Aug. 30: 'Let It Be' Sees Chart Debut Dolly's remake of "Let It Be" with Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr sold 3,000 downloads in its first week of release to debut at No. 2 Rock Digital Song Sales, No. 15 Country Digital Song Sales, and No. 22 overall Digital Song Sales on the Sept. 2 Billboard charts released Tuesday revealed. It didn't earn enough radio airplay or streams to debut on any of the main genre charts that add those to sales. Dolly's Run, Rose, Run holds steady on the bluegrass albums chart at No. 7
'Cowboys & Indians' Story Posted Dolly's cover story in Cowboys & Indians magazine has been posted online. Read it here
Dolly Signs New Kitchenware Deal Dolly announced on Monday she had inked another kitchenware deal with a new partner, this time Farberware and KitchenAid parent manufacturer Lifetime Brands Inc. The multi-year licensing deal will see her collaborate on products from kitchen tools and gadgets, bakeware, cookware, spice racks, cutlery and cutting boards in the food preparation category, to barware, bar tools, flatware, serveware, dinnerware and drinkware in the tabletop category. Beyond the kitchen, the products will extend to food storage solutions, pantryware, insulated bottles and thoughtfully curated home décor accessories.
Doggy Parton Line Adds Kohls, Petco
Dolly also announced Monday that her Doggy Parton pet accessories line was expanding to Petco and select Kohls stores. Check out the Kohls announcement here or the media player above.
Dolly by all accounts gave spectacular performances that raised $1.6 million for Marty Stuart's Congress of Country Music in Philadelphia, Miss., on Saturday (video above courtesy TikTok account Lovejoy – check out his channel here for other footage from the day). Between the 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. shows, she and Stuart unveiled a mural on a restaurant next to the theatre based on her song "Wildflowers." (See a video here.) The theatre seat 500 for each show (where almost all tickets were more than $1,000 each), and a few hundred more paid $35 each to sit outside and watch on video screens in the 100-degree heat. Dolly's 13-song set list was about half the length of her usual concerts:
Orange Blossom Special with Marty
My Tennessee Mountain Home
Little Tiny Tasseltop
Precious Memories
Coat of Many Colors
Appalachian Memories
Puppy Love
Dumb Blonde
Last Thing on My Mind with Marty
Jolene
I Will Always Love You
Here You Come Again
9 To 5
Coverage include The Clarion-Ledgerhere and here and WTOK here and here.
'Let It Be' Charts Overseas Dolly's cover of "Let It Be" with Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr plus Peter Frampton and Mic Fleetwood debuts at No. 61 U.K. download singles and No. 66 U.K. singles sales, it was revealed Friday, but the song didn't get enough streams to break the overall top 100 pop singles chart. In the U.S., the song is awaiting news of its American chart debut but it made No. 3 on the Hot Trending Songs based on popularity of posts across X (formerly known as Twitter), her fourth song to chart there after the second, third, and fourth singles from the rock album made the top 20. Elsewhere in the U.K., Dolly's Diamonds & Rhinestones, The Greatest Hits Collection holds steady at No. 2 in its 39th week on the British country compilation albums chart, 27 of which were spent in two runs at No. 1. Elsewhere on the chart, The Complete Trio Collection Deluxe slips five to No. 16, Linda Ronstadt's Original Album Series (featuring one Dolly duet and one Dolly cover) inches up one to No. 12, Very Best Of Dolly Parton Vol. 1 re-enters the top 20 at No. 19, and Emmylou 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 two to No. 15.
Reba Re-Releasing Dolly Duet Reba McEntire announced her Grammy-nominated Dolly duet on "Does He Love You" will be re-released in an acoustic version on Reba's Oct. 6 album Not That Fancy, which features new recordings of stripped-down versions of her previous recordings. Reserve your copy here.
Indiana Takes Imagination Library Statewide Indiana is the latest state to take Dolly's Imagination Library early childhood literacy program statewide, Indiana Capital Chronicle reported here.
Aug. 23: Lipscomb Costume Exhibit Announced
Dolly on Tuesday announced an Oct. 31-Dec. 9 exhibit at Nashville's Lipscomb University. "Dolly Parton and the Makers: My Life In Rhinestones" will serve as the first "physical interpretation" of her upcoming book Behind The Seams: My Life In Rhinestones. A total of 25 costumes will be on display. Tickets will be $25 for a 45-minute tour Tuesdays through Saturdays, with tickets on sale Sept. 1. Dolly's seamstress revealed on Facebook she will be teaching a class and serving as artist-in-residence for the exhibit, Watch Dolly's announcement here or in the media player above.
'Run' Holds On To Bluegrass Charts Dolly's Run, Rose, Run holds steady on the bluegrass albums chart at No. 7 in the Aug. 26 Billboard charts released Tuesday.
Aug. 21: 'Let It Be' Single Drops
Dolly's much-awaited cover of "Let It Be" with surviving Beatles Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr plus Peter Frampton and Mick Fleetwood dropped on Friday. Stream it on YouTube here or in the media player above and download it here.
Dolly Makes Kansas, Washington Visits
Dolly made statewide Imagination Library expansion celebration appearances in Washington state and Kansas. Check out the Washington appearance here or in the media player above, an interview with KING 5 Seattle here, an interview with Kansas City's WIBW here and her Kansas appearance here or in the media player below. An auction of Dolly-autographed items to benefit the Washington Imagination Library concludes Tuesday here.
New Funko Doll Announced Although it was previously reported here months ago, the official track listing for the Oct. 27 album A Tribute To The Judds was released confirming Dolly's collaboration with Lainey Wilson on "Mama He's Crazy." Get your copy here.
New Funko Doll Announced Funko last week officially announced a new Dolly doll based on a photo shoot from her 1977 tour. Check it out here.
Wal-Mart Party Supplies Profiled Dolly's Wal-Mart party supplies line is getting noticed with several stories profiling it recently including Scary Mommyhere.
Dolly Gets Two People's Choice Country Award Noms Dolly picked up two People's Choice Country Awards last week: Social Country Star and Crossover Song for "Seasons" with Bebe Rexha. Vote through Friday here. Winners will be announced Sept. 28 on NBC.
Dolly Discusses Bezos Gift Dolly has provided a little more information on her agreement with Jeff Bezos to spend $100 million of his fortune on charity, Rock Celebrities reported here. She noted she has 10 years to spend it and will spread it where it is most needed, including supporting her Imagination Library.
Aunt Vancie Gets Noticed Dolly impersonator Vancie Vega's "Not Dolly Show" earns a profile in Provincetown Magazine this week. Read it here.
U.S., U.K. Chart Updates Dolly's Run, Rose, Run holds steady on the bluegrass albums chart at No. 7 in the Aug. 19 Billboard charts released Tuesday. Overseas, the U.K. charts on Friday showed Dolly's Diamonds & Rhinestones, The Greatest Hits Collection holding steady at No. 2 in its 38th week on the country compilation albums chart, 27 of which were spent in two runs at No. 1. Elsewhere on the chart, The Complete Trio Collection Deluxe gains six to No. 11, Linda Ronstadt's Original Album Series (featuring one Dolly duet and one Dolly cover) slips three to No. 13, Very Best Of Dolly Parton Vol. 1 falls off the top 20, down from No. 18, and Emmylou Harris's 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. 17.
'Mountain Magic Christmas' Headed To DVD Warner Brothers has announced it will release the Emmy-nominated Dolly Parton's Mountain Magic Christmas on DVD Oct. 31. Reserve your copy here!
Aug. 14: Dolly To Visit TalkShopLive On Thursday
Dolly has announced she will release the single of "Let It Be" with the surviving members of the Beatles (Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr) plus guests Peter Frampton and Mick Fleetwood on Friday from her upcoming rock album. Get it here on Friday. She will also be interviewed Thursday at 8 p.m. Eastern on TalkShopLive to discuss the album (which is also available from that retailer in an exclusive cassette release pictured above). She will also chat about her upcoming book Behind The Seams: My Life In Rhinestones, which it was already reported here includes randomly-signed copies for some who pre-order through the retailer.
Library Visits To Kansas, Washington This Week
Dolly was in Kansas Monday celebrating the statewide expansion of her Imagination Library early childhood literacy program there with the state's governor. No word as of press time about a broadcast. She'll make a similar visit with the governor of Washington on Tuesday, which will air on Washington's public television network, TVW, at 2:30 p.m. Western time (5:30 p.m. Eastern). The appearance should be available for online streaming here or in the media player above. In related news, West Virginia last week celebrated the one-year anniversary of her visit to the state for the same purpose with a Dolly Day observance here, and the governor of Alabama hosted an event last week about implementing her announcement from January that the program would also be available statewide there. Read more here.
'Entertainment Tonight' Salutes Dolly For Full Show
Entertainment Tonight last week released a half-hour show dedicated to Dolly's life and career. Watch it here or in the media player above.
Judds Tribute Track Listing Released The final track listing was released last week for A Tribute To The Judds, which BMG will release Oct. 27. As was previously reported here, Dolly's contribution is a duet of "Mama He's Crazy" with Lainey Wilson. See the full track listing on Billboardhere.
'Rainbowland' Teacher Speaks To 'Newsweek' The teacher fired from a Wisconsin elementary school over her public announcement that the principal had banned Dolly's "Rainbowland" duet with Miley Cyrus from being performed by her students in a school concert is interviewed in Newsweekhere. She plans to sue the district because the freedom for teachers to speak freely about their districts outside of school is firmly established by case law.
U.K. Chart Updates Overseas, the U.K. charts on Friday showed Dolly's Diamonds & Rhinestones, The Greatest Hits Collection holding steady at No. 2 in its 37th week on the country compilation albums chart, 27 of which were spent in two runs at No. 1. Elsewhere on the chart, The Complete Trio Collection Deluxe re-enters the top 20 at No. 17, Linda Ronstadt's Original Album Series (featuring one Dolly duet and one Dolly cover) holds steady at No. 10, Very Best Of Dolly Parton Vol. 1 falls siz to No. 18, 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 back off the top 20, down from No. 15.
Aug. 9: Miss. Tickets Go On Sale With Major Snafu Tickets went on sale Tuesday morning for Dolly's Aug. 26 Mississippi fundraising concerts, and things were messed up. Sales were ongoing for 90 minutes before organizers were able to correct a restriction error they said their ticketing vendor made that only allowed buyers with Philadelphia, Miss., area zip codes to be eligible to complete their orders for tickets. At the time tickets went on sale to the public, almost no $350 seats were available, as most were either $1,100 or $1,750 and the ones nearest the stage were $3,500. All tickets also had a 7 percent ticket fee and 3 percent processing fee that were not disclosed in advance by the fundraising organization. As of press time Tuesday night, about 140 of the 1,000 seats remained unsold for the two concerts and were available here.
U.S. Chart Updates Dolly's Run, Rose, Run regains one on the bluegrass albums chart to No. 7 in the Aug. 12 Billboard charts released Tuesday. And for the charts reflecting its second week of sales, Dolly's "We Are The Champions/We Will Rock You," becomes the first single from Rockstar not to appear on any chart.
Dollywood Auditions Coming To Orlando Dollywood will host its first-ever entertainment auditions in Orlando, Fla., Aug. 19, at SpringHill Suites at Flamingo Crossings. Call backs same day. Registrations end on Sunday. Details here.
Dolly To Visit 'TalkShopLive' Aug. 17 Dolly has announced that she will appear on Talk Shop Live Thursday, Aug, 17, to promote her upcoming album Rockstar and book Behind The Seams: My Life In Rhinestones. She also revealed the retailer will sell an exclusive two-cassette release of her rock album with a pink cover and that random copies of the book will be signed for those who buy them through the retailer. Learn more in a video here or in the media player below.
Aug. 7: Miss. Concert Tickets On Sale Tuesday As promised, organizers of Dolly's Aug. 26 concerts in Philadelphia, Miss., to benefit Marty Stuart's Congress of Country Music and her Imagination Library early childhood literacy program announced Friday evening that tickets will go on sale at 9 a.m. Central time Tuesday through a link that will be posted at that time on their website, www.congressofcountrymusic.org. Tickets will range from $350 to $3,500 but not include formal meet and greets. Tickets to watch the concert on screens outside the theatre will be $35 each and go on sale at the same time. There is a four ticket per household limit. Several fans, however, complained about reports on social media that the museum's subscribers were given access to a pre-sale before the ticket announcement after the initial concert announcement made it clear that no pre-sales at all would be offered. When questioning these rumors on the Congress' social media posts, including posting copies of a flyer purporting to be the notice for subscribers on the presale and asking about its authenticity, the museum's social media managers appeared to delete the questions rather than answer them. A request for comment by Dollymania.net did not receive a response prior to press time late Sunday night.
U.K. Chart Update Overseas, the U.K. charts on Friday showed Dolly's Diamonds & Rhinestones, The Greatest Hits Collection losing its British crown on the country compilation albums chart, slipping one to No. 2 in its 36th week on the chart, 27 of which were spent in two runs at No. 1. Elsewhere on the chart, The Complete Trio Collection Deluxe falls out of the top 20, down from No. 12, Linda Ronstadt's Original Album Series (featuring one Dolly duet and one Dolly cover) holds steady at No. 10, Very Best Of Dolly Parton Vol. 1 loses six to No. 12, 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) dips six to No. 15 and Original Album Series: Volume 2 (featuring one track with Dolly harmony and two tracks with Trio harmony by Dolly and Linda Ronstadt) falls back off the top 20, down from No. 15.
Aug. 4: Natalie Grant Duet Coming Friday
Contemporary Christian singer Natalie Grant this week announced her new album, Seasons, coming in October and that its first single, a duet with Dolly, will drop on Friday. "Step By Step" is a cover of an Annie Lennox-written song that Whitney Houston covered on The Preacher's Wife Soundtrack. It should be available for streaming on YouTube here and for download here.
Library Gets $1 Million, Wash. Visit, Pitts Return The Dollar General Literacy Foundation this week announced a $1 million to Dolly's Imagination Library early childhood literacy program to celebrate the foundation's 30th anniversary. The gift nearly doubles the amount the company has provided Dolly's program since inception, with $2.3 million in funding to date. Like Dolly's father, who inspired her program because he never learned to read and write, the Dollar General Literacy Foundation was created by the company's former CEO in honor of his illiterate grandfather, who co-founded the company. "I first want to congratulate the Dollar General Literacy Foundation on an amazing 30 years of supporting literacy efforts across the country," Dolly said in a press release. "Dollar General has been a longtime supporter of our work with Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, and this amazing gift will help us expand my Imagination Library to even more children and families. We share such similar personal stories that are at the heart of our passion for inspiring a love of reading, and I look forward to many more years of partnering on this work that means so much to us."Shown are, from left, Dollywood Foundation President Jeff Conyers, Dolly, and Dollar General Corp. CEO Jeff Owen. (Image courtesy Business Wire. Click on it for a larger view.) In related news, it was announced this week that Dolly will visit Washington state Aug. 15 to celebrate the statewide expansion of her program there. Like her recent appearances for the program in other states, the invitation-only program is open to current active affiliates of the program in the state and will feature a fireside chat with Dolly and brief performance from her. Also like many of the other appearances, it will be broadcast live on public television (TVW) and be available to view on TVW and Imagination Library of Washington social media starting at 2:30 p.m. Pacific Aug. 15. This will follow an appearance in Kansas the day prior to celebrate the statewide program there. Also, two months after halting the program in Pittsburgh, Pa., due to lack of funding, officials announced a partnership to re-start book delivery there thanks to local philanthropic grants and a commitment from the city to provide a staff person to administer the program, WESA reported here.
Dolly Visits Wal-Mart
Dolly popped in to her local Hendersonville, Tenn;, Wal-Mart this week to take some pictures with her Doggy Parton line of pet supplies. Check out images employees shared to social media here.
Miss. Ticket Info Coming 5 p.m. Friday The Congress of Country Music will announce the sale date, ticket price, and purchase process for Dolly's two Aug. 26 fundraising concerts at 5 p.m. Central Friday, the organization revealed earlier this week on social media. The announcement also noted as of this time no meet and greets were scheduled or being offered.
Dolly Donates Dress To Whitney Auction Whitney Houston's estate this week announced Dolly had donated a very special dress to its second annual Whitney Houston Legacy of Love fundraiser to benefit the Whitney E. Houston Legacy Foundation the AP reported here. The evening will feature performances at Atlanta's St. Regis Hotel by Bebe Winans and Kim Burrell plus the auctioning of the dress Dolly wore to sing "I Will Always Love You" as the No. 1 of CMT's 100 Greatest Love Songs of Country Music in 2004. Houston's cover of the song was recently certified diamond for 10 million units.
Preaching About Dolly A United Methodist Church in Morrison, Ill., will center each of August's sermons around a different Dolly song, The Clinton Herald reported here. Pastor Sun-ah Kang's sermons will search for the holy language of love divine in Dolly's lyrics, and each song will be sung in the service. They focus on "I Will Always Love You" this Sunday, "Light Of A Clear Blue Morning" and "Jolene" Aug. 13, "9 To 5" Aug. 20, and "Coat Of Many Colors" Aug. 27.
U.S. Chart Updates Dolly's Run, Rose, Run slips two on the bluegrass albums chart to No. 8 in the Aug. 5 Billboard charts released Wednesday. Dolly's latest single from Rockstar, "We Are The Champions/We Will Rock You," failed to sell enough downloads in its first week of release to chart, but since it didn't get much attention until late in the sales week when the music video premiered as an NBC Olympics promo, its second week might be better.
