Oct. 31: CBS Appearance Announced According to VH1's Rock On TV, Dolly has been added as a guest for CBS' The Early Show on Nov. 5 for an interview in Nashville as part of the network's pre-coverage of the CMA Awards, which it will air live that night. The Early Show runs from 7 a.m. Eastern until 9 a.m., and the awards will be on from 8 p.m. until 11 p.m. on CBS.
U.S. Chart Updates The tribute album Just Because I'm A Woman: Songs Of Dolly Parton loses five spots to No. 11 on the Nov. 8 country albums chart in its second week, Billboard announced Thursday. The collection slips three notches to No. 8 on the independents list and 35 places to No. 102 on the pop albums chart. Ultimate Dolly Parton falls two to No. 73 for its 21st chart week. Alan Jackson's Greatest Hits Volume 2 remains steady at No. 1 country for a 10th week and No. 25 pop in its 11th chart week, while Martina McBride's Martina remains steady at No. 2 country and falls nine to No. 42 pop in its fourth chart week.
And Up North . . . The tribute CD moves up 10 spaces on the Canadian country albums chart in its second week up north, coming in at No. 51, it was announced Thursday.
New Reviews New Orleans' music magazine OffBeat gives its opinion on the tribute CD in its November issue. Cameron Williams starts off with some humor, noting: "Admit it: you think that the only people who listen to Dolly Parton are truck drivers and Oprah Winfrey. Well you, sir or madam, are very wrong." Lauding her songwriting skill, he says Alison Krauss and Melissa Etheridge don't do justice to her tunes but cuts by Norah Jones, Shelby Lynne, Sinéad O'Connor and Dolly herself "make this album worthwhile." Read the full review here.
Indianapolis' NUVO also praises the CD, calling it "a fitting tribute to a sadly underrated artist." The reviewer singles out performances by Alison Krauss, Melissa Etheridge, Norah Jones and, his apparent favorite, Me'Shell N'dedgéOcello, which he calls a "real treat." His only criticism is the "misfire" of Shania Twain's cover of "Coat Of Many Colors." Read the full review here. Thanks, Jeffrey!
And California's gay and lesbian newsmagazine Frontiers raved on the disc in its Oct. 24 issue, saying: "No one deserves a tribute album more than Dolly Parton. Her songwriting is criminally underappreciated and most people focus on her ample physical assets rather than the genius she exhibits in her craft." Thanks, Jeffrey!
Another CMA Prediction Chet Flippo gives his predictions for next week's CMA Awards in his "Nashville Skyline" column on CMT.com Thursday, and he doesn't think the night will end with Dolly taking home a trophy. For Female Vocalist Of The Year, the only category in which Dolly is nominated, he said he thinks Patty Loveless deserves to win but expects last year's winner, Martina McBride, to repeat this year. His other predictions: Toby Keith for Entertainer Of The Year and Male Vocalist Of The Year, Johnny Cash for Album Of The Year with American IV and Video Of The Year for "Hurt," Randy Travis for Song Of The Year and Single Of The Year for "Three Wooden Crosses," Rascall Flatts for Vocal Group Of The Year, Brooks & Dunn for Vocal Duo Of The Year, Joe Nichols for the Horizon Award and Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffett for Vocal Event Of The Year with "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere." Read his full column, including who he thinks deserves win each category instead of who probably will, here.
Lawsuit Coverage Continues Dollywood's decision to end free admission for the handicapped due to a lawsuit continued to make the news on Friday with an Associated Press story in a few papers, including the Knoxville News-Sentinelhere, and the park posted a statement on its Web site here.
Oct. 30: Another Great Review Western North Carolina's Smoky Mountain News offered its opinion on the tribute album Just Because I'm A Woman: Songs Of Dolly Parton this week, giving the collection three out of five stars and saying it "provides a chance to step back from the elaborate package that is Dolly Parton — movie star, theme park magnate, faux dumb blonde country girl — and consider her merits as a songwriter." The reviewer noted: "The performances are strong, and the songs shine," singling out Norah Jones, Joan Osborne, Me'Shell N'dedgéOcello, Emmylou Harris and Alison Krauss. Read the full review here.
Lawsuit Ends Free Admission Knoxville TV station WBIR reported Wednesday that a lawsuit will force Dollywood to cease allowing free admission to the handicapped beginning Jan. 1. A local woman had filed suit alleging that the special treatment for those confined to a wheelchair or with visual or hearing impairments constituted a violation of the Americans With Disabilities Act. The station reported that the park will voluntarily end the policy on the advice of legal counsel, adding that about 40,000 disabled patrons visit the park annually. Read the report here.
Oct. 29: Vincent To Join Dolly And Norah Bluegrass virtuoso Rhonda Vincent has been added to the guest list at next week's CMA Awards, it was announced Tuesday. The chanteuse will provide harmony vocals for Dolly's duet with Norah Jones on "The Grass Is Blue," awards officials said. And speaking of the CMAs, I'm told that CMT has begun airing promos for its annual CMA Nominee Report, which of course include Dolly as a Female Vocalist Of The Year nominee. Thanks, Dawn! According to CMT.com, the show airs at 4 p.m. Eastern Sunday.
Tribute Getting Radio Notice The tribute CD Just Because I'm A Woman: Songs Of Dolly Parton moves up one spot to No. 7 on the weekly Americana Music Association countdown with 590 spins at radio during the previous week, it was announced Tuesday, up from 555 spins the week before. Livin', Lovin', Losin': Songs Of The Louvin Brothers, on which Dolly and Sonya Isaacs contribute "The Angels Rejoiced," inches up two to No. 17 with 397 spins.
Oct. 28: Dolly Wows Audience Honoring Lily Lily Tomlin's receipt of the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor on Sunday night garnered a good bit of coverage on Monday. According to various reports, the night started with Tomlin, Dolly and Jane Fonda exiting their limousines in quick succession, then hugging each other and posing for photos before entering the Kennedy Center for the ceremony. According to The Washington Post, Fonda saw Dolly's black leather miniskirt and vest and cooed: "Oooh! Look at you! I was wondering what you were going to wear!" Dolly told the audience: "Lily is not the kind of comedian who tells jokes. She's like Mark Twain. She tells us the truth about ourselves and we laugh to keep from crying." She also recounted that Tomlin once urged her to burn her bra, to which Dolly said she retorted "that would be a four-alarm fire!" After changing into a pink fringed dress, Dolly returned to the stage to sing "9 To 5" as the night's finale. At one point at the end, the fringe from her dress got caught in Elaine Stritch's dress, and George Lopez had to untangle them to the delight of the crowd. Many other celebrities paid tribute to Tomlin, who in her acceptance speech thanked her domestic partner of more than three decades, Jane Wagner, who has also been her artistic collaborator for most of her projects in that time as well, later telling the Associated Press that she believed Wagner deserved the award as much as she did because of her contributions to her work over the past 32 years that they have been together. See AP photos here and stories here and here. The ceremony will air on PBS Nov. 26. Images from the ceremony courtesy Hans Kline.
The new issue of Country Weekly gives it four out of five stars, dubbing it "outstanding" and summing it up as "Dolly's disciples deliver."
Launch.com on Monday posted its review, praising contributions by Norah Jones, Shelby Lynne, Emmylou Harris, Alison Krauss and Shania Twain (although the reviewer mistakenly says it's Krauss singing the duet vocal on Shania's cover of "Coat Of Many Colors" -- it's Dolly -- and that Linda Ronstadt had made the song popular, even though she's never recorded it). He thought Melissa Etheridge's take on "I Will Always Love You" was "not very memorable" and that Me'Shell N'dedgéOcello's "Two Doors Down" version "just plain sucks." He concludes that Dolly's new version of the title cut is the CD's "triumph." Read the full review here.
News site 365Gay points out: "First of all she is a poet. Listen carefully to her lyrics. Second, she possesses one of the most powerful voices in music today." The reviewer continues to laud contributions by just about every performer on the disc. Read the full review here. Thanks, Adam!
And The Advocate also praised the collection in a story posted online Monday night as the featured review in the Nov. 11 issue of gay and lesbian bi-weekly newsmagazine, complete with quotes from fans. This fairly lengthy review is the first I've seen to praise Me'Shell N'dedgéOcello's "Two Doors Down," saying that her contribution "captures the true essence of Dolly Parton as a recording artist and as a queer icon. She's always known when to get deep—and when to shrug off the melodrama and have a good time." Read the full article here.
CW: Martina Will Win The new issue of Country Weekly magazine gives its odds on this year's CMA Awards, for which Dolly is up for Female Vocalist Of The Year. The publication wagers that Martina McBride has a 70 percent chance of repeating the honor this year, followed by Dolly and Patty Loveless with a 10 percent chance each (attributing Dolly's low chances mainly to country radio ignoring some of the best work of her career), and Alison Krauss and Terri Clark at 5 percent each. And on CMT.com Monday, Krauss said she wouldn't mind losing to longtime pal Dolly. "I was so happy to see Dolly nominated, who to me, will always be the female vocalist of every year to come forever," she said. "She's just such an amazing person and an amazing example of a woman. I just love to see her honored any time she's brought up." Read CMT's interview here. The CMA Awards will be handed out in Nashville on Nov. 5. Dolly and Norah Jones will duet on "The Grass Is Blue" during the ceremony, which will air live on CBS.
Howard, Loveless Trio Cut Coming In '04 According to Rebecca Lynn Howard's publicist, the William Morris Agency, the song Dolly helped out on for the young singer's third MCA CD, Laughter And Tears, is "Smithfield Boys," described as "a dark brooding ode to bad boys." The two are joined by Patty Loveless for trio harmonies on the cut, which Howard said: "just fits with our voices. It's so cool to hear three mountain girls singing together. And I just admire them so much, not only as artists, but as people. Their personalities are just wonderful." You may recall it was first reported here back in August that Dolly had cut a track for the Howard's album, which at the time had been scheduled for release in October. It has now been pushed back to early 2004, according to her label. Thanks, Jonathan!
Oct. 27: 'For God And Country' Review Posted Dolly's upcoming spiritual and patriotic album For God And Country is a winner and destined to be a classic. Read your first guide to its tracks in the Dollymania review here.
Down Under, British Chart Updates Just Because I'm A Woman: Songs Of Dolly Parton falls one to No. 7 on the Australian country chart in its second chart week, it was announced Sunday, while Ultimate Dolly Parton drops out of the top 10 Down Under, down from No. 8 in its eighth chart week last week. In the U.K., however, the tribute album didn't sell enough copies in its first week to make the top 75 British pop albums chart. Perhaps it will catch on this week.
Another Review The Cleveland Plain Dealer on Sunday gave the tribute collection a "B," calling several of the cuts "noteworthy covers," including Shania Twain's "Coat Of Many Colors," Norah Jones' "The Grass Is Blue" and Sinéad O'Connor's "Dagger Through The Heart." The reviewer didn't care, however, for Me'Shell N'dedgéOcello's "generic" take on "Two Doors Down" or Mindy Smith's "Jolene," saying the latter contains "none of the visceral power" of Dolly's original. Read the full review here.
Oct. 25: See Dolly In D.C. If you're in Washington, D.C., this weekend, tickets are still available for Lily Tomlin's ceremony to receive the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall at 8 p.m. Sunday. 9 To 5 co-stars Dolly and Jane Fonda will be on hand to honor their friend, and the program will air on PBS Nov. 26. Tickets, ranging from $25 to $75, are available at 202-467-4600.
Tribute Updates The tribute CD Just Because I'm A Woman: Songs Of Dolly Parton continues to receive praise. The Aspen Times on Friday raved over the quality of Dolly's songwriting and the top-notch performances on the disc. Read the review here.
reports that Shania Twain got very emotional during Monday's taping of The Oprah Winfrey Show tribute to Dolly when she discussed the impact of Dolly's music on her life, most importantly the similarities of their childhoods spent in poverty.
And Me-shell N'degéocello talked more about her love for Dolly in an article in Atlanta's Southern Voice newspaper on Friday. In a discussion of her contribution of "Two Doors Down" to the tribute album she said: ""I like Dolly Parton a lot. I think she is an amazing lyricist and songwriter. She asked me personally, and I was more than happy to participate." Read the interview here.
Shirley Uses Dolly As Example Dolly's Steel Magnolias co-star Shirley MacLaine is using her in an artists' workshop, the San Francisco Gate reported Friday. In an exercise teaching students to slowly eat an apple and enjoy each bite, she relates how Dolly lost an enormous amount of weight and kept it off (MacLaine says it was 100 pounds, but I think it was closer to 50 or 60). She noted that Dolly would take huge portions of food while they were filming the movie but only eat a small amount. "Dolly told me, 'I eat one-third, and the other two-thirds are for the two angels over my shoulders. If I don't give them their food, the angels won't protect me,'" she told her class, adding that Dolly "still has big tits, but everything else is little." Read the article here.
Contest Last Chance Saturday is your last chance to enter the Dollymania/Klew Media contest to win items associated with the Universal Records' tribute CD Livin', Lovin', Losin': Songs Of The Louvin Brothers. A first place winner will receive a complimentary copy of the disc plus a limited edition "hatch print" poster from the project. Two additional winners will receive a copy of the CD. Click here to enter, and click here to get your copy of the album, which features Dolly and Sonja Isaacs singing "The Angels Rejoiced."
Oct. 24: Dolly Rocks! Dolly shined on Thursday night's Women Rock! breast cancer benefit concert on Lifetime, performing more songs than just about any other artist on the program and being called by hostess Mandy Moore the show's only true legend. She first came on stage early in the night to a standing ovation when she and Alison Krauss joined Bonnie Raitt for a gorgeous cover of John Prine's "Angel From Montgomery," which garnered another standing ovation at its conclusion. She returned later to sing her classic "I Will Always Love You" with Raitt. Krauss later spoke of her joy of recording "9 To 5" for the Dolly tribute project Just Because I'm A Woman: Songs Of Dolly Parton and a chance to honor her idol. After singing a verse of her version of the song, she was joined on stage by Dolly to sing the remainder together. As the night continued, Moore introduced Dolly for her new version of "Just Because I'm A Woman" (although she repeated the oft-told error that it was from her first-ever album when it was from her third album, second-ever solo album, first RCA solo album). And in introducing the show's finale, Moore again plugged the tribute album before Mindy Smith led the entire cast in a rendition of Dolly's "Jolene." So the evening ending up being almost as much a tribute to Dolly (and almost a commercial for the tribute CD) as it was a benefit to fight disease. Dolly's contributions for the show's ebay auction also raised more than $2,800 for breast cancer charities, with a VIP tour of Dollywood and tickets to her Dollywood Foundation benefit concerts in December closing on Thursday night for $2,000, a dulcimer and autographed CD/photo package for $500 and autographed CD with a T-shirt for $305. The final five of the concert's 10 guitars autographed by all of its participants remain on auction through Oct. 30 here, with the first five selling on Thursday for a combined $4,475, or nearly $1,000 each. You may also show your support by purchasing a pink guitar pin, proceeds from which will benefit breast cancer charities, here.
No. 6 Country Debut For Tribute The tribute album Just Because I'm A Woman: Songs Of Dolly Parton gets the "Hot Shot Debut" designation on both the country and independent label album charts as the highest-debuting CD in the Nov. 1 Billboard tallies, it was announced Thursday. The collection debuts at No. 6 on the country side and No. 5 on the independents list. As was reported here Wednesday night, the record debuts at No. 67 on the pop albums chart. Ultimate Dolly Parton remains steady at No. 71 for its 20th chart week, while Kenny Rogers' Back To The Well, featuring the Dolly duet "Undercover," falls off the 75-position country chart, down from No. 75 last week in its 3rd chart week. Alan Jackson's Greatest Hits Volume 2 remains steady at No. 1 for a ninth week in its 10th chart week, losing three spots to No. 25 pop, while Martina McBride's former No. 1 Martina also remains steady at No. 2 country and falls 15 to No. 33 pop in its third chart week.
Oct. 23: Tribute Disc To Debut High The tribute album Just Because I'm A Woman: Songs Of Dolly Parton will debut at No. 67 on the Nov. 1 Billboard pop albums chart, it was announced Wednesday. That high of a ranking on the pop side should translate to a debut around No. 4 or 5 on the country albums chart when those numbers are released on Thursday.
And the CD got a great review on Wednesday in the Windy City Times, Chicago's gay and lesbian newspaper. Reviewer Gregg Shapiro calls Etheridge's cover of "I Will Always Love You" the disc's "bravest track" and says that Me'Shell N'dedgéOcello "reinvents" Dolly's "Two Doors Down" for "this century." Others garnering praise in the review include Alison Krauss, Norah Jones, Shelby Lynne, Allison Moorer and Dolly herself. The reviewer sums it up saying that the only bad thing about the album is that it's cover art "doesn't live up to the music on the CD." Read the full review here.
'Oprah' Looks Good For Nov. 4 It appears that the Dolly tribute episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show will, in fact, air on Nov. 4. As was reported here, initial items on some country music news sites had given a Nov. 5 broadcast date but Dolly's label, Sugar Hill Records, had given a Nov. 4 date. As of Wednesday, several of the news sites have changed it to Nov. 4, and Shania Twain's record label site also began listing a Nov. 4 date on Wednesday. The episode, which taped in Chicago on Monday, was moved to place it during "sweeps week," when advertising prices are set and shows attempt to garner a larger-than-usual audience. It features Dolly, Twain, Melissa Etheridge and Alison Krauss.
Cash Set Drops Nov. 25 Johnny Cash's five-disc boxed set Unearthed, covering 64 unreleased tracks from his American Recordings CDs and 15 greatest hits from those albums, will hit stores Nov. 25 from Lost Highway Records, it has been announced. The set, which will include a 104-page clothbound collection of liner notes featuring one of the legend's final interviews, features two covers of Dolly's "I'm A Drifter" on its second disc: one called the "Heartbreaker version" with Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers and a second called the "Flea version" with Flea and the rhythm section of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Reserve your copy here!
Friendly Reminder Don't forget to catch Dolly's appearance on Lifetime's Women Rock concert Thursday at 10 p.m., and place your last-minute bids on their Dolly memorabilia up for auction to benefit breast cancer charities here!
Oct. 22: 'Oprah' To Air In Nov. Dolly's tribute episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show, taped on Monday, will now air during the television "sweeps" period and the week of the CMA Awards, it has been announced, although the definite date is questionable. Nashville columnist Hazel Smith on Tuesday said on her radio show just that it will air during CMA week, while CountryStars.com reported Monday that it will air on Nov. 5, and Sugar Hill Records says it will air on Nov. 4. More as I learn it! Thanks, Bridget and Dawn!
Tribute News People magazine gives the tribute CD Just Because I'm A Woman: Songs Of Dolly Parton three-and-a-half out of four stars, saying it is "a very enjoyable celebration of one of country's most revered figures." Thanks, Bridget!
The CD also debuted over the weekend at No. 76 on the Australian pop charts, I've just learned, in addition to its No. 6 country debut Down Under which was reported here Sunday night.
And the collection moves up six spots to No. 8 on the weekly Americana Music Association countdown with 555 spins at radio during the previous week, it was announced Tuesday, up from 479 spins the week before. Livin', Lovin', Losin': Songs Of The Louvin Brothers, on which Dolly and Sonya Isaacs contribute "The Angels Rejoiced," inches up one to No. 19 with 363 spins.
Library Update Dolly's Imagination Library, which provides one free book per month from birth to age five for any child in a participating community whose parents sign up, has come to Laurens County, S.C., according to The Greenville News. The program has been added to the county's Born-To-Read project, which provided a bag of books to mothers in the county hospital's maternity ward. The expansion is funded by the local United Way and two school districts. Dolly's program, administered by the Dollywood Foundation, is active in more than 200 communities across 32 states. Read the story here.
Lifetime Auction Reminder There are fewer than two days left in Lifetime's ebay auctions of Dolly memorabilia to benefit breast cancer charities in association with the Women Rock concert which airs on the cable network featuring Dolly Thursday at 10 p.m. As of Tuesday night, the auction (here) for a VIP weekend at Dollywood in December complete with tickets to Dolly's sold-out benefit concert was at $1,050; the package containing a dulcimer, T-shirt, autographed CD and autographed photo (here) was at $500; while the package containing a T-shirt and autographed CD (here) stood at $160. Also, the first five guitars autographed by the concert's stars, including Dolly, ranged from about $550 to $750. All of these items close on Thursday night. On Tuesday, the final five autographed guitars went on the auction block, with starting bids at $500. Look at the guitars or any other items from the benefit on the auction's main page here.
Oct. 21: Oprah Recap, Possible Delay, Tour News A reader who attended Dolly's taping of The Oprah Winfrey Show on Monday said it was an awesome occasion. Wearing an orange gown and short wig, Dolly was lauded by Shania Twain and Melissa Etheridge. Alison Krauss also appeared, but only to sing, not to be interviewed. The performances were as follows:
Shania and Dolly: Coat Of Many Colors
Melissa and Dolly: I Will Always Love You
Shania: She's Not Just A Pretty Face
Dolly: medley
Alison and Dolly: 9 To 5 (performed for the "Oprah After The Show" segment on Oprah's Web site, which will be posted here)
Dolly didn't talk about her Nov. 11 release, For God And Country, but the reader who attended did get a brief chance to meet her following the taping and asked about the CD and whether she plans to tour to promote it, and she told him that she is definitely planning to tour in 2004. He also told her that he bought her DVD at Wal-Mart, to which she giggled. Thanks, Christian!
One worrisome note, however, Oprah's Web site on Monday removed the Dolly tribute episode from its listing for Thursday, replacing it with "Real Life CSI Stories." Friday's show is listed as "TBA," so Dolly's may be moving to that day instead.
Another Review The Los Angeles Times has weighed in on the Dolly tribute CD Just Because I'm A Woman: Songs Of Dolly Parton, giving it a "B+" and praising contributions by Emmylou Harris, Shelby Lynne, Sinead O'Connor, Alison Krauss and Me'Shell NdegéOcello, calling Norah Jones' take on "The Grass Is Blue" the CD's stand-out. Read the full review, as reprinted by the Houston Chronicle, here.
Dolly In Cash Book CMT.com's "Hot Talk" column on Monday (here) said a new book by Rutledge Hill Press titled Ring Of Fire: A Tribute To Johnny Cash is being rushed to bookstores. The collection features numerous photos from the legend's career as well as memories of him by luminaries such as Kris Kristofferson, Loretta Lynn and Dolly. Originally scheduled for a February release, according to Amazon.com, the book should hit stores in the next few weeks. Order your copy here!
'CW' Story Online Country Weekly on Monday posted an online version of its feature story on Kenny Rogers' new album, Back To The Well, focusing largely on its Dolly duet, "Undercover." Read it here.
Oct. 20: Tribute Continues To Get Raves The Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune on Sunday ran a stellar review of the tribute album Just Because I'm A Woman: Songs Of Dolly Parton, calling it "an example of how to do [a tribute album] right, with one righteously reimagined song after another." Read it here.
Chet Flippo's "Nashville Skyline" column on CMT.com called the collection (along with new releases by Patty Loveless and Martina McBride) one "of the finest CDs in any genre this year." He also lauded the Louvin tribute, Livin', Lovin', Losin': Songs Of The Louvin Brothers, on which Dolly also appears. Read his column, titled "Reasons To Be Cheerful (Part 1)," here.
The New York Daily News on Sunday said the CD is "doing right by Dolly," capturing the fact that she "has written some of the most intimate and genuine songs of country music." It calls Mindy Smith's song "sensitively turned," Melissa Etheridge's her "first-ever subtle vocal," and that Alison Krauss lets listeners "hear how smart the lyrics really are." Read it here.
And the Montreal Gazette on Saturday offered a great interview with Dolly about the project, about which she noted: "I think by everybody doing their own song their own way, it left it up for less criticism than if it had been slick and overproduced." Read the full interview here.
More Cover Songs Singer Kate Campbell released a collection of cover songs titled Twang On A Wire a couple of weeks ago on Large River Music, and it includes two Dolly classics: "Down From Dover" and "Touch Your Woman." Other selections include "Rose Garden," "Would You Lay With Me In A Field Of Stone, "Til I Can Make It On My Own," "Harper Valley PTA," "Boulder To Birmingham" and more. Order it here. Thanks, Peter!
Sister: Dolly IS Right With God Dolly's sister Stella, a gospel singer herself, appeared on TBN's Praise The Lord program Friday night (it repeats Monday afternoon), and recounted that a fan told her that since she was doing the Lord's work, she should get Dolly right with God. Her response was that Dolly is a great Christian and didn't have to change anything. In related news, gospel legend Dottie Rambo was honored last Tuesday with the release of an episode of her life story in the More Than The Music series, which features interviews with Dolly, the Oak Ridge Boys and Gary Chapman, among others. Get your copy here.
And The Winners Are . . . Congratulations to the winners of the Dollymania/BMG Just Because I'm A Woman Contest. Winning free copies of the CD re-issue of Dolly's classic 1968 RCA album are Kristen Corbell of Durham, N.C.; Sergio Garcia of Los Angeles; and Liz Palmer of Troup, Texas. Thanks to everyone who sent in entries over the past week from 40 states and eight foreign countries!
Oct. 18: 'Oprah' To Air Thursday VH1's Rock On TV reported on Friday that Dolly's appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show, to be taped with Shania Twain and Alison Krauss on Monday to promote Just Because I'm A Woman: Songs Of Dolly Parton, will premiere on Thursday, Oct. 23, and will also include Melissa Etheridge. The show airs at 4 p.m. in most markets, but it is syndicated, so times may vary. It will be broadcast just a few hours before Dolly's appearance on Lifetime for the Women Rock! breast cancer benefit concert, which comes on at 10 p.m. on the cable network.
Another Review The Nashville Rage on Thursday published its review of the tribute album, saying it is "long overdue, and eminently listenable." Read it here.
Dollywood Presents Wagon Dollywood on Friday presented the Museum of the Cherokee its replica of the Zuraw Wagon in a special ceremony to commemorate the 165th anniversary of the Trail of Tears. The original wagon, the sole known surviving wagon used on the Trail of Tears, is on display at the park as part of a Native American exhibit through Nov. 1. The replica will be displayed at the museum just across the North Carolina border.
Oct. 17: Kenny, Dolly Still Hanging On Ultimate Dolly Parton remains steady at No. 71 on the Oct. 25 country albums chart for its 19th chart week, Billboard announced Thursday. Kenny Rogers' Back To The Well, featuring the Dolly duet on "Undercover," loses five spots to come in at No. 75 on the 75-position country chart. Alan Jackson's Greatest Hits Volume 2 spends its ninth chart week re-capturing the top country spot for an eighth time, up from No. 3 last week, but it loses three spots to No. 22 pop. Martina McBride's Martina slips one space to No. 2 country and 18 to No. 25 pop in its second chart week.
Alison On 'Oprah' Alison Krauss has been confirmed as a guest to tape The Oprah Winfrey Show in Chicago on Monday with Dolly and Shania Twain. I'm told that she is slated to appear so she can sing background harmony for Shania, who will be performing her new single, "She's Not Just A Pretty Face," as well as a duet with Dolly on "Coat Of Many Colors." Krauss and Dolly both sing harmony on Shania's cover of the song from the tribute album Just Because I'm A Woman: Songs Of Dolly Parton. Thanks!
CMT Tribute Poll II After Wednesday's poll showed about 70 percent of respondents had yet to hear the tribute album, CMT.com on Thursday posted a poll asking which performances fans most wanted to hear. If the responses are accurate, Sugar Hill would be wise to prepare Shania Twain's cover of "Coat Of Many Colors" with Dolly and Alison Krauss as the project's next single because it took a whopping 92 percent of votes as of late Thursday afternoon. Krauss' "9 To 5" had 2 percent, while Dolly's new version of the title track and Norah Jones' take on "The Grass Is Blue" had 1 percent each and "none of the above" had 4 percent. Vote here!
Oct. 16: CMT Promotes Tribute CMT.com on Wednesday evening posted a great story on the tribute CD Just Because I'm A Woman: Songs Of Dolly Parton as its lead article. It's filled with quotes from Dolly about the album and quotes from several of the project's participants. Read it here. And the site also posted its question of the day about the album on Wednesday, asking readers what they believed was the strongest track. As it had just been released the day before, 70 percent of respondents as of late Wednesday hadn't heard any of the songs, but the other choices came down as Melissa Etheridge's "I Will Always Love You" with 13 percent, Alison Krauss' "9 To 5" with 10 percent, Norah Jones' "The Grass Is Blue" with 5 percent and Shelby Lynne's "The Seeker" with 2 percent. Vote here!
Oct. 15: 'Women Rock' Auctions Open Some great Dolly stuff is up for grabs at ebay this week with several auctions that started on Tuesday to benefit 10 breast cancer charities in connection with next week's Women Rock! concert on Lifetime in which Dolly participated, the network asked Dollymania to announce. As was first reported here, numerous Dolly items were to be on the auction block, and they have arrived!
The biggest one, with opening bids starting at $1,000, is a trip to two to Dollywood in December including accommodations at the Music Roadhouse Hotel, a VIP tour of the park, tickets to the Dixie Stampede, tickets to Dolly's sold out Dec. 12 benefit concert and a meal at the park. Place bids here!
Next, with a starting bid of $500, consists of an autographed copy of Just Because I'm A Woman: Songs Of Dolly Parton, a T-shirt (not signed) promoting the CD, an autographed 8x10 photo of Dolly with a dulcimer and one of the limited-edition Dollywood dulcimers featuring butterfly cut-outs (signed by its carver, not Dolly). Place bids here!
The third collection, with opening bids starting at $100, features an autographed copy of the CD and one of the T-shirts promoting it (not signed). Place bids here!
Finally, there will be 10 limited edition Fender Stratocaster guitars auctioned off which feature the signatures of the concert's performers including Dolly, Debbie Reynolds, Mandy Moore, Ann Wilson, Anastacia, Mya, Alison Krauss, Mindy Smith, Kenny Loggins and Bonnie Raitt. On Tuesday, five of the 10 went up for auction, with opening bids set at $500 each. Access each of them from the auction main page here.
Bids close for all items on Oct. 23, the same day the concert premieres on Lifetime at 10 p.m. Eastern.
The album was CMT.com's top release reviewed this week, lauding "beautiful renditions" by Norah Jones and Joan Osborne, calling Shania Twain's song "engaging," and Dolly's re-recording of the title track "strong, soulful." Read it here
USA Today gives the collection three out of four stars, noting "Dolly the poet is the aspect of her personality most easily disguised by all the makeup, and that trait shines through" on the CD. It calls the work by Jones, Twain and Alison Krauss "fresh-faced," and says Dolly's "stripped-down" version of the title cut "sounds as if it came not from the hills of Appalachia but from the riverbanks of Muscle Shoals." Read it here.
The Philadelphia Daily News says the CD features "a staggering list of admirers" and gives it an "A-." Read it here.
The News & Observer in Raleigh, N.C., gives it two-and-a-half stars, praising Krauss, Twain, Emmylou Harris and Joan Osborne while criticizing Alison Moorer, Shelby Lynn, Kasey Chambers, Me'Shell N'dedgéOcello and Melissa Etheridge. Read it here.
Also, Launch.com offered a story on the release here, quoting Dolly as saying: "I'm always so honored and so flattered, and I'm surprised that some of the people that say I have been an influence, because I think that those people are very talented in their own way. I think some of them would have made it anyway, but just to think that I've been around long enough to have left some sort of an impact and to have influenced somebody -- it's always a great honor."
And the album moves up eight spots on the Americana Music Association's weekly chart to No. 14, with its songs receiving 479 spins on radio. The Louvin tribute, Livin', Lovin', Losin': Songs Of The Louvin Brothers, on which Dolly also appears, moves up five spots this week to No. 20 with 335 spins.
Finally, speaking of Lifetime in the previous piece, unconfirmed reports say the network is considering taping a television concert special to promote the CD, although nothing has been finalized as of yet.
Bad News For Foreign Fans I've received several e-mails from Dolly fans outside the U.S. asking if there's any way to get the awesome new Dolly DVD Dolly Parton: Behind The Scenes which came out on Tuesday and details of which were first reported here last week. Unfortunately, Sugar Hill Records confirms, the project is a Wal-Mart exclusive. And since Wal-Mart's Web site does not ship outside the country, the DVD is not available to them at this time.
Australia Recap I'm told Dolly was great on the Australian show Rove Live on Tuesday, wearing a little red dress and shoulder-length hair with feathered ends. She was on the air promoting the tribute CD and spoke about her childhood, the album and the often-told story of streaking across Tom Jones' yard. The interview lasted about eight minutes. Thanks, Sean!
Don't Forget To Enter If you haven't entered the Dollymania/BMG contest to win free copies of the re-mastered 1968 Dolly album Just Because I'm A Woman, get those in. Entries will be accepted only through Friday. Details here!
Oct. 14: Tribute Preview: Week 12 With Tuesday's release of the all-star tribute CD Just Because I'm A Woman: Songs Of Dolly Parton coming, Sugar Hill Records on Monday concluded its weekly preview of the album's tracks with a two-for-one day, posting the full-length versions of both Me'Shell N'dedgéOcello's cover of "Two Doors Down" and Dolly's new version of the project's title track. Take a listen from their site here, see the site's e-card here or CMT's track-a-day promotion here. Reserve your copy of the CD here, and visit the Dollymania page for the project here.
Dolly 'Rocks' Dolly's appearance in the new Rolling Stone "Women Who Rock" report got a mention in Monday's New York Post, with a reviewer noting music coverage this month saying her profile in the special section "is fun," but that Q&A interviews with the magazine's three other main subjects (Eve, Missy Elliot and Alicia Keys) are "pretty pat." The issue should be on most newsstands any day now. Alas, Dolly's portion is not available on the magazine's Web site, but it did post a very brief review of Just Because I'm A Woman: Songs Of Dolly Parton on Monday here!
I Bet She'd Win Dolly got a little mention in Gail Kerr's column in Monday's The Tennessean. Contemplating Arnold Schwarzenegger's election as governor of California, she thought up some celebrities she thought would make a great governor for Tennessee. Near the top of her list: Dolly, explaining: "Dolly Parton would make a great governor: She's smart as a whip, runs a massive business, and she'd be fun. Think of how many sequins she would use to decorate the inaugural ball." (Of course, Dolly has said she has no interest in politics, deciding not to run for governor in the last election after a petition signed by several thousand voters urged her to do so.) Read the full column here.
Oct. 13: Dolly To Be On Letterman I'm told that Rhonda Vincent's newsletter, which came out over the weekend, announces that she will perform with Dolly on CBS' The Late Show With David Letterman on Nov. 11, the day Dolly's patriotic and spiritual album For God And Country hits stores. Thanks, Jason!
Tribute Week Arrives! The big week is finally here! Dolly's all-star tribute album Just Because I'm A Woman: Songs Of Dolly Parton drops on Tuesday (see a story/review in Saturday's The State newspaper in South Carolina here), the same day as the new DVD Dolly Parton: Behind The Scenes featuring an interview with Dolly about the project, the video for Mindy Smith's "Jolene," an interview about and samples of songs from next month's For God And Country, the video for "Color Me America" from that album and three of her other Sugar Hill videos. Get out there and get yours today!
Library Continues To Grow Dolly's Imagination Library is coming to Idaho, according to a story over the weekend in the Rexburg Standard Journal. The story quotes Dolly as saying, "I am so excited to be able to send books to children all the way from my home clear out to Rexburg. We just keep growing, and thanks to all of the kind folks there, my Imagination Library will help more children learn to love books and reading." The Rexburg program is funded by a $150,000, three-year grant from PacifiCorp and will begin with a kick-off at a local elementary school on Wednesday. In addition, Parents As Teachers Plus will use students from Brigham Young University Idaho and Americorps volunteers to plan activities in which parents and children will participate to coincide with the program's books. Dolly's Imagination Library, a program of the Dollywood Foundation, provides one free book per month from birth to age 5 for any child in a participating community whose parents sign up. It is active in more than 200 communities across 32 states. Read the story here.
Win, Win, Win! Remember to enter through Friday to win your copy of the re-mastered 1968 classic Just Because I'm A Woman from Dollymania and BMG, enter through Tuesday to win a prize package in honor of this week's tribute album Just Because I'm A Woman: Songs Of Dolly Parton from Sugar Hill Records and Miles of Music, through Saturday to win a June Carter Cash prize package from Klew Media and Dollymania, and through Oct. 25 to win a Louvin tribute prize package from Klew Media and Dollymania. Details on each contest and instructions on how to enter are on the site's contests page here!
Aussie Chart Update Ultimate Dolly Parton slips one to No. 7 on the Australian country albums chart in its seventh week, it was announced Sunday. It had peaked at No. 4.
Oct. 11: DVD Contains Videos, Interviews, Previews Thanks to a Wal-Mart clerk who put out the DVD in a store before its scheduled release on Tuesday and an astute reader who saw it and purchased a copy, information is now available on Dolly Parton: Behind The Scenes (see cover art at left). The DVD is being released by Dolly's Blue Eye Records, Sugar Hill parent company Welk Music Group and Americana Entertainment. It contains full-length music videos for Dolly's "Shine," "I'm Gone," and "Dagger Through The Heart," as well as Mindy Smith's "Jolene" with its Dolly cameo. But, best of all, it has a brand-new music video for "Color Me America" from next month's new CD For God And Country as well as small samples of each song on that upcoming album. In addition, Dolly is interviewed talking about that project and the tribute CD Just Because I'm A Woman: Songs Of Dolly Parton. And it's at a rock-bottom price. Although Wal-Mart's Web site is showing an already amazingly low price tag of $8.98, my friend found it for $5.88 at his local store. The DVD is expected to be released only to super-sized retailers like Wal-Mart instead of to standard video or music stores. Thanks, Jason!
Win Dolly's 1968 Classic! My apologies for the delay in getting this off the ground, but the new contest is finally here! If you haven't gotten your copy yet of Dolly's re-mastered 1968 RCA masterpiece Just Because I'm A Woman (or if you just want a second copy in your collection), you can win one from Dollymania! The album, which was released on CD for the first time in the U.S. this week by RCA parent company BMG, features two previously unreleased bonus tracks: live recordings of the title song and "Coat Of Many Colors" from Dolly's April 25, 1970, concert at Sevier County High School's gymnasium for A Real Live Dolly but which were cut from that final album. (And this was her first-ever recording of "Coat Of Many Colors," coming just a few months after she wrote the song and about nine months before she recorded it in the studio for the album of the same name.) This time, there are no questions to answer or forms to fill out. Click here to read the rules and send in your entry. It's easy! Good luck! (And don't forget about the other current contests. Visit the contest page here for more details!)
Dolly Goods Soon To Be Auctioned For A Good Cause Lifetime Television has asked Dollymania to help promote Dolly items which will soon be up for a charity auction on ebay. Items will include a trip for two to Dollywood featuring VIP access and seats at Dolly's concert there, autographed copies of Just Because I'm A Woman and an autographed dulcimer. The items are being auctioned to raise money for breast cancer awareness programs and research as part of the Women Rock! concert which Dolly filmed in Los Angeles last week and which will air on the cable network at 10 p.m. Eastern on Oct. 23. Look for more information when the auction goes live in a few days. Thanks!
Leno Recap Dolly was radiant on Thursday night's The Tonight Show With Jay Leno on NBC. Wearing a very short multi-colored skirt with shorts, she made jokes about the California recall, laughed over a 1977 photo of her with then-Mr. Universe, Governor-Elect Arnold Schwarzenegger, and even showed off her own version of a bodybuilder's "peck flexes." "My husband's gonna kick my ass!" she exclaimed afterward, adding that she usually only does that for him! She even chucked about 200 pounds of melons as part of a running segment during the show using a giant catapult (read about that, including a little about Dolly, from the PJ Starhere). She sang "Jolene" with Mindy Smith, who performs the song on next week's tribute CD Just Because I'm A Woman: Songs Of Dolly Parton. Smith appeared nervous (it was her national TV debut), and the two ran over each other's vocals on the song a couple of times, but they both seemed to have a wonderful time singing it. (And if you want to see some shots of Dolly and Mindy on the set of the "Jolene" video, go to Mindy's Web site here. Thanks, Jonathan!)
More Tribute News A story on Contact Music Friday recounts Dolly saying diva Shania Twain wept when she heard the final version of "Coat Of Many Colors" from the tribute project. "Shania said, 'Don't let anybody have 'Coat of Many Colors,' and Dolly has to sing harmony.'" Dolly recalled. "After she recorded it, I sang harmony on it and when they sent Shania the track, she just cried like a baby. I thought, 'Well, if you can live long enough and do something special enough to bring out that kind of emotion in somebody, that's what it's all about.'" Read the brief here.
And Even More! Speaking of the tribute CD, several readers have written in to say stores in their area have had it on shelves for a few days, even though it's not supposed to be available until Tuesday. One reader inquired why it was out early and reported that a storekeeper told him they put out all CDs as soon as they arrive and they were unaware its release wasn't scheduled until next week. Thanks!
'CW' Addition My apologies to my good friends Harrell Gabehart and Patric Parkey for leaving them out of Thursday night's Country Weekly recap! The couple have a great photo with Dolly and brief story on the Dolly museum in their home outside of Dallas, their meeting Dolly in person last year and their stay at her apartment at Dollywood. (For an exclusive re-cap of their experience, including photos, click here!)
Maybe We'll Call It 'Dollydar'? Using Dolly for "gaydar"? Well, that's one item of note in a column from Thursday's Boston Globe. Writer James Reed discusses the difficulty in discerning the sexual orientation of someone when in a club frequented by large numbers of both gay and straight clientele. His solution: Knowing Dolly's legion of gay fans, his DJ friend helped out by playing some Dolly, and those dancing and mouthing every word to "9 To 5" were assumed to be Friends Of Dorothy. Read it here.
Dolly's 'Bluegrass' Years Yet another Dolly compilation is coming overseas. BMG UK has announced the Oct. 27 release of The Bluegrass Collection, a gathering of Dolly recordings from 1971 and 1975 which the label says exhibit her "bluegrass-influenced period" (although really only one cut from their selections, "Mule Skinner Blues," is true bluegrass). The track listing is: The Bargain Store • My Tennessee Mountain Home • To Daddy • Mule Skinner Blues • Joshua • River Of Happiness • Old Black Kettle • Daddy's Working Boots • In The Good Old Days (When Times Were Bad) • Back Home • The Better Part Of Life • J.J. Sneed • Daddy's Moonshine Still • Coat Of Many Colours • My Blue Tears • Early Morning Breeze • In The Ghetto • Shattered Image. Thanks, Ashley!
Oct. 10: Dolly, Melissa Stun Crowd The crowd went wild several times amid the music and banter at Dolly's taping in Hollywood Wednesday with out rocker Melissa Etheridge for CMT's Crossroads series, I'm told. The pair took questions from the audience and brought some big laughs out as well. Dolly told how her first crush was on Johnny Cash when she was about 12, and Melissa then offered: "My first crush was a certain young lady on The Porter Wagoner Show!" At another point, when the two ladies were close to one another, Dolly made a joke of another recent televised pairing, joshing: "Don't make me kiss you. I'm not Madonna, I'm MaDolly!" The set list, as my source best remembers it, was as follows:
Dolly: "Come To My Window"
Melissa: "Jolene"
Dolly: "You Can Sleep While I Drive"
Melissa: "It's All Wrong, But It's All Right"
Dolly: "Bring Me Some Water" (which received a standing ovation)
Melissa: "Coat Of Many Colors"
Duet: "I Walk The Line" (a tribute to Johnny Cash)
Dolly: "I Want To Be In Love"
Melissa: "9 To 5" (with some Dolly vocals)
Duet: "I Will Always Love You" (which Dolly also led the audience in singing again after the main concert ended) Thanks, Hunter!
Reuters posted a brief review of the show early Thursday evening, saying the two's styles blended well, specifically pointing out Dolly's excellent job on "Come To My Window" and Melissa's "extra level of desperation and earthiness" on "Jolene." Read the full review here. The hour-long concert will premiere on CMT at 10 p.m. Nov. 28.
'Ultimate' Not Gone Yet Ultimate Dolly Parton slips two more spots to No. 71 on the Oct. 18 country albums chart for its 18th chart week, Billboard announced Thursday. Kenny Rogers' Back To The Well, featuring the Dolly duet on "Undercover," falls 18 places to No. 70 country, while the tribute album Livin', Lovin', Losin': Songs Of The Louvin Brothers, on which Dolly also appears, didn't sell enough copies in its first week to chart. Martina McBride's Martina debuts at No. 1 country, No. 7 pop with more than 122,000 copies sold in its first week of release, pushing Alan Jackson's Greatest Hits Volume 2 from the top country spot, where it had reigned for seven consecutive weeks. Alan's set falls two to No. 3, while Gary Allan's See If I Care debuts at No. 2 country and No. 17 pop.
Conan Appearance Coming It was announced on Thursday that Dolly will appear Nov. 13 on NBC's Late Night With Conan O'Brien . No confirmation yet on whether it's a new episode or repeat, but coming two days after the release of Fod God And Country, I'd bet it will be to promote that CD.
'Out' And About Dolly graces the "Icon" section of November's gay and lesbian general interest magazine Out on newsstands any day now. You may recall, she posed as the publication's cover story in July 1997. The page profiles a different "gay icon" in each issue.
And In 'CW' Dolly's all over the Oct. 28 issue of Country Weekly on newsstands now. She appears in a photo with Bill Anderson from a recent appearance on his satellite radio program, gets a section in Wal-Mart's "Star Stats" page and is featured in an article on Kenny Rogers' new CD, Back To The Well, which focuses largely on the album's new Dolly duet, "Undercover."
Another CMT List And Dolly's fashion sense, or criticism thereof, will make an appearance in a new special, CMT 40 Greatest Fashion Statements, premiering on the cable network Nov. 7. The show is billed as "a tongue-in-cheek look at the best and worst fashion moments and trends" in country music and features Dolly, Reba, Willie Nelson, Shania Twain, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw and more. Thanks, Christopher!
And While We're At It Speaking of CMT, the network has chosen Mindy Smith's video for "Jolene," complete with Dolly cameo, from the Dolly tribute album Just Because I'm A Woman: Songs Of Dolly Parton as this week's Featured Video on its streaming video page online. Take a look here!
More On Australian Appearance There's a little more information on Dolly's appearance on Australian television next week. The official site for the show, Rove [live], says she will appear in a segment titled "Welcome To Dollywood." The episode airs at 9:30 p.m. Tuesday on Australia's Network Ten. Thanks, Chris!
Leno Reminder And remember, if you're reading this update on Thursday night, Dolly is scheduled to perform "Jolene" with Mindy Smith on NBC's The Tonight Show With Jay Leno at 11:35 p.m. Eastern to promote next week's tribute CD release Just Because I'm A Woman: Songs Of Dolly Parton!
Oct. 8: 'Oprah' Casting Call: Dolly Fans Wanted Wanna be on The Oprah Winfrey Show? Well, they're looking for the world's biggest Dolly fan! Send in your story here! No confirmation yet on whether this topic would be included during Dolly's Oct. 20 taping of Oprah's talk show in Chicago, where she is slated to duet with Shania Twain on "Coat Of Many Colors."
Dolly, Lily To Honor Jane The E! cable network reported Tuesday that Dolly and 9 To 5 co-star Jane Fonda have been confirmed as guests to participate in the ceremony Oct. 26 at the Kennedy Center in Washington to bestow co-star Lily Tomlin the Mark Twain Prize For Comedy. The show will be taped to air Nov. 26 on PBS. This will mark just the second time in more than 20 years that the trio has appeared in public together, the other being a fundraiser for Fonda's charity in Atlanta this summer (see pics from that event here). Read the brief here. And The Washington Post mentioned the trio's appearance, adding that co-star Dabney Coleman may show up as well, in its Wednesday issue, posted online late Tuesday night here.
Americana Chart Debut Just Because I'm A Woman: Songs Of Dolly Parton debuts this week on the Americana Music Association's top 50 albums chart based on airplay, it was announced Tuesday. The CD, which hits stores next week, jumped up from No. 65 last week to No. 22 this week with cuts from it garnering with 308 "spins" this week on radio stations nationwide, up from 122 last week and zero the week before that. Most spins are coming from the collection's first single, Mindy Smith's version of "Jolene," which hit radio two weeks ago. Also in the top 50, Livin', Lovin', Losin': Songs Of The Louvin Brothers, on which Dolly also appears, moves up four spots to No. 25 with 286 spins.
Pitchin' Pumpkins Dolly better get some target practice in this week. According to a story in the PJ Star in Peoria, Ill., a local group called the Acme Catapult Company, which happens to be the world champion pumpkin-chucking team, will appear on Thursday's The Tonight Show With Jay Leno to use their equipment to toss a washing machine, refrigerator, dish washer and "something special" which will be launched on the air by Dolly herself. As was first announced here, Dolly will be appearing to sing "Jolene" with Mindy Smith to promote next week's tribute album Just Because I'm A Woman: Songs Of Dolly Parton. Read about the guys here. And speaking of The Tonight Show, British viewers will get to see it at 10 p.m. on FTN (Sky Digital Cable No. 256) on Oct. 10. Thanks, Laura and Paul!
'Power' Woman Dolly's got quite a few mentions in the new PowerSource magazine. She gets a couple of photos with Christian artist Aaron Crisler in an interview focusing on his recording a duet with Dolly on her "High And Mighty," there's a mention in a story on the Dottie Rambo tribute DVD We Shall Behold Him (on which Dolly appears), and she gets a photo and brief about her nomination for next month's CMA Awards for Female Vocalist Of The Year. But perhaps most importantly, her single "I'm Gone" from Halos & Horns debuts in the magazine's Indie Country 50 singles chart at an impressive No. 10 for October.
Leibovitz Photo To Be Unveiled A new Dolly photo by famed photographer Annie Leibovitz never before seen will be unveiled next month by the Experience Music Project in Seattle, Wash., it was announced Tuesday. According to a press release, the shot will be one of 60 of musical legends and newcomers including B.B. King, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Bruce Springsteen, Pete Seeger, Etta James, Bob Dylan, Eminem, Dr. Dre and the White Stripes. The exhibit will premiere Nov. 8 and end on Dolly's 58th birthday, Jan. 19, and comes from images in Leibovitz's new photography book, American Music, which will be published Oct. 28 by Random House. Get your copy here! Leibovitz, who started out as staff photographer for Rolling Stone magazine, shot Dolly for both that publication and Vanity Fair and did her album covers for Rainbow in 1987 and last year's Halos & Horns.
Down Under Coverage I'm told that Dolly is scheduled as a guest (most likely via satellite) next week on Australian talk show Rove Live. No information yet on what the topic of discussion will be. Thanks, Chris!
Dolly In Print I haven't seen anything on this myself, but I'm told that E! News on Tuesday reported that Dolly will be one of the artists featured in a special "Women who rock" section of the next issue of Rolling Stone magazine, which will don Alicia Keys, Missy E and Eve on its cover. Thanks, Jonathan!
Oct. 7: Tribute Preview Week 11 Sugar Hill Records continued its weekly preview of next week's tribute CD Just Because I'm A Woman: Songs Of Dolly Parton, this week featuring Allison Moorer's full-length version of "Light Of A Clear Blue Morning." You may also listen to samples of all 13 cuts on the site's e-card here, and remember CMT is doing the track-a-day promotion now here. Reserve your copy of the CD here, and visit the Dollymania page for the project here.
Two More CD Release Parties Announced I've just found out about a couple of additional CD release parties for the tribute. These are in the Orlando, Fla., area. On Friday, Oct. 17, one will be held at the Cold Keg Night Club in Melbourne with promo CD giveaways, Dolly music played throughout the evening and a Dolly impersonation show featuring Leigh Shannon. Another will be at the Full Moon Saloon on Thursday, Oct. 16. Thanks, Leigh!
Stampede Holiday The Orlando Sentinel on Monday reported that the Dixie Stampede Christmas show will be coming to Orlando. The paper reports that the Florida location of Dolly's dinner theater chain will offer the holiday program Nov. 1 through Jan. 3. Three shows have already sold out, the paper reported. However, at least six regular performances at the theater have been canceled due to low ticket sales since its opening this summer. The holiday program has become a favorite over the years at Dolly's other restaurants in Pigeon Forge, Tenn.., Branson, Mo., and Myrtle Beach, S.C. Read the full story here.
The Other 'Just Because' And remember that the digitally re-mastered Dolly classic RCA album Just Because I'm A Woman hits stores on Tuesday featuring bonus live recordings of "Coat Of Many Colors" and "Just Because I'm A Woman." Get your copy here!
Oct. 6: The Name's Parton, Dolly Parton Britain's Sky News (roughly their equivalent of CNN) on Sunday reported in its gossip column that Dolly is supposedly in talks to screen test for an evil villainess in an upcoming James Bond movie, apparently due in part to some lobbying by Bond himself, Dolly fan Pierce Brosnan, according to the report. Read it here.
New Gospel Duet Coming Christian recording artist Aaron Crisler asked me to pass along that he and Dolly have recorded a duet version of her song "High And Mighty," which originally appeared on her platinum 1993 collection Slow Dancing With The Moon. Crisler announced the recording on his Web site on Friday. In a press release, he said: "I recorded a song on my project called 'High and Mighty' that Dolly Parton wrote. It's always been my favorite gospel song of hers, and I wanted to record it. I thought about asking her to sing on it, so I did and she said yes. I was thrilled." The song is slated to appear on his debut solo album, In Good Hands, which will be released by Mountain Top Records later this month. Photos from the recording session with Dolly are available on his Web site here, and find more information from his record label's parent company here. Image at left of the two in the studio courtesy Aaron Crisler. Used with permission. Thanks, Aaron!
UK Tribute Delayed The British version of the awesome star-studded Dolly tribute album Just Because I'm A Woman: Songs of Dolly Parton, will be released a little later than expected, it has been announced. The album will come out overseas on Oct. 20, according to Amazon UK, using different cover art (see image at left) than its U.S. release, set to hit stores Oct. 14. It had originally been slated for an Oct. 13 release in England, and is still apparently on for that date in Australia. Thanks, Linda!
And A Review Roots 66, a roots music Web site, has posted its review of the tribute album. Critic Bill Yates lauds nearly all cuts on the project as suburb, noting the album is "worth your money." Read the full review here. Thanks, Bill!
'Rock' Report I'm told that E! News Live on Saturday did a story on last week's Women Rock! breast cancer benefit concert in LA. Dolly, who was the night's star performer, got a brief interview and was shown singing "I Will Always Love You" from the stage. The special premieres on Lifetime at 10 p.m. Eastern Oct. 23. Thanks, Jaron!
Library Happenings Kennewick, Wash., is getting children to sign up for Dolly's Imagination Library literacy program operating there and in three other Washington communities. But in Kennewick, officials have tied the program to a school readiness class for parents. Read a story from the Tri City Heraldhere or visit the readiness program's Web site here. Dolly's library program, originally available only in Sevier County, Tenn., has expanded to more than 200 communities nationwide in 32 states. It provides one free book per month for any child from birth to age five in a participating community whose parents register for it.
Lots Going On In LA This is the start of a big Dolly week! The digitally re-mastered 1968 classic album Just Because I'm A Woman (not to be confused with next week's tribute album of the same name) hits U.S. stores on Tuesday for the first time on CD here (get your copy here). Dolly records her CMT Crossroads concert with Melissa Etheridge on Wednesday (for broadcast Nov. 28), and she appears on NBC's The Tonight Show With Jay Leno on Thursday night to perform a duet of "Jolene" with Mindy Smith, who sings it on the tribute album.
Up A Little Down Under Ultimate Dolly Parton inches up one spot on the Australian country charts in its sixth week to No. 6, it was announced on Sunday. The CD had peaked at No. 4 on the Aussie country chart, No. 49 pop.
Oct. 4: Streaming Tribute, Bonus Interview Track The commercial music service Rhapsody this week began offering subscribers the streaming audio of the Dolly tribute album Just Because I'm A Woman: Songs Of Dolly Parton with an exclusive bonus. The site has posted an exclusive track of Dolly talking about the album and singing the chorus of "My Tennessee Mountain Home." About the CD, the site notes: "Strong female singers pay tribute to one of the best. There are names you'd expect (Alison Krauss, Shania Twain), and others you might not (Norah Jones, Sinead O'Connor). You also get reintroduced to one of the U.S.'s finest, undervalued songwriters." To read a transcript of what Dolly has to say on the bonus online track, click here, and to learn more about Rhapsody, click here. Thanks, Richard!
And A Review The Billings Gazette on Friday offered a praising review of Just Because I'm A Woman: Songs Of Dolly Parton, although it contains several errors (that Dolly sings on "Dagger Through The Heart" when she doesn't, that "To Daddy" is a new recording when it is from more than two decades ago, and that the title song is about the music industry's treatment of women when it was about sexual double standards and written in response to her husband's reaction to learning she had not been a virgin when they started dating.) Read the review here.
And An Autograph And if you order your copy of the album from Great American Country's Web site, Country Stars.com, you can get it autographed. The site is offering a limited number of the CDs autographed by Alison Krauss, Mindy Smith, Alison Moore or Dolly herself, although you don't get to choose which one you'll receive (it's a random selection). Thanks, Christian!
Oct. 3: 'Ultimate' Holding On, Kenny Debuts Ultimate Dolly Parton slips one spot to No. 69 on the Oct. 11 country albums chart in its 17th chart week, Billboard announced Thursday. Kenny Rogers' Back To The Well, featuring the new Dolly duet "Undercover," debuts at No. 52 country. Alan Jackson's Greatest Hits Volume 2 remains at No. 1 country for a seventh straight week and drops five spots on the pop chart to No. 13, while the compilation CD Totally Country Vol. 3 debuts at No. 2 country and No. 37 pop.
Tribute Preview Week 10 It was delayed a few days, but Sugar Hill Records on Thursday continued the weekly preview of its Oct. 14 tribute CD Just Because I'm A Woman: Songs Of Dolly Parton with the full version of Sinéad O'Connor's cover of "Dagger Through The Heart." You may also listen to samples of all 13 cuts on the site's e-card here, and remember CMT is doing the track-a-day promotion now here. Reserve your copy of the CD here, and visit the Dollymania page for the project here.
Vote For 'Jolene' And both CMT and Great American Country on Thursday began accepting votes for the video of the album's first single, Mindy Smith's version of "Jolene," which opens and closes with Dolly cameos. Vote for it on CMT's MWLhere and GAC's weekly countdown here.
See All The Rhinestones And Wagon Wheels Costumes worn by Dolly and former duet partner Porter Wagoner have long been on display at both Dolly's museum at Dollywood and the Country Music Hall of Fame museum in Nashville. Now a third spot is showing off their duds. A year-long exhibit recently opened at Millennium's Maxwell House Hotel in Nashville (the place where Maxwell House Coffee was born). The display, which includes some classic Porter & Dolly costumes, features various artifacts from the 21-year history of The Porter Wagoner Show, on which Dolly was a cast member for seven years early in her career.
Dolly In Print I recently finished reading the new book The Girls' Guide To Country, to be released Oct. 14 by Broadway Books. Author and filmmaker Kim Adelman offers a very easy, quick read of commentary and tales from country's history as viewed through the female's perspective. Admittedly a bit silly, and full of stories we've heard many times, it's still a fun little publication. Alongside analyses of the genre's hunks, history and fashion, Dolly pops up quite a bit. She gets brief but reverent praise in a chapter titled "Girls With Guitars And Guy Trouble," which traces women in music from Kitty Wells through Shania. Her bluegrass turn comes up in a chapter on roots music called "The Hottest Thing Going." Her dress and wig on display at the Country Music Hall of Fame are discussed in a chapter on that institution, and she gets a page in a chapter on country star hair. Get your copy here.
And Vote In Another Poll CMT.com had another poll involving Dolly on Thursday, this time asking what duet from this week's Livin', Lovin', Losin': Songs Of The Louvin Brothers tribute album fans most want to hear. As of Thursday evening, Dolly and Sonya Isaacs were in a close third place spot with 21 percent just behind Patty Loveless and Jon Randall's 24 percent. James Taylor and Alison Krauss led with half of the votes, while Glen Campbell and Leslie Satcher were in last place with 5 percent. Cast your vote here!
Oct. 2: Dolly Wows 'Em! Dolly was apparently the big attraction at Tuesday night's Women Rock! breast cancer benefit concert taped in Hollywood. The Hollywood Reporter on Wednesday afternoon posted a story (here) reviewing the show, saying Dolly and Bonnie Raitt "seemed genuinely delighted to be singing with each other, especially on Parton's wistful, sad-eyed original version of 'I Will Always Love You.'" The story said that much of the upcoming tribute CD also played a role in the night, as Dolly teamed up with Alison Krauss for "9 To 5," Mindy Smith for "Jolene" (which served as the concert finale and was joined by the entire cast) and offered her own new version of "Just Because I'm A Woman," even though to my knowledge it hasn't appeared in any films; the night's theme was music from movies. Reuters released the story to the news services, and it is also available on Yahoo here, with several photos posted here. Although the story only listed four Dolly performances, I'm told by a friend-of-a-friend who attended that Dolly actually performed six numbers, but he didn't know the names of the other two songs. Thanks! Others on the stage included host Mandy Moore, Anastacia, Celine Dion, Kenny Loggins, Mya, Debbie Reynolds and Sharon Osborne. I'm told Dolly brought the house down with her risqué lines and even repeated her standard, "It takes a lot of money to look this cheap," which resulted in thunderous laughter from the crowd. Lifetime, which will air the concert at 10 p.m. Eastern Oct. 23, has a page dedicated to it here (although it doesn't contain any new information) and is even using Dolly's photo on its front page to promote the show. Finally, Rolling Stone posted a review here Wednesday evening.
Poll: Dolly Is Country's Top Legend When the weekly newspaper Nashville Scene hits the streets on Thursday, it will dub Dolly the Best Country Legend. Dolly was bestowed the title by the public in the publication's annual Best Of Nashville Readers' Poll. In describing the diva, the paper notes: "Parton could easily coast through her career on the power of her personality. And more than most, she's earned that right. But despite appearances, she's always been an artist first and a celebrity second--never more so than in the last several years. Besides making music that ranks with the best of her career, Dolly is now the subject of one of the best tribute albums ever made in Nashville. The new Just Because I'm a Woman comes out Oct. 14 and emphasizes her songwriting, which has always been the most integral of her many talents. Fortunately, the inspired collection of artists who record her songs don't follow her lead, instead interpreting her material in ways that reveal how sturdy and meaningful her writing has been." Read the full list of the city's "Best" here!
And Another 'Top' List And Dolly is on another "top" list causing some criticism up north. Canadian gay entertainment magazine Fab last week unveiled its list of the Top 25 ultimate divas, choosing to include Dolly among artists like Nina Simone, Debroah Harry and Diana Ross. However, the list by music critic Elio Iannacci has brought a deluge of complaints from readers irate over its omissions, most notably that of Barbara Streisand and Celine Dion, according to Canada's National Post in an article Wednesday here.
Tribute Release Party Announced The official West Coast CD release party for the Dolly Oct. 14 tribute collection Just Because I'm A Woman: Songs Of Dolly Parton, has been set for Thursday, Oct. 16 at LA's Oasis Nightclub, it's been announced. DJ Wes, who also hosted the official West Coast release party for Little Sparrow at the gay establishment in 2001, says local entertainer Jackie Beat will be on hand for her own Dolly tribute by performing "9 To 5" live as well as a song titled "Dollywood," which is written to the tune of Madonna's "Hollywood." Free CDs will be given away, and anyone over 18 is welcome. Thanks, Wes!
CMT: Louvin Set Amazing And speaking of tributes, CMT on Wednesday said Livin', Lovin', Losin': Songs Of The Louvin Brothers, the tribute collection on which Dolly and Sonya Isaacs duet on "The Angels Rejoiced," is the best record released this week and the best tribute CD out so far this year. "But honestly, there's not a bad track here. How often can country fans say that?" the reviewer writes. Read the review here, get your copy of this awesome CD here, and enter the Dollymania contest to win one here!
'Windy' Dolly Dolly was all over the place in Wednesday's Chicago gay newspaper Windy City Times. There's an interview with Meshell Ndegeocello here, in which she says she recorded "Two Doors Down" for Just Because I'm A Woman: Songs Of Dolly Parton because: "I remember that song growing up. It was one of my favorites. I'm a huge Dolly Parton fan. I think she's an amazing songwriter. I was very grateful to even be approached about it. That was a lot of fun." Shelby Lynne (who does "The Seeker" on the album) tells them in another interview here that Dolly was a "huge" influence on her music, adding: "I think Dolly Parton's the greatest star in our business. She's continually brilliant. She's got it all. She's talented; she's a female that writes. Of course she's a brilliant singer, but she's a star, too. It's one thing to be a singer and a songwriter, but then when you're Dolly, you kind of sew it up (laughs)." And, finally, singer Michelle Malone says here that she "absolutely worships" the Rolling Stones, Bonnie Raitt, Linda Ronstadt, The Faces, John Lee Hooker, Neil Young and Dolly. Asked if she'd ever asked Dolly to collaborate on a song, she exclaims: "Would if I could, I love her! She's like the country Cher. Much respect."
Vote For Dolly CMT.com is asking readers to vote on which performance they're most anxious to see at this year's CMA Awards. As of last count, Dolly and Norah Jones dueting on "The Grass Is Blue" was tied in last place with just 14 percent. Go here to vote! Thanks, Robert!
Oct. 1: Dolly And Norah To Duet At CMAs Dolly and Norah Jones will duet at the Country Music Association Awards in November, the CMA announced late Tuesday morning. The pair, who will be performing together for the first time ever, will sing Dolly's "The Grass Is Blue," which Jones recorded for the Oct. 14 tribute album Just Because I'm A Woman: Songs Of Dolly Parton. The press release (available here) quickly made the news pages at CMT.com and Billboard. Dolly, who has won eight regular CMA Awards and one special award (the CMA Honors in 1993), is nominated this year for Female Vocalist Of The Year, her first nod in that category in 16 years. Other performers announced so far include Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffet, who will open the evening with "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere," Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Chesney and Patty Loveless. CMA Executive Director Ed Benson said: "Once again, 'The CMA Awards' is the place for music fans to experience these rare, once-in-a-lifetime performances from their favorite artists. The unique combinations of Dolly & Norah and Alan & Jimmy will create those exciting magical moments that 'The CMA Awards' have become known for and music fans love." Vince Gill hosts for the 12th year in a row. The show airs live on CBS at 8 p.m. Eastern on Nov. 5.
Dolly Tribute Track-A-Day On CMT And CMT.com is getting into the promotion for the tribute album, setting up a "Track A Day" preview starting at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday and continuing until Oct. 13 (although the track previews will remain active for several weeks after that date), the network asked Dollymania to announce. Visit the site's special section for the preview here or by clicking on the icon at left. Thanks, Hal!
Get 'For God And Country' Amazon.com has added a page to reserve your copy of Dolly's Nov. 11 collection of patriotic and spiritual tunes, For God And Country, to be released on her Blue Eye Records label and distributed by Welk Music Group, the parent company to Sugar Hill Records. The 16-cut CD will feature new recordings of the following songs: The Lord Is My Shepherd, The Star Spangled Banner, God Bless The USA, Light Of A Clear Blue Morning, When Johnny Comes Marching Home, Welcome Home, Gee Ma I Wanna Go Home, Whispering Hope, There Will Be Peace In The Valley For Me, Red White And Bluegrass, My Country 'Tis Of Thee, I'm Gonna Miss You, Go To Hell, Ballad Of The Green Beret, Brave Little Soldier, Tie A Yellow Ribbon, Color Me America and The Glory Forever. Advance order your copy here! And visit the Dollymania page for the project here.
Louvin Tribute In Stores Now And don't forget that the Louvin tribute Livin', Lovin', Losin': Songs Of The Louvin Brothers came out on Tuesday, featuring a gorgeous Dolly and Sonya Isaacs duet on "The Angels Rejoiced." Other artists include Joe Nichols and Rhonda Vincent, Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell, James Taylor and Alison Krauss, Vince Gill and Terri Clark, Linda Ronstadt and Carl Jackson, Marty Stuart and Del McCoury, Pam Tillis and Johnny Cash with the Jordanaires, and more. Get your copy here. You may listen to previews of all tracks on an e-card here, and don't forget to enter the Dollymania contest to win the CD and artwork here through Oct. 25!
Lily Tomlin's receipt of the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor on Sunday night garnered a good bit of coverage on Monday. According to various reports, the night started with Tomlin, Dolly and Jane Fonda exiting their limousines in quick succession, then hugging each other and posing for photos before entering the Kennedy Center for the ceremony. 
According to The Washington Post, Fonda saw Dolly's black leather miniskirt and vest and cooed: "Oooh! Look at you! I was wondering what you were going to wear!" Dolly told the audience: "Lily is not the kind of comedian who tells jokes. She's like Mark Twain. She tells us the truth about ourselves and we laugh to keep from crying." 
She also recounted that Tomlin once urged her to burn her bra, to which Dolly said she retorted "that would be a four-alarm fire!" After changing into a pink fringed dress, Dolly returned to the stage to sing "9 To 5" as the night's finale. At one point at the end, the fringe from her dress got caught in Elaine Stritch's dress, and George Lopez had to untangle them to the delight of the crowd. Many other celebrities paid tribute to Tomlin, who in her acceptance speech thanked her domestic partner of more than three decades, Jane Wagner, who has also been her artistic collaborator for most of her projects in that time as well, later telling the Associated Press that she believed Wagner deserved the award as much as she did because of her contributions to her work over the past 32 years that they have been together. See AP photos 
Some great Dolly stuff is up for grabs at ebay this week with several auctions that started on Tuesday to benefit 10 breast cancer charities in connection with next week's 
Thanks to a Wal-Mart clerk who put out the DVD in a store before its scheduled release on Tuesday and an astute reader who saw it and purchased a copy, information is now available on 
Yet another Dolly compilation is coming overseas. 
The British version of the awesome star-studded Dolly tribute album 
The official West Coast CD release party for the Dolly Oct. 14 tribute collection 
Dolly and Norah Jones will duet at the Country Music Association Awards in November, the CMA announced late Tuesday morning. The pair, who will be performing together for the first time ever, will sing Dolly's "The Grass Is Blue," which Jones recorded for the Oct. 14 tribute album 
