Dolly's new children's book, Billy The Kid, about a musical adventure with her goddog, hit stores Tuesday, and Dolly did some promoting. She was interviewed on ABC's Good Morning Americahere or in the media player above, and on NPR's All Things Consideredhere, which also used Dolly instrumentals as its outro music throughout the program. She also promoted the book a few days ago on Barnes & Noble social media here or in the media player below.
Dolly Hosts Amazon Pet Day
Following the release of the book, Dolly is also teaming with Amazon to headline its Amazon Pet Day next week. In a video posted here and in the media player above, she announced the May 2 and 3 48-hour sale which will include discounts on her own brand of pet products, Doggy Parton. The sale will also feature Amazon Live broadcasts that will include Dolly. In a press release, she said: "'Puppy Love' was my very first record and six decades later, my love for pets is stronger than ever. This inspired me to start my own line of Doggy Parton apparel, accessories, toys and more with a little 'Dolly' flair. I'm so excited to join Amazon Live alongside my god-dog, Billy the Kid, to show off some of our Doggy Parton style for Amazon Pet Day this May 2nd and 3rd. Don't forget to tune in on Amazon!"
Libraries Give Dolly Their Highest Honor The American Library Association announced that Dolly will receive its highest honor, honorary lifetime membership, for her contributions to literacy, namely the 200 million books she has distributed through her Imagination Library. The award will be presented at the ALA Annual Conference June 22-27 in Chicago. In celebration of the honor, the ALA released a new "READ" poster of Dolly holding the program's first book, The Little Engine That Could, and The Hungry, Hungry Caterpillar, for which she wrote the 50th anniversary edition foreword. Click on the poster for a larger view. In a press release, ALA President Lessa Kanani'opua Pelayo-Lozada said: "ALA is proud to bestow this well-deserving honor upon Dolly Parton in recognition of her accomplishments in the world of libraries, learning, and literacy. Her Imagination Library initiative, which was inspired by her father's inability to read or write, was launched to foster an early love of reading and learning in her hometown of Sevier Co., Tenn. Today this high-quality, book-gifting program reaches millions of children in five countries and is a shining example of her commitment to early childhood literacy and ensuring access to books for all children, which speaks to the core values of our organization."
Dolly, Garth Joke About ACM First Time Dolly and her ACM Awards co-host Garth Brooks last week released a cute new commercial for the May 11 show joking about his first time hosting. Check it out here. Dolly also revealed on Good Morning America she will debut the first single from her rock album at the end of the awards show and it is called "World On Fire."
State Superintendent Touches 'Rainbowland' Controversy Wisconsin's State School Superintendent Jill Underly weighed in on the controversy of an elementary school banning Dolly and Miley Cyrus's song "Rainbowland," saying the she was "deeply troubled" by the District's use of a controversial issues policy that is "causing undue harm to students and staff." She urged them to "change course now." Read more from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinelhere.
Monument Singles Collection Contains Error Dolly's The Monument Singles Collection album dropped on National Record Store Day, as well as a LP version of Kenny Rogers's farewell concert. However, Dolly's album had an error, as the label accidentally used the album cut "Put It Off Until Tomorrow" instead of the answer-song version that was a single, "I'll Put It Off Until Tomorrow," which the album's liner notes claim it contains.
Rehxa CD Comes Out Friday Don't forget that Bebe Rexha's new album, Bebe, featuring a Dolly collaboration on its closing track, hits stores on Friday.
U.S., U.K. Chart Updates Dolly's Diamonds & Rhinestones, The Greatest Hits Collection falls off the 100-position Billboard current albums chart after a 20-week run, down from No. 89 the previous week, the April 29 lists released Tuesday showed. The album loses two to No. 46 country albums in its 21st week. Run, Rose, Run rises one to No. 6 bluegrass albums in its 57th chart week. Overseas, Dolly's Diamonds & Rhinestones, The Greatest Hits Collection gets a 16th week at No. 1 on the British country compilation albums chart, its 22nd overall week on the list. Elsewhere on the chart, Emmylou Harris's Original Album Series: Volume 1 (with two Dolly covers, one track with Dolly harmony and one track with Trio harmony by Dolly and Linda Ronstadt) rises four to No. 15, The Complete Trio Collection Deluxe remains steady at No. 5, Very Best Of Dolly Parton Vol. 1 gains three to No. 10, and Linda Ronstadt's Original Album Series (featuring one Dolly duet and one Dolly cover) falls two to No. 9.
April 18: Old Kenny & Dolly Duet Getting New Life Kenny Rogers's estate last week revealed the June 2 release of his first posthumous album of songs from his archives curated by his widow. Life Is Like A Song will include an out-of-print Dolly duet, "Tell Me That You Love Me," which had previously only been available on a 2009 Time-Life boxed set. A press release noted the track will be a "never-before-released, remixed version" of the song. Pre-order your copy here on vinyl, digital, or CD.
'Rainbowland' Controversy Continues The teacher who revealed to the media that Dolly and Miley Cyrus's "Rainbowland" had been banned by her school was placed on administrative leave for leaking the information, and parents showed up to support her at last week's school board meeting. A local church even organized a protest performance of the song outside prior to the meeting. Read some of the coverage from national media like Peoplehere and local media like WVTM here.
Preview Of Process For Costume Book The photographers who worked on Dolly's upcoming costumes book, Behind The Seams: My Life In Rhinestones, shared their behind-the-scenes story with The Nashvillian. Read it here.
Dolly's Novel Now Out In Paperback For those who haven't read it yet, Dolly and James Patterson's No. 1 bestseller Run, Rose, Run hit paperback last week. Get yours here!
U.S., U.K. Chart Updates Dolly's Diamonds & Rhinestones, The Greatest Hits Collection dips two to No. 44 country albums in its 19th week, losing nine to No. 94 current album sales, Billboard's April 16 charts released Tuesday revealed. Run, Rose, Run slides one to No. 8 bluegrass albums in its 55th chart week. Overseas, Dolly's Diamonds & Rhinestones, The Greatest Hits Collection gets a 15th week at No. 1 on the British country compilation albums chart, its 21th overall week on the list. Elsewhere on the chart, Emmylou Harris's Original Album Series: Volume 1 (with two Dolly covers, one track with Dolly harmony and one track with Trio harmony by Dolly and Linda Ronstadt) gains one to No. 19, The Complete Trio Collection Deluxe inches up one to No. 5, Harris' Original Album Series: Volume 2 (featuring one track with Dolly harmony and two tracks with Trio harmony by Dolly and Linda Ronstadt) falls out of the top 20, down from No. 17, Very Best Of Dolly Parton Vol. 1 rises two to No. 13, and Linda Ronstadt's Original Album Series (featuring one Dolly duet and one Dolly cover) increases one to No. 7.
April 10: U.S., U.K. Chart Updates Dolly's Diamonds & Rhinestones, The Greatest Hits Collection loses three No. 42 country albums in its 18th week, dipping 15 to No. 85 current album sales, Billboard's April 9 charts released Tuesday showed. Run, Rose, Run holds steady at No. 7 bluegrass albums in its 54th chart week. Overseas, Dolly's Diamonds & Rhinestones, The Greatest Hits Collection gets a 14th week at No. 1 on the British country compilation albums chart, its 20th overall week on the list. Elsewhere on the chart, Emmylou Harris's Original Album Series: Volume 1 (with two Dolly covers, one track with Dolly harmony and one track with Trio harmony by Dolly and Linda Ronstadt) loses two to No. 20, The Complete Trio Collection Deluxe drops one to No. 6, Harris' Original Album Series: Volume 2 (featuring one track with Dolly harmony and two tracks with Trio harmony by Dolly and Linda Ronstadt) falls three to No. 17, Very Best Of Dolly Parton Vol. 1 remains steady at No. 15, and Linda Ronstadt's Original Album Series (featuring one Dolly duet and one Dolly cover) descends one to No. 8. Dolly's Run, Rose, Run falls back off the British country chart, down from No. 20 in its 47th week.
'Rolling Stone' Lists Dolly's Best Songs Rolling Stone last week released its list of Dolly's 50 best songs. Check out the full list here.
Pittsburgh Library Closing After four years of operation by the city, Pittsburgh's affiliate of Dolly's Imagination Library early childhood program is being forced to shut down due to lack of funding, WESA reported here.
April 3: Promotions Begin For New Kids' Book
With Dolly's new children's book Billy The Kid, just three weeks away, promotions are starting. Check out a social media post here or in the media player above and reserve your copy of the book here!
Miley's Charity Breaks Song Ban Silence Dolly's goddaughter and co-writer/co-performer of "Rainbowland" somewhat broke her silence last week after the story of the Wisconsin elementary school banning their song from a school program went viral internationally as a symbol of the ridiculousness of the right-wing attacks on LGBTQIA Americans. Miley Cyrus's Happy Hippie Foundation charity issued the following statement: "To the inspiring first grade students at Heyer Elementary, keep being YOU. We believe in our Happy Hippie heart that you'll be the ones to brush the judgment and fear aside and make all of us more understanding and accepting. In honor & celebration of your BRIGHT future Happy Hippie is make a donation to @lessprejudice to help make classrooms more inclusive!" The donation is to Pride and Less Prejudice, an organization that provides pre-K through 3rd grade classrooms with LGBTQ-inclusive books. The charity also shared on social media: "'We are rainbows, me and you. Every color, every hue. Let's shine on through . . . TOGETHER WE CAN START LIVING IN A RAINBOLAND.' When our founders @mileycyrus and her fairy godmother @dollyparton wrote those words together, they meant it." The teacher who originally planned for her class to sing the song, Melissa Tempel, spoke with WGN Radio last week here. Also check out a story about Miley's donation from Outhere and Rolling Stonehere. Dolly has not addressed the controversy.
Bebe Rexha Collaboration Coming April 28 Pop star Bebe Rexha last week revealed the title, release date, and track listing for her upcoming album featuring a collaboration with Dolly. The album Bebe drops April 28. Dolly's track, "Seasons," is the album's closer. Reserve your copy here.
Dolly Graces 'Woman's World' Cover Dolly is the new cover girl on Woman's World magazine, with an article about her tips for a happy and healthy Easter holiday this weekend. Check out the interview here.
'Diamonds' Recaptures U.K. No. 1 Position Overseas, Dolly's Diamonds & Rhinestones, The Greatest Hits Collection regains the pole position on the British country compilation albums chart, recapturing the No. 1 spot for a 13th week after dipping to lower numbers for seven weeks, now marking its 19th week on the tally. Elsewhere on the chart, Emmylou Harris's Original Album Series: Volume 1 (with two Dolly covers, one track with Dolly harmony and one track with Trio harmony by Dolly and Linda Ronstadt) drops seven to No. 18, The Complete Trio Collection Deluxe falls two to No. 5, Harris' Original Album Series: Volume 2 (featuring one track with Dolly harmony and two tracks with Trio harmony by Dolly and Linda Ronstadt) holds steady at No. 14, Very Best Of Dolly Parton Vol. 1 dips two to No. 15, and Linda Ronstadt's Original Album Series (featuring one Dolly duet and one Dolly cover) inches down three to No. 7. Dolly's Run, Rose, Run remains steady on the British country chart at No. 20 in its 47th week.
