). On albums, she is the fourth most-successful inductee this year with no No. 1s, two top 10s, and 48 total albums on the Hot 200 Chart behind Eminem (10 No. 1s, 11 top 10s, 11 total chart albums), Duran Duran (two No. 1s, 11 top 10s, 20 total chart albums), and Lionel Richie (three No. 1s, six top 10s, 14 total chart albums). Below her are Carly Simon (one No. 1, 5 top 10, 25 total chart albums), Pat Benatar (one No. 1, three top 10s, 15 total chart albums) and The Eurythmics (0 No. 1s, two top 10s, 10 total chart albums).
May 4: Dolly To Visit Del., Ark. On Thursday
Dolly will be roaming the country Thursday with two public appearances that will livestream, her Imagination Library program announced Tuesday. At noon Eastern, she will be in Dover, Del., where Gov. John Carney, First Lady Tracey Quillen Carney, and State Librarian Dr. Annie Norman welcome her for a celebration of the program going statewide there to stream live on YouTube here and in the media player above, Facebook, and the Library website. Then she'll fly over to Little Rock, Ark., where Gov. Asa Hutchinson, the Arkansas Department of Education, and community leaders welcome her to celebrate the program there as well at 6:30 p.m. Central Time (7:30 Eastern) on YouTube here and the media player below, Facebook, and the Library website. Both appearances will include brief musical performances by Dolly, and the Arkansas one will include a live interview with Arkansas PBS THV 11's Craig O'Neill.
U.S. Chart Updates For 'Run, Rose, Run' Dolly's Run, Rose, Run sold about 2,000 copies in its eighth week, falling off the May 7 Billboard top 100 overall album sales chart, down from No. 52. The album tumbles 52 places to No. 80 current album sales and loses its pole position on the bluegrass albums chart after seven weeks, slipping one to No. 2. Ultimate Dolly Parton falls back out of the top 50 country albums chart, down from No. 46.
Dolly Presents Former Gov. With Award Dolly was in Nashville on Tuesday to present the Dolly Parton Excellence in Leadership Award to former Gov. Bill Haslam and former First Lady Crissy Haslam at the Tennessee State Museum. Check out photos from The Tennesseanhere.
Dolly Remembers Naomi Judd Dolly on Monday released a statement about the recent passing of her friend, Naomi Judd, who passed away from mental illness at age 76. She said she was shocked to hear of her death because they were the same age and very similar, both loving "big hair, makeup, and music." She also congratulated them on the Judds' Country Music Hall of Fame induction, apologizing for missing the ceremony but saying she could hear Naomi saying she was "a day late and a Dolly short." See the full statement here or below.
May 2: Dolly Says Will Accept Rock Hall If Inducted Fan voting ended Friday for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominees, and Dolly made the top five, meaning she and the other four artists in the top 5 will each earn one vote toward induction from the public vote, which will be added to about 1,200 ballots from the Hall's voting membership and the top vote-getters from that process are inducted. After ballots were issued, Dolly asked to be removed from consideration because she didn't consider herself a rock artist. However, on the last day of public voting, an interview with NPR's Morning Edition aired here with co-author James Patterson in which she said she changed her mind and if inducted would "accept gracefully." She explained she had misunderstood that the Hall of Fame was only for rock artists but she recently learned the Hall inducts members from all major genres, so she qualifies. The final vote for the top five were Duran Duran at 935,000, Eminem at 685,000, Pat Benatar at 631,000, The Eurythmics at 442,000, and Dolly at 394,000. She was 30,000 votes ahead of No. 6 Judas Priest, 60,000 above No. 7 Carly Simon, and almost 100,000 over No. 8 Lionel Richie.
'Run, Rose, Run' Still On Bestseller List Run, Rose, Run by Dolly and James Patterson lost another spot to No. 3 on Friday's New York Times Bestseller List for hardcover fiction in its seventh week of release, five of which were at No. 1. The title also lost four to No. 10 combined hardcover and e-book fiction chart.
Anderson Reveals New Dolly Duet, Old Duet June 10 Country music legend Bill Anderson announced last week he would be releasing a new career retrospective on June 10 titled As Far As I Can See: The Best Of featuring two Dolly duets. One is a new recording, "Someday It'll All Make Sense," and the other is a demo the two recorded of Anderson's song "IF It's All The Same To You" back in 1964 which had previously been released a decade ago on the previous boxed set Bill Anderson: The First 10 Years: 1956-1966. In a press release, Anderson said: "Needless to say I am thrilled over my new association with UMG. Not only do they have 23 years' worth of my back catalog ready to introduce to the digital world, but I am reuniting with Dolly Parton on this project. Dolly sang some demos for me (and with me) back in the early sixties when she was new in town. One was a duet called, "If It's All The Same To You," which had gone missing for years. UMG has recovered it and included it along with my and Dolly's new duet in this package. That's called connecting the dots across more than fifty years. How cool is that?"
U.S., U.K. Chart Updates Dolly's Run, Rose, Run sold about 1,500 copies in its seventh week, dropping four to No. 52 overall album sales but gaining six spots to No. 28 current album sales in the April 30 Billboard. It reigns at No. 1 bluegrass albums for a seventh consecutive week. Across the pond, the album falls off the top 100 overall sales, physical sales, and Scottish albums charts, down from No. 57, No. 57, and No. 47, respectively. It slides six to No. 13 Americana albums but rises one to No. 2 UK country albums. The Real Dolly Parton falls off the U.K. physical sales and Scottish albums charts, down from No. 70 and No. 58, respectively, and Very Best Of Dolly Parton Vol. 1 falls off the top 100 British albums, top sales, and top streaming albums, down from No. 94, No. 84, and No. 87, respectively. On the U.K. country compilations tally, Very Best Of Dolly Parton Vol. 1 inches up one to No. 3, while The Complete Trio Collection Deluxe holds steady at No. 2 and 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) falls off the top 20, down from No. 11. Back on the U.S. country albums chart, Ultimate Dolly Parton re-enters the top 50 at No. 46.
Dolly's 'Grace & Frankie' Appearance Happens The final 12 episodes of Netflix's Grace & Frankie dropped Friday, including Dolly's cameo as an angel in the final episode. Check out what executive producer Marta Kauffman had to say about the scene from Varietyhere.
'Night Of 1,000 Dollys' Returns This Weekend Knoxville hotspot Club XYZ this weekend will host the 14th annual Night of 1,000 Dollys event and for the first time ever will extend it to two nights. For $10 admission as a fundraiser for Imagination Library, the May 6 and 7 parties will feature Dolly tribute shows at 11:30 and 1 a.m. nightly.
