9 To 5
And while Amazon.com doesn't have that title available for pre-order yet, their site did add the April 6 Madacy Records two-disc compilation Very Best Of Love on Friday for ordering here.Another Library Success Story
California State University at Stanislaus on Friday issued a press release touting the success of its Teacher Education Department's participation in Dolly's literacy program, the Imagination Library. The first attempt at hosting the project in California has distributed books to more than 2,000 preschoolers since 2002, with more than 100 children on a waiting list. Read more here.
March 26:
U.S. Charts Fairly Static
Ultimate Dolly Parton inches up five places to No. 63 in its 31st week on the Billboard country albums chart, in the April 3 numbers released Thursday. The Dolly tribute CD Just Because I'm A Woman: Songs Of Dolly Parton falls one point to No. 54 country in its 23rd chart week. As was reported here Wednesday night, Norah Jones' Feels Like Home remains at No. 1 pop for a sixth week. The album, featuring the Dolly duet "Creepin' In," also remains at No. 1 comprehensive and No. 1 on the Internet sales chart. Mindy Smith's One Moment More, with Dolly vocals on "Jolene," gains one notch to No. 16 in its eighth week on the independent labels albums chart. The tribute album Livin', Lovin', Losin': Songs Of The Louvin Brothers, featuring a Dolly-Sonya Isaacs duet, falls four spots to No. 50 country in its 17th week. Kenny Chesney's When the Sun Goes Down enjoys a seventh week at No. 1 country and inches down two to No. 7 pop, while Toby Keith's Shock'n Y'all remains at No. 2 country in its 20th week and remains steady at No. 22 pop.
Plummeting Up North
The Dolly tribute falls another 26 spots to No. 74 country in its 23rd week on the Canadian charts, it was announced Thursday. The disc had peaked at No. 7. Jones' Feels Like Home gets a sixth week at No. 1 pop.
Smith Moves To New CMT Peak
Mindy Smith's video for "Jolene" from Just Because I'm A Woman: Songs Of Dolly Parton, featuring a Dolly cameo, gains one spot to reach its new peak at No. 12 in its eighth week on the CMT Top 20 Video Countdown this week, the network announced on Thursday.
Mindy Joins The Creek
And speaking of Smith, Billboard reported Thursday that she will open for alt-bluegrass trio and Dolly labelmates Nickel Creek through late April. Even if you're not familiar with the band, you know Creek mandolin player Chris Thile from his work on Dolly's Little Sparrow, his and fiddler player Sara Watkins' appearance in her video for "Shine," and their shared billing with Dolly on her 2001 Austin City Limits appearance. (I adore their sound and categorize it as alternative rock played with bluegrass instruments.) The magazine says Smith's debut album, One Moment More, featuring a Dolly appearance, has sold 45,000 copies in the U.S. since its release two months ago. Read more here.
March 25:
Dolly To Be In The House But Not Up For Award
CMT on Wednesday announced the final four nominees in each category for the 2004 Flame Worthy Music Video Awards, and Dolly and Mindy Smith didn't make the cut. Dolly had received two preliminary nominations in a field of eight videos for Flame Worthy Female Video Of The Year for "I'm Gone" from Halos & Horns and for Flame Worthy Cameo Of The Year for her appearance in Smith's "Jolene" from Just Because I'm A Woman: Songs Of Dolly Parton, but neither made the final list. Earning nominations for the female honor are Martina McBride for "This One's For The Girls," Reba for "I'm Gonna Take That Mountain," Sara Evans for "Perfect" and Shania Twain for "Forever And For Always." Getting nominations in the cameo category are Jake the Dog in Dierks Bentley's "What Was I Thinkin'," Joe Don's rear end in Rascal Flatts' "I Melt," Motocross rider Kenny Bartram and BMX rider Kevin Robinson in Chris Cagle's "Chicks Dig It" and the cast of Brad Paisley's "Celebrity" (Jason Alexander, Jim Belushi, Little Jimmy Dickens, Trista Rehn and William Shatner). Likewise, Smith's "Jolene" had gotten a preliminary nod for Flame Worthy Breakthrough Video Of The Year, and its director, Trey Fanjoy, for Flame Worthy Video Director Of The Year, but neither was in nominations announced this week. Toby Keith headed up the nominations with four, followed by Kenney Chesney, Rascal Flatts and Alan Jackson with three each. Voting for the final nominees continues through April 18, and awards will be handed out live on CMT in the ceremony hosted by Dolly April 21.
Two new Compilations Coming
Two new Dolly compilations are heading to stores soon, it has been announced. On April 6, Madacy Records will release a two-disc set titled Very Best Of Love. Disc one will feature nine tracks from Dolly's years at RCA ("I Will Always Love You," "9 To 5," "Here You Come Again," "Do I Ever Cross Your Mind," "Think About Love," "Coat Of Many Colors," "Jolene," "Appalachian Memories," "But You Know I Love You"), and disc two will offer 10 tracks from her Columbia years ("Time For Me To Fly," "Yellow Roses," "Why'd You Come In Here Lookin' Like That," "Slow Healing Heart," "What Is It My Love," "White Limozeen," "Wait Til I Get You Home," "Take Me Back To The Country," "The Moon, The Stars And Me," "He's Alive"), according to CD Universe and Tower Records. Thanks, Michael! And on May 4, BMG Heritage will add Dolly to the list of country and pop artists it has honored with its Platinum And Gold Collection discs, issuing one with her re-mastered songs. Although a track listing has not been released, the cover art for the disc is shown at left. Thanks!
Jones On Top For Sixth Week
Norah Jones' Feels Like Home, with the Dolly duet "Creepin' In," will reign at the top of the pop albums for a sixth consecutive week when the April 3 Billboard charts are released on Thursday, the magazine announced Wednesday. The CD sold 147,000 copies the previous week, giving six-week total sales of 2.2 million, it was reported.
Coaster Gets Noticed
The new Thunderhead™ wooden roller coaster at Dollywood got a mention in the Australian publication Undercover this week. Read it here. The amusement has a smoother ride, tighter curves and more extreme banking than traditional wooden coasters, designers say, boasting a 55 miles per hour maximum speed and 100 foot maximum drop. (And if you're a season passholder, remember that the annual preview for passholders is this weekend!)
March 24:
One Goat That Won't Roast At The 'Flames'
The goat's cry you hear in one of the commercials featuring Dolly promoting CMT's April 21 Flame Worthy Video Music Awards belongs to M&M, a Nubian goat herd sire that was on hand for the recent taping of the spots. I haven't caught one of the commercials myself, but I'm told that you hear the goat but don't see it. Joann, pictured at left with her mother Ann, M&M and Dolly, is seeking screen captures from the commercial and hoping one airs soon that shows their prized goat. If you have pics available for them, e-mail Joann at love-r-goats.com@centralpets.com.
She's Blonde But No Dolly :)
Jessica Simpson will take Dolly's part in a duet of "Islands In The Stream" with Kenny Rogers on her April 11 variety show special on ABC, VH1 reported on Monday. Other guests on The Nick & Jessica Variety Hour include Jewel, Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, Mr. T. and some of The Muppets. Read a story here. (It was supposedly at the recent taping of the show that Simpson allegedly let slip the news that Dolly will reportedly play her mother when she takes the role of Daisy Duke in a film version of The Dukes Of Hazzard, although that rumor still has yet to be independently confirmed.)
March 23:
'Home,' 'Rain' Showing In Europe
Dolly's "Welcome Home" from For God And Country is getting some airplay overseas. The song debuts this week at No. 20 on the French country singles airplay chart, according to the bi-weekly charts of the European CMA posted on Monday. The track debuts at No. 165 on the overall European country airplay chart. Her song with The Larkins, "Steady As The Rain," debuts at No. 12 in France and No. 74 for overall continent-wide airplay. However, the song falls out of the top 20 country songs in Spain, down from No. 5, and Shania Twain's cover of "Coat Of Many Colors" featuring Dolly and Alison Krauss falls out of the country top 20 in the U.K., down from No. 12.
Americana Numbers Change Slightly
Mindy Smith's One Moment More, featuring Dolly on her version of "Jolene," remains steady at No. 4 on the Americana Music Association's weekly radio airplay chart with 595 spins at reporting stations nationwide, it was announced Monday. The Dolly tribute CD Just Because I'm A Woman: Songs Of Dolly Parton drops six to No. 28 with 210 spins, down from 244 the previous week, and Norah Jones' Feels Like Home, with Dolly on "Creepin' In," remains steady at No. 16 with 325 spins. The tribute Livin', Lovin', Losin': Songs Of The Louvin Brothers, with a Dolly track, falls two places to No. 30 with 182 spins.
Submit Your Dolly Tales For Paper
Pigeon Forge's weekly newspaper, The Tennessee Star Journal, is seeking stories and photos from Dolly fans for its April 2 issue celebrating the Dolly parade through town to kick off the season opening of Dollywood. The newspaper is asking for personal stories and photographs with Dolly, perhaps about a community program in the area that has touched a person's life or running into her at the grocery store. Send them to Editor - Tennessee Star Journal, P.O. Box 898, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863 or e-mail to editor@kmsfia.com.
Dove Coverage
I'm told Power Source magazine's new issue this week has an article and photo of Dolly and Dottie Rambo about their recent Dove Award nomination for the duet "Stand By The River," which is up for Recorded Song Of The Year at the April 28 Christian music awards in Nashville. The magazine also has a brief mention of the pair in a story on the nominees from Rambo's label, Spring Hill Music.
Collectors' Convention Getting Ready
Organizers of the Dolly Collectors Convention asked me to announce that while all booths have sold out, if anyone wants a booth but didn't reserve space, contact them as soon as possible and they will try to "squeeze you into the floor plan." Contact information is available on their site here or by clicking on the image at left. The convention will be held at the Smoky Shadows Hotel Convention Center from 9 p.m. until midnight on Friday, April 2, which follows the conclusion of Dolly's 6 p.m. parade through Pigeon Forge. Dolly duet partner Dottie Rambo will be on hand to meet fans between 9:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m., and the night will also feature a Best Looking Booth Contest voted on by attendees. The unofficial event is not affiliated with Dolly, Dollywood or Dolly Parton Productions.
March 22:
Jones Falls Some Overseas
Feels Like Home, Norah Jones' new CD featuring Dolly on the track "Creepin' In," slips three spots to No. 5 in its sixth chart week on the British pop albums chart, it was announced Sunday. The disc had spent its first two weeks there at No. 1 and three weeks at No. 2. In Australia, the disc inches down one spot to No. 6 pop. In Germany, the album remains at No. 1 in Friday's pop chart.
'Hooray For Dollywood'
That's the title of a great review of Dollywood appearing this week in the travel section of Creative Loafing, Atlanta's top alternative weekly newspaper. Writer Chris Stevens notes that the focus of the park is less on Dolly and more on the traditional crafts and culture of the Appalachian region of her childhood. He touts that the rides aren't quite up to Six Flags standards but "do provide thrills sufficient for all but the most jaded," and that Dolly's Chasing Rainbows museum offers a great tour of memorabilia for the Dolly fan who visits. Read the full review here. (Remember, the park opens for its 2004 season in less than two weeks, kicking off with Dolly's parade through Pigeon Forge at 6 p.m. April 2 and the park's official opening on April 3.)
'Smoky Mountain Christmas' On DVD
Dolly's 1986 ABC TV-movie A Smoky Mountain Christmas has been released on DVD overseas. The regionless disc has come out in Hong Kong. While I'm not aware of any U.S. retailers importing it for sale in stores, there are some available on ebay.
Smith's New Video Coming Soon
Mindy Smith, whose first video, "Jolene" from Just Because I'm A Woman: Songs Of Dolly Parton, features a Dolly cameo and is currently in CMT's top 20 countdown, is once again following in her new mentor's footsteps. The Music Video Wire reported over the weekend that she has completed filming on her second video, "Come To Jesus," and used director Sophie Muller, whose most recent work included directing Dolly's video for "I'm Gone" and The Dixie Chicks' "Top Of The World." She's also worked with Björk, No Doubt and Sarah MacLachlan, among others. The song comes from Smith's debut album, One Moment More, which also features her cover of "Jolene" but with Dolly harmony vocals added. Read more on the video here.
March 20:
Dolly Helps 9-11 Quilt
According to a San Diego newspaper, La Prensa San Diego, Dolly has contributed a panel for a quilt honoring the victims of the September 11th terrorist attacks. The United in Memory: 9-11 Victims Memorial Quilt will be on display Thursday through Sunday, March 25-28, at Cuyamaca College in San Diego County. The 16,000 square-foot quilt is comprised almost entirely of panels in honor of each individual victim from the attacks but also holds a handful of panels contributed by others, like Dolly, in memory of all of those killed. Exhibitions are planned in Panguitch, Utah, in June; Canton, Mich., in August; and New York City in September. Read more here.
Dolly On DirectTV Mag Cover
I'm told that a great interview and cover photo of Dolly appear in the April issue of Satellite Direct, a TV listing magazine for DirectTV subscribers. I'm told that the article, titled "Woman On Top: Dolly Parton Gets Personal About Success And Her Secret To Staying Young," runs for two pages. The cover photo is one of the publicity shots used for CMT's Flame Worthy Music Video Awards, which she hosts April 21. Thanks, Jim!
Dove Awards Move In April
The Dove Awards are moving, it was announced Thursday. The Gospel Music Association will hold the awards ceremony on April 28 at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium instead of the Gaylord Entertainment Center due to the possibility that the Nashville Predators may have an NHL play-off game at the Center that week. The same circumstances have required the Flame Worthy Awards to move to Vanderbilt. Dolly earned her first Dove nomination this year, Recorded Song Of The Year, for her duet "Stand By The River" with Dottie Rambo. No word yet on whether she will appear on the program.
Flame Worthy Reminder: Vote!
Remember if you haven't cast your ballot yet for Dolly at the Flame Worthys, votes for the preliminary nominees will only be accepted online through Sunday. Dolly is up in the first round of voting for Flame Worthy Female Video Of The Year for "I'm Gone" from Halos & Horns and Flame Worthy Cameo Of The Year for her appearance in Mindy Smith's "Jolene" from Just Because I'm A Woman: Songs Of Dolly Parton. "Jolene" is also up for Flame Worthy Breakthrough Video Of The Year, and its director, Trey Fanjoy, is up for Flame Worthy Video Director Of The Year. Go here to cast your ballots. Final nominees will be announced on Wednesday.
Library News
The Williamson County Review Appeal in Franklin, Tenn., reported Friday that Dolly's Imagination Library literacy program is coming to the Nolensville, Triune and Arrington areas of the state. Read the story here. And East Central Alabama's The Daily Home on Friday lauded efforts in Pell City, Ala., to bring the program to the area there. Read it here.
March 19:
Win A Trip To Meet Dolly!
CMT asked Dollymania to help publicize a great new contest announced on Thursday. Called CMT's Be Dolly's Guest at Dollywood Sweepstakes, the grand prize winner will receive a three-day, two-night trip for four to Dolly's Smoky Mountain theme park for its second annual Kids Fest opening June 18-20. They will receive round-trip airfare, accommodations at a mountain cabin, a family season pass to both Dollywood and Dollywood's Splash Country, VIP passes to Dollywood for the weekend, VIP passes to a Kids Fest special event featuring Dolly, VIP seats at Dolly's Dixie Stampede dinner theatre and, to top it all off, a "meet-and-greet" with Dolly herself! There is a limit of one entry per person, per 24-hour period online from Thursday through midnight April 18. For full rules or to submit an entry, please click here. You must be 21 or older and a resident of the continental U.S. to enter. Thanks, Hal!
'For God' Back Off The Charts
Dolly's patriotic and spiritual collection For God And Country falls back off the 75-position country albums chart in the March 27 Billboard figures released Thursday, down from No. 69 in its seventh chart week the previous week. Ultimate Dolly Parton earns a 30th week inching down one place to No. 68. The Dolly tribute CD Just Because I'm A Woman: Songs Of Dolly Parton falls five points to No. 53 country in its 22nd chart week and drops out of the 50-position independent labels albums chart, down from No. 40 the previous week. As was reported here Wednesday night, Norah Jones' Feels Like Home remains at No. 1 pop for a fifth week. The album, with Dolly on "Creepin' In," also remains at No. 1 comprehensive and No. 1 on the Internet sales chart. Mindy Smith's One Moment More, with Dolly vocals on "Jolene," drops one notch to No. 17 in its seventh week on the independent labels albums chart. The tribute album Livin', Lovin', Losin': Songs Of The Louvin Brothers, featuring a Dolly-Sonya Isaacs duet, gains one spot to No. 46 country in its 16th week. Kenny Chesney's When the Sun Goes Down enjoys a sixth week at No. 1 country and remains steady at No. 5 pop, while Toby Keith's Shock'n Y'all remains at No. 2 country in its 19th week and inches up two to No. 22 pop.
Dropping To The North
The Dolly tribute plummets 17 spots to No. 48 country in its 22nd week on the Canadian charts, it was announced Thursday, and Jones' Feels Like Home gets a fifth week at No. 1 pop, having sold about 16,000 copies the previous week for a five-week total of nearly 175,000 up North, compared to more than 2 million in the U.S.
Smith Holding Steady
Mindy Smith's video for "Jolene" from Just Because I'm A Woman: Songs Of Dolly Parton, featuring a Dolly appearance, remains steady at No. 13 in its seventh week on the CMT Top 20 Video Countdown this week, the network announced on Thursday.
March 18:
Jones Gets Fifth Week At No. 1
Norah Jones' Feels Like Home, with its Dolly duet on "Creepin' In," earns a fifth consecutive week at No. 1 on the March 27 Billboard pop albums chart to be released on Thursday, the magazine announced Wednesday. The CD sold 183,000 copies the previous week, giving five-week total sales of just over 2 million, it was reported.
Speaking Of Which
VH1.com this week posted an interview with Jones in which she spoke of recording with her heroes of Dolly and The Band, saying: "It was like being a kid in the candy store. That's been the coolest thing about all this - I get to meet people that I worship!" Read the full interview here.
March 17:
CMT 100 Greatest Videos To Air
CMT announced late Tuesday that it will premiere the five-hour 100 Greatest Music Videos at noon on April 4. While a list of the full 100 has yet to be released, it was noted that at least one Dolly video, "Why'd You Come In Here Lookin' Like That?," made the tally. Read more here.
Dolly Commercial Airs
I haven't seen one yet, but I'm told that CMT has started broadcasting promos featuring Dolly for the April 21 Flame Worthy Video Music Awards, which she hosts. The spot currently airing has her going over award invitations with a guy, but she gets tired of him and picks up the phone to call Shania Twain and ask her to be on the show. She says yes, so Dolly tells the guy, "Shania just RSVPed." Thanks, Christopher!
Parton Parade Plug
The Chattanoogan posted an online story Tuesday, apparently a press release from the Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism, promoting Dolly's April 2 parade through town for the season opening of Dollywood. Read it here.
Queen Of Cosmetic Surgery
I'm told that actress Linda Evans gave some props to Dolly on a recent episode of CNN's Larry King Live. When asked about her openness about cosmetic surgery, she noted: "Yes. I have had work done. I think it's a great time where you can do things like this, where, you know -- I love Dolly Parton. She's one of my favorite people of all time. And she's so completely honest. It sort of saddens me when I see somebody on television saying, 'Oh, I just live in nature that I look this way.' And you think, they're the only ones that gravity has never had their way with. I don't understand that." Thanks!
March 16:
Americana Chart Updates
Mindy Smith's One Moment More, featuring Dolly on her version of "Jolene," remains steady at No. 4 on the Americana Music Association's weekly radio airplay chart with 609 spins at reporting stations nationwide, it was announced Monday. The Dolly tribute CD Just Because I'm A Woman: Songs Of Dolly Parton drops four to No. 22 with 244 spins, down from 309 the previous week, and Norah Jones' Feels Like Home, with Dolly on "Creepin' In," moves up three notches to No. 16 with 316 spins. The tribute Livin', Lovin', Losin': Songs Of The Louvin Brothers, featuring a Dolly duet, falls five places to No. 28 with 202 spins.
Dolly Movie Rumor
There is apparently a rumor circulating that Dolly has signed on to play Daisy Duke's mother in the upcoming big screen film of the TV series The Dukes of Hazzard. I was unable to confirm the report on Monday and don't know whether it's true or not, but a reader said he heard the news on a Washington, D.C., radio show this week. The Warner Brothers Picture is expected to be out in either 2005 or 2006, and it has been reported elsewhere that Ashton Kutcher and Paul Walker will play Luke and Bo Duke, while Jessica Simpson has reportedly been tapped to play Daisy Duke. Thanks, Stephen!
March 15:
Jones Slips Some Overseas
Norah Jones' Feels Like Home, featuring the Dolly duet "Creepin' In," remains steady at No. 2 in its fifth chart week on the British pop albums chart, it was announced Sunday. The disc had spent its first two weeks there at No. 1. Down Under in Australia, the disc falls two spots to No. 5 pop; it had peaked there for three weeks at No. 2.
Dolly On Radio
A great Dolly interview (apparently from 1999 judging by the questions asked) is the featured item on the syndicated radio program American Routes this week, heard on radio stations nationwide. You may listen to a portion of the interview on their site here (click on the "Dolly Parton" link near the top of the page to open the Real Audio file). Thanks, Ray!
Fan Finalist In England Gets Prize
I'm told that in the U.K. a popular television program Stars In Their Eyes, in which contestants sing "as" their favorite celebrity, had a Dolly finalist this season. By making the top 10, the contestant won a signed pair of Dolly's jeans, an autographed photo of Dolly wearing the jeans and a video message played on the show from Dolly thanking her for being a fan and saying that they might duet together someday. Thanks, Rachel!
March 13:
Flatts, Urban To Sing At Flame Worthy
CMT announced Friday that Rascal Flatts and Keith Urban will perform at the April 21 Flame Worthy Video Music Awards. Dolly, who is hosting this year's event from Nashville, Alison Krauss & Union Station, Sheryl Crow, Toby Keith and Martina McBride are the previously-announced performers. Remember that you have only until March 21 to cast your votes here in the first round of voting (Dolly is up for two awards, and Mindy Smith's cover of "Jolene" is up for two as well). Final nominees will be announced March 24, with voting open for that round through April 18. Tickets are still available from Ticketmaster or via phone at (615) 255-9600.
March 12:
Few Changes On U.S. Charts
Dolly's patriotic and spiritual collection For God And Country gets a seventh week on the March 20 Billboard country charts released Thursday, remaining steady at No. 69. Ultimate Dolly Parton earns a 29th week moving up three places to No. 67. The Dolly tribute CD Just Because I'm A Woman: Songs Of Dolly Parton falls three points to No. 48 country in its 21st chart week and drops four to No. 40 on the independent labels albums chart. As was reported here Wednesday night, Norah Jones' Feels Like Home remains at No. 1 pop for a fourth week. The album, featuring Dolly on the rollicking tune "Creepin' In," also remains at No. 1 comprehensive and No. 1 on the Internet sales chart. Mindy Smith's One Moment More, with Dolly vocals on "Jolene," gains three places to No. 16 in its sixth week on the independent labels albums chart. The tribute album Livin', Lovin', Losin': Songs Of The Louvin Brothers, featuring a Dolly-Sonya Isaacs duet, remains steady at No. 47 country in its 15th week, while Johnny Cash's Unearthed, featuring two Dolly covers, falls back off the country chart, down from No. 71 in its 12th week last week. Kenny Chesney's When the Sun Goes Down enjoys a fifth week at No. 1 country and remains steady at No. 5 pop, while Toby Keith's Shock'n Y'all remains at No. 2 country in its 18th week and inches up one to No. 24 pop.
Moving Up To The North
The Dolly tribute moves up four spots to come in at No. 31 country in its 21st week on the Canadian charts, it was announced Thursday, and Jones' Feels Like Home gets a fourth week at No. 1 pop.
CMT Update
Mindy Smith's video for "Jolene" from Just Because I'm A Woman: Songs Of Dolly Parton, featuring a Dolly appearance, gains one spot to come in at No. 13 in its sixth week on the CMT Top 20 Video Countdown this week, the network announced on Thursday, matching its previous peak on the chart.
New Aussie Compilation
Australian independent label Rajon Music Group has secured the rights to Dolly's Columbia Records albums and will repackage 34 tracks from them onto a three-disc set titled The Great Dolly Parton, to be released there March 26. The collection features nine tracks from 1989's White Limozeen (all of the songs on there except "What Is It My Love"), seven from 1991's Eagle When She Flies, eight from 1993's Slow Dancing With The Moon, three from 1993's Honky Tonk Angels, one from 1994's Heartsongs and six from 1995's Something Special. It will be available as an import in the U.S. from Amazon here. Thanks, Sean!
Vote For Dolly!
Gospel magazine SGN Scoops has ballots available for the annual Gospel Diamond Awards, which are handed out each year at the gospel equivalent of Fan Fair, the National Quartet Convention in Louisville, Ky. While I'm told that the awards are a bit more hesitant than most in honoring non-gospel performers, nominations are open to any fans, so you may nominate Dolly and Dottie Rambo for their duet "Stand By The River" from the album of the same name, her work with Aaron Crisler on the duet of "High And Mighty" on his debut album In Good Hands and Dolly herself for her spiritual numbers from For God And Country (that's three album of the year, two duet of the year, and several song of the year potential nominees right there!). You must list five nominees for each category to participate. The ballot is available online here and must be submitted by March 31.
March 11:
Jones Disc No. 1 Again
Norah Jones' Feels Like Home, including its much-talked-about Dolly duet "Creepin' In," will reign supreme again by logging a fourth consecutive week at No. 1 on the March 20 Billboard pop albums chart to be released on Thursday, the magazine announced Wednesday. The CD sold 204,000 copies the previous week, giving four-week total sales of 1.9 million, it was reported.
Dolly Pal On CMT
Look for Mindy Smith on Saturday's MWL on CMT, the network has announced. Smith, whose current single "Jolene" from Just Because I'm A Woman: Songs Of Dolly Parton is in the network's top 20 countdown, will appear on the program this weekend, premiering at 6:30 p.m. Saturday. Her debut album, One Moment More, includes the song as well, but with Dolly providing harmonies.
'Idol' Official Wants Dolly Song
Next week's TV Guide notes that the one song American Idol music supervisor Susan Slammer wanted to clear for use on the program last season but couldn't was Dolly's "I Will Always Love You" (although the magazine refers to the song as Whitney Houston's). On another note, the article on the program's "secrets" reveals that Dolly worshipper Shania Twain refuses to allow her songs to be used on air -- her husband and co-writer, Mutt Lang, gave his OK, but not Shania.
Critic Wants 'Idol' To Use Another Dolly Song
And speaking of American Idol and "Jolene," USA Today columnist Whitney Matheson this week offered her list of the dozen songs she most wishes contestants on the program would sing, and Dolly's classic "Jolene" came in at No. 8. Matheson wrote: "This dusty Dolly hit would reel in the Southern voters. It's also super-fun to sing (and, as someone who has spent many mornings warbling it in the shower, I should know). * Tip for performers: Scowl a little. Unlike most Idol-approved songs, this one has attitude." Read her full list here.
March 9:
Americana Doesn't Change Much
Mindy Smith's One Moment More, featuring Dolly on her version of "Jolene," remains steady at No. 4 on the Americana Music Association's weekly radio airplay chart with 596 spins at reporting stations nationwide, it was announced Monday. The Dolly tribute CD Just Because I'm A Woman: Songs Of Dolly Parton drops five to No. 18 with 309 spins, down from 380 the previous week, and Norah Jones' Feels Like Home, with Dolly on "Creepin' In," moves up one notch to No. 19 with 304 spins. The tribute Livin', Lovin', Losin': Songs Of The Louvin Brothers, featuring a Dolly duet, falls one place to No. 23 with 247 spins.
Library Praise
Dolly's Imagination Library literacy program got a plug with a letter to the editor in Monday's The Tennessean. Frances Darnell lauded the project, saying: "I am very proud of our Tennessee treasure, Dolly Parton, and her inspiration for the Imagination Library." Read it here.
Ian Reflects
Janis Ian spoke highly of Dolly in an interview published this week in Houston gay and lesbian magazine OutSmart. She noted that recording with Dolly "was one of the best studio experiences of my life. She's a pro from the word go—just amazing to work with, a real pleasure." Dolly provides harmony on the track "My Tennessee Hills" on last month's release of Billie's Bones by Ian. Read the full interview here.
Bad Memories
A Cox News Service story this week on the infomercial industry brought up Dolly's failed cosmetic line with Revlon. Read the story here.
Another Tier Sells Out
Ticketmaster on Monday showed another level of tickets for the April 21 CMT Flame Worthy Video Awards, to be hosted by Dolly, has sold out. The mid-level tickets, $75 each plus service charges, sold out on Monday, following Sunday's selling out of the $100 seats. Tickets in the $25 admission range remained available as of early Monday evening here or via phone at (615) 255-9600.
March 8:
Jones Still Doing Well Overseas
Norah Jones' Feels Like Home, with Dolly dueting on the track "Creepin' In," remains steady at No. 2 in its fourth chart week on the British pop albums chart, it was announced Sunday. The disc had spent its first two weeks there at No. 1. In nearby Ireland, the disc falls one spot to No. 2 after three weeks at No. 1, but the CD that replaced her new one at the top spot was her debut album, Come Away With Me. Down Under in Australia, the disc falls one to No. 3 after three weeks at No. 2.
Larkins Track Debuts In Europe
Dolly, The Larkins and Shania are getting airplay overseas, the European CMA noted in its chart update on Saturday. The cover of "Steady As The Rain" by The Larkins featuring Dolly harmony debuts this week at No. 169 for the overall continent country airplay and No. 5 country in Spain. Shania Twain's version of "Coat Of Many Colors" featuring Alison Krauss and Dolly on harmony from Just Because I'm A Woman: Songs Of Dolly Parton, enters the U.K. country airplay chart at No. 12. Mindy Smith's "Jolene" from the same album falls out of the French country top 20, down from No. 10, and out of the top 200 overall, down from No. 43, while Dolly's "Hello God" from Halos & Horns falls out of the top 200 overall airplay chart, down from No. 93.
Flame Worthy Tics Still For Sale
Tickets went on sale Saturday for Dolly's gig hosting the April 21 CMT Flame Worthy Video Awards, and it took until Sunday afternoon for the best seats ($100 each plus service charges) to sell out. As of early Sunday evening, plenty of seats remained in the two other price categories ($25 and $75 each, plus service charges) from Ticketmaster or via phone at (615) 255-9600.
March 6:
Swedes Love Them Some Dolly
I'm told that Ultimate Dolly Parton moves up one spot to No. 8 on the Swedish pop albums chart this week. Thanks, Filip!
Flame Worthy Ticket Reminder
If you want to see Dolly host the 2004 CMT Flame Worthy Video Awards in person on April 21, remember that tickets go on sale at 10 a.m Saturday from CMT.com, Ticketmaster and via phone at (615) 255-9600.
March 5:
Dolly Back On The Charts
Post-CBS News Sunday Morning sales get Dolly back on the Billboard charts released Thursday. For God And Country re-enters the March 13 country tally at No. 69 for a sixth week (it had previously peaked at No. 23), and Ultimate Dolly Parton re-enters at No. 70 for a 28th week (it had previously peaked at No. 20). The Dolly tribute CD Just Because I'm A Woman: Songs Of Dolly Parton falls three points to No. 45 country in its 20th chart week and drops 11 to No. 36 on the independent labels albums chart. As was reported here Wednesday night, Norah Jones' Feels Like Home remains at No. 1 pop for a third week. The album, with Dolly dueting on "Creepin' In," also remains at No. 1 comprehensive and No. 1 on the Internet sales chart. Mindy Smith's One Moment More, with Dolly guest vocals on "Jolene," loses three places to No. 19 in its fifth week on the independent labels albums chart. The tribute album Livin', Lovin', Losin': Songs Of The Louvin Brothers, featuring a Dolly duet, inches down two places to No. 47 country in its 14th week, while Johnny Cash's Unearthed, featuring two Dolly covers, slips 11 on the country chart in its 12th week, coming in at No. 71. Kenny Chesney's When the Sun Goes Down enjoys a fourth week at No. 1 country and remains steady at No. 5 pop, while Toby Keith's Shock'n Y'all remains at No. 2 country in its 17th week and loses four to No. 25 pop.
Falling To The North
The Dolly tribute CD drops 15 spots to come in at No. 35 country in its 20th week on the Canadian charts, it was announced Thursday, and Jones' Feels Like Home gets a third week at No. 1 pop.
CMT Update
Mindy Smith's video for "Jolene" from Just Because I'm A Woman: Songs Of Dolly Parton, featuring a Dolly appearance, loses one spot to come in at No. 14 in its fifth week on the CMT Top 20 Video Countdown this week, the network announced on Thursday. The video had peaked last week at No. 13.
From Hollywood To Dollywood
Debbie Reynolds' upcoming movie museum in Pigeon Forge got a story in Thursday's Knoxville News Sentinel, with the Hollywood diva joking about being short, just like Dolly, whose theme park is down the road. "She's adorable," Reynolds said of Dolly. "I can't wait to know her better. I don't know how much time she's here, but I'll be here (frequently), so I'll have her over for some of my black-eyed peas and corn bread." Read the full story here.
March 4:
Jones To Take Top Spot Again
Norah Jones' mega-popular sophomore album, Feels Like Home, will reign supreme once again with a third week at No. 1 on the March 13 U.S. pop albums chart to be released Thursday, Billboard announced on Wednesday. The CD, which features the wonderful Dolly duet "Creepin' In," moved 280,000 copies last week to bring its three-week sales total to more than 1.7 million units.
Female Arts Group Salutes Dolly
Chicago arts program Estrojam will offer a Dolly tribute show at Martyr's (3855 N. Lincoln Avenue) on March 25, the Windy City Times reported on Wednesday. The show will include a Dolly costume contest with a $100 prize; feature performers including Anna Fermin, Amy Matheny, Anne Harris, Andrea Bunch with Aerin Tedesco, Stolie, Lexie Bloor, Wild Graces and Shana Spiegel; plus offer a designer underwear auction with pieces by Chicagoland artists including Pussy Galore, Dyke Diva and more. Tickets are $10 in advance or $12 at the door. Proceeds from the show will benefit Estrojam, an annual national women's arts festival on music, broadcasting, filmmaking and carpentry held in Chicago.
Author Loves Tribute CD
Author Karin Slaughter says she is "in LOVE" with the Dolly tribute album Just Because I'm A Woman: Songs Of Dolly Parton. She praised the project in her e-newsletter sent to fans this week, noting: "Anybody who knows me knows I love me some Dolly, but this album is such a treat. Shelby Lynne, Norah Jones, Emmylou Harris, Alison Krauss...does it get any better than this?" Thanks, Ray!
March 3:
Nashville, Nation Cover Award Ceremony
Dolly's award presentation on Monday from the literacy organization NashvilleREAD in honor of her Imagination Library efforts continued to get coverage on Tuesday with a story and photo in The Tennessean here and an Associated Press report carried by many newspapers and available from ABC News here.
Debbie Coming To Pigeon Forge
Debbie Reynolds will locate her Hollywood memorabilia museum in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., but not at Dollywood itself, the Associated Press reported on Tuesday. Reynolds had said in earlier interviews that she was in negotiations to possibly open her Hollywood Motion Picture Museum as part of Dolly's theme park after failing to secure a location in Los Angeles, but instead the $50 million collection of items and costumes from almost every Academy Award-winning picture in history will anchor the new Belle Island Village development in Pigeon Forge, the city where Dollywood is also located. Read the story here.
March 2:
Dolly Picks Up Reading Honor
Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen was on hand in Nashville Monday to present Dolly with the NashvilleREAD second annual Reading Works! Award. Local station WSMV on Monday night offered a great story from the event with lots of Dolly footage available online here (it's more than two minutes long -- click on the "featured videos" section). And TV station WTVF reported on it with a brief here. The award also made Monday's Nashville City Paper here.
More Coverage For The Library
And speaking of the governor, his plans to promote literacy in Tennessee, which focus largely on giving challenge grants to help communities across the state to adopt Dolly's Imagination Library program, earned him the "New Dem Of The Week" honor on the site New Democrats Online this week. Read it here and visit the governor's page dedicated to Dolly's library program here. Dolly's literacy program started in her native Sevier County, Tenn., in 1996 and expanded nationwide in 1999. Today, it operates in more than 260 communities across 35 states providing more than 1 million books per year to children. The program mails one free book per month from birth to age 5 to every child in a participating community whose parents sign up. The Dollywood Foundation covers administrative costs, while local sponsors pick up the tab for book purchase and postage, about $27 per child annually. Gov. Bredesen has set aside $2 million of the state's budget to provide challenge grants to groups which raise matching funds to operate the program in their communities across Tennessee.
Little Change On Americana Chart
Mindy Smith's debut CD, One Moment More, featuring Dolly vocals on her cover of "Jolene," inches up one spot to No. 4 on the Americana Music Association's weekly radio airplay chart with 555 spins at reporting stations nationwide, it was announced Monday. The Dolly tribute project Just Because I'm A Woman: Songs Of Dolly Parton remains steady at No. 13 with 380 spins, down from 401 the previous week, and the tribute Livin', Lovin', Losin': Songs Of The Louvin Brothers, which includes a Dolly track, falls three places to No. 22 with 284 spins.
March 1:
Flame Worthy Awards Move To New Home
The location of the April 21 CMT Flame Worthy Video Awards has moved, and Toby Keith and Martina McBride have been added to the list of performers, it was announced over the weekend. According to Brad Schmidt, celebrity columnist at The Tennesseean, the awards will move to the Vanderbilt University Memorial Gym because the Nashville Predators, the city's professional hockey team, are expected to make the national playoffs, which would require their using the Gaylord Entertainment Center in April. Other performers at the ceremonies will be hostess Dolly, Shania Twain, Sheryl Crow and Alison Krauss. Tickets go on sale Saturday on Ticketmaster and CMT.com. Read the story here. Remember, Dolly is a preliminary nominee in two categories and Mindy Smith's cover of "Jolene" also has a couple of preliminary nominees, so vote here to get them in the final nominees to be announced March 24!
Dolly Shines On CBS
As usual, Dolly was great on CBS News Sunday Morning this weekend with Dan Rather. The interview didn't cover much that wasn't in the online version of the story from Friday , but it offered many great clips including an Opry appearance in the mid-1990s, part of the "Dagger Through The Heart" and "Shine" videos, footage from Dollywood's opening weekend in 2000 and 2003, the video shoot for "Welcome Home," and several television concert appearances (including a couple of seconds each from many that are rarely shown today). She discussed her work, her businesses, her spirituality, depression, songwriting, plastic surgery and more while wearing a great red outfit with a U.S. flag shawl. Read the online version of the story here.
'Home' Still Doing Well
The new Norah Jones disc Feels Like Home, featuring her great Dolly duet on "Creepin' In," remains steady for a third week at No. 2 on the Australian pop albums chart and falls one spot to No. 2 on the U.K. pop albums chart after two weeks at No. 1, it was announced Sunday.
Dolly Inspires Restaurant
The Chicago Tribune reported over the weekend that Dolly's song "Sugar Hill" from Halos & Horns has inspired a restaurant. Food And Wine magazine's Best New Chef Kelly Courtney, formerly of the restaurant MOD, is opening her own place, called "sugarhill," which she named after the Dolly song. To be located along the northeast corner of May Street and Chicago and Milwaukee Avenues, it is described as having a "farm-focused American menu." Read more here.
Ozzy, Dolly. Dolly, Ozzy
A friend caught a recent episode of MTV's The Osbournes with a Dolly mention. I'm told that the show opened with Sharon and Ozzy in bed discussing how William Penn came to America and founded Pennsylvania. Ozzy says that if he had discovered land he would have called it "Prince Of Darkness Land," to which Sharon replied, "Ozzyland. You and Dollyland." Ozzy quickly added: "She looks f***in' great, Dolly Parton." Thanks, Greg!
Don't Forget
And as was reported here weeks ago, Dolly will be honored Monday with the Reading Works Award from NashvilleREAD for her efforts to promote literacy. Unfortunately, your Webmaster could not travel to the event, but if I come across any other reports of it, they will be passed along here.
Dolly's 1978 Bally pinball machine got about half of the space in an article this week by Game Room Magazine on celebrity Bally games. The story includes many wonderful behind-the-scenes notes from the designing of the game, including what artistic license she wanted the designer to take with her image and the fact that she rejected a cowgirl-type rendering that was initially submitted. The writer laments that her game has not reached the collectibles status of other Bally releases from that era but predicts it will one day be among the most sought-after pieces. Read the full story