June 23: Dolly Announces December Vegas Residency Nine years after what became her final tour (she announced during COVID she had retired from touring) and after only a handful of one-off charity shows since then, Dolly on Monday announced a six-concert mini-residency in The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. The "hits and fan favorites" show, called Dolly: Live in Las Vegas!, will run 8 p.m. Dec. 4, 6, 7, 10, 12, and 13 during the National Finals Rodeo. Dolly has not played an extended run in Vegas since 1993 (although she has stopped in town, including in The Colosseum itself, for one-night engagements on more than one tour in the 2000s-2010s) and her first Vegas run in the early 1980s was at that time the highest per-performance salary ever paid to a Vegas entertainer. In a statement, she said: "To say I'm excited would be an understatement. I haven't worked Vegas in years and I've always loved singing there. I'm looking so forward to the shows in The Colosseum at Caesars and I hope you are as well. See you there!" Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Pacific time (1 p.m. Eastern) Wednesday. While ticket prices aren't yet known, but several premium and VIP packages will be offered, including the following benefits:
"What Would Dolly Do?" Merch Package
Ticket to the show
Limited Edition Dolly Art Print
Exclusive Dolly: Live in Las Vegas VIP Gift Set
Welcome Kit: includes Commemorative VIP Laminate, special augmented reality message from Dolly and more
Dedicated VIP Check-in Area
Onsite VIP Host
Early Merch Shopping
"Dolly Forever" VIP Package, same as above plus:
Premium Ticket
Dolly's Rhinestone Lounge: An exclusive VIP pre-show reception
Drink ticket
"Hello, Dolly!" VIP Experience Upgrade same as above except ticket sold separately plus:
Personal Photo Op with Dolly: Get up close and personal with the Icon herself! This once-in-a-lifetime experience includes a professionally captured photo with Dolly Parton
Two drink tickets
Star of the Show VIP Experience same as above plus:
Premium Ticket
Behind-the-curtain Onstage Tour: See the inner workings of the production that makes the show come to life
Motley Crue Duet Released For Charity
In an interesting who-woulda-thunak, a rumor turned into truth in the Dolly fandom last Friday when a revised version of Motley Crue's 1985 hit "Home Sweet Home" with Dolly's vocals added as a collaboration was released. On Thursday morning, someone had posted a picture of "Dolly Crue" on fan social media outlets with the claim "Home Sweet Home" was coming at midnight. Fans reported the posts as fraud and several made comments calling for them to be taken down as lies. But by afternoon, Motley Crue's record label had officially announced the duet. It will be included on the band's upcoming career retrospective album From The Beginning, hitting stores Sept. 12. Partial roceeds from the new single will be donated to childhood housing charity Covenant House. In a statement, Dolly said: "It was an honor and a joy working in the studio on Mötley Crüe's 40th Anniversary re-release of 'Home Sweet Home. I was so pleased that they would ask me to sing on such a classic." Special merch for the single is available on the band's website here. Stream the music video, which intersplices current footage of Dolly recording her vocals with the original video from 1985, on YouTube here or in the media player above, and download the track from Amazon here.
Dolly Selected For Honorary Oscar Dolly was announced Tuesday as one of this year's four honorary Oscar recipients. The awards will be presented at the 2025 Governors Awards in November. Dolly will be presented an Oscar statuette for the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award. The Academy explains the award is given "to an individual in the motion picture arts and sciences whose humanitarian efforts have brought credit to the industry by promoting human welfare and contributing to rectifying inequities." In making the announcement, Academy president Janet Yang said in a release: "This year's Governors Awards will celebrate four legendary individuals whose extraordinary careers and commitment to our filmmaking community continue to leave a lasting impact. The Academy's Board of Governors is honored to recognize these brilliant artists. Debbie Allen is a trailblazing choreographer and actor, whose work has captivated generations and crossed genres. Tom Cruise's incredible commitment to our filmmaking community, to the theatrical experience, and to the stunts community has inspired us all. Beloved performer Dolly Parton exemplifies the spirit of the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award through her unwavering dedication to charitable efforts. And production designer Wynn Thomas has brought some of the most enduring films to life through a visionary eye and mastery of his craft." She has twice been nominated for Oscars for Best Original Song: "9 To 5" and "Travelin' Thru."
British, Aussie, American Chart Updates Across the pond, Very Best Of Dolly Parton Vol. 1 remains at No. 2 British country compilation album, while her Diamonds & Rhinestones, The Greatest Hits Collection falls five to No. 11, Emmylou Harris' Original Album Series Volume 1, featuring Dolly appearances, and The Complete Trio Collection Deluxe fall out of the top 20, down from No. 13 and No. 17, respectively, while Dolly Parton & Family: Smoky Mountain DNA -- Family, Faith & Fables re-enters at No. 14. Elsewhere on the U.K. charts, Sabrina Carpenter's Short & Sweet Deluxe Edition, with its Dolly duet, gains one to No. 3 U.K. pop, down two to No. 20 Scottish albums, six to No. 24 album sales, and 12 to No. 22 physical album sales, re-entering downloads at No. 91, and remaining at No. 1 streaming albums. Post Malone's F 1 Trillion, with its Dolly duet, rises two to No. 6 country albums. Beyonce's Cowboy Carter, with its Dolly appearances, bumps up one to No. 3 British country albums and No. 26 streaming, loses one to No. 2 Americana albums and six to No. 40 pop, and falls off the downloads chart, down from No. 41.
Down Under, Carpenter moves up one to No. 3 pop albums, Malone stays steady at No. 6 Australian country albums, Beyonce dips one to No. 36 country, and Dolly's Diamonds & Rhinestones, The Greatest Hits Collection climbs two to No. 25 country.
Stateside, the June 21 Billboard charts find Carpenter up one to No. 7 pop albums, down three to No. 14 sales, up two to No. 5 streaming, and up three to No. 3 Canadian albums. Malone slides two to No. 27 pop albums, remains steady at No. 17 Canadian albums, loses three to No. 22 streaming albums and holds on at No. 5 country albums. Beyonce falls 60 to No. 96 pop albums, six to No. 29 country albums and four No. 13 Americana albums
Hidden Hollow Aviation Coming To Dollywood Dollywood has begun teasing next year's major indoor dark ride addition, anticipated to be officially announced in September. The name Hidden Hollow Aviation was revealed Monday with a site to register for future information releases here along with a video of soaring through the Smokies at night viewable here or in the media player below. Park officials have previously said the ride will be the first of its kind anywhere and the largest investment in the park's history.
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June 17: New Duet With Heidi Released
Dolly's niece Heidi Parton this month released a new album, Reflections, featuring a cover of an unreleased Dolly song on the title track as well as covers of Dolly's previously-recorded "Burning" (written by Dolly and her Uncle Bill Owens) and "Sure Thing" as well as several songs written by her father and other relatives. It also features a Dolly duet on the track "The Gift," which Heidi and Jimmy Lee Bryant wrote in honor of Randy Parton and Bill Owens. Download your copy here and stream on YouTube here or in the media player above.
Dolly Opens Florida Pirates Voyage
Dolly was down in Florida this month to officially open her third Pirates Voyage dinner theater. The $60 million, 60,000-square-foot facility with an indoor lagoon opened in Panama City Beach with Dolly donning pirate garb. Click on each of the Curtis Hilbun-taken provided photos for a larger version and watch the provided video of Dolly's appearance and media Q&A in the media player above or on YouTube here.
"I always find so much joy in developing entertainment projects that bring families together to create memories that will last long after their visit, and my new Pirates Voyage dinner show does that and more," Dolly said in a statement. "Seeing my new show open here in Panama City Beach is another dream come true for me. I love going into new areas of the country and finding ways to bring truly world-class entertainment experiences to the folks there – and a great dinner feast, too! That would be my perfect way to spend a night out, especially at the beach."
"The excitement and adventure in Pirates Voyage is something I have loved being a part of, and I loved writing the song that our beautiful mermaids perform to – 'Sail Away.' Above all, I see myself as a storyteller, and this is an entertaining experience that combines so many elements in one show that people will want to experience it again and again. I know that I never get tired of seeing this show where you get to actually be part of the pirate crew – where else can you do that?! I hope everyone who lives here comes to visit and will join the fun with us – we'll even teach you how to speak some pirate talk. Ahoy!" Dolly quipped.
"I promise that Pirates Voyage will be the most fun place to eat in Panama City Beach," Dolly said. "Take it from me – every part of this pirate feast is delicious so be sure to come hungry!"
"The atmosphere and the people here in Panama City Beach have been so welcoming and excited to have us here; it certainly reminds me of the other great family-oriented areas where we have my dinner shows," Dolly said. "I love helping families make the best memories when they are on vacation, and that's what everyone in Panama City Beach focuses on, too. To me, it has been the perfect place to open this new Pirates Voyage."
Additional coverage is available from WJHG here, FOX News here and here, News Heraldhere, WMBB here, FOX 10 here and Entertainment Tonighthere.
Dollywood Opens Summer Fest
Dollywood on Saturday kicked off the Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration with its Sweet Summer Nights Dance Party and Drone Show featuring nightly fireworks, the Gazillion Bubble Show: Evolution, Perondi's Stunt Dog Experience, and the continuation of "Play On," the 40th anniversary retrospective of past shows. In other news, the park was recently named by Newsweek to its list of America's Greatest Workplaces 2025 based on survey results that made it one of only three theme park companies to make the cut. Finally, the park's documentary on its 40 years of operations, The Dollywood Dream, has officially been added to the park's YouTube channel and is viewable here and in the media player above.
'Forbes': Dolly Is Still The $450 Million Woman Dolly's net worth remained steady from last year at $450 million, Forbes magazine revealed last week in its updated list of the nation's top self-made women. Dolly came in at No. 78 on the tally, down from No. 76 last year. She tied with Ellen Degeneres at No. 12 on the list of America's richest self-made female celebrities.
'Hollywood Reporter': Give Dolly An Honorary Oscar The Hollywood Reporter last week opined that Dolly should be recognized by the Academy Awards with an honorary Oscar. The publication decided on 100 legends who have not received regular Oscars that they felt were deserving of recognition, and Dolly was the third person chosen for the list, the top suggestion for the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award for remarkable service to others for her philanthropic endeavors. Read more here.
New Jewelry Line Released Dolly has released her second collection of song-inspired jewelry in collaboration with Kendra Scott, this time calling it "I Will Always Love You." Check out each piece in a story from The Hollywood Reporterhere.
More Details On Nashville Museum Nashville Business Journal last week gave some additional previews of Dolly's upcoming museum in her Music City hotel. Check it out here.
U.S., U.K., Aussie Chart Listings Across the pond, Very Best Of Dolly Parton Vol. 1 sits at No. 2 British country compilation album, while her Diamonds & Rhinestones, The Greatest Hits Collection is at No. 6, Emmylou Harris' Original Album Series Volume 1, featuring Dolly appearances, is at No. 13, and The Complete Trio Collection Deluxe is at No. 17. Elsewhere on the U.K. charts, Sabrina Carpenter's Short & Sweet Deluxe Edition, with its Dolly duet, is at No. 4 U.K. pop, No. 18 Scottish albums, No. 18 album sales, No. 10 physical album sales, and No. 1 streaming albums. Post Malone's F 1 Trillion, with its Dolly duet, is at No. 8 country albums. Beyonce's Cowboy Carter, with its Dolly appearances, is at No. 4 British country albums, No. 1 Americana albums, No. 34 pop, No. 26 streaming and No. 41 downloads.
Stateside, the June 14 Billboard charts find Carpenter at No. 8 pop albums, No. 11 sales, No. 7 streaming, and No. 6 Canadian albums. Malone is No. 25 pop albums, No. 17 Canadian albums, No. 19 streaming albums and No. 5 country albums. Beyonce is No. 96 pop albums, No. 23 country albums and No. 9 Americana albums.
June 3: Dolly Talks More About Carl's Passing Dolly recently spoke with the Associated Press about losing her husband, Carl. Read the interview here and see a video excerpt here.
'People': Dolly Anxious About Play Dolly spoke recently with People magazine about her reaction to her upcoming Broadway-adaptation of her life story as an original musical. Read here why she is anxious about its Nashville out-of-town previews.
New Museum Opens Website Dolly's upcoming Nashville museum, Dolly's Life of Many Colors, on Monday premiered its new website here with an artist's rendering of the interior concept for the largest-ever display of Dolly's life and career memorabilia and artifacts when it opens in 2026 at her new Nashville Songteller Hotel. The site also includes a newsletter sign-up link.
Dolly Costime Sells For $19.5K Julien's Auctions hosted its latest music icons auction over the weekend, and Dolly's 1975 Hee Haw-worn pink bellbottomed jumpsuit went for $19,500.
Dollywood Named America's Best Again Dollywood recently was announced for the third year in a row as the nation's favorite theme park as voted by polling of the National Amusement Park Historical Association. Read more here.
New Mexico Takes Imagination Library Statewide New Mexico's governor announced last week that the state is the latest to take Dolly's Imagination Library early childhood literacy program statewide. Read more here.
Family Discographies Added To Fan Site The Dolly fan site Dolly Discography over the past couple of months has worked to create a discography online of Dolly's family members. Check out the Owens-Parton Discography here.
Chasing Rainbows Award Given To Iowa Teacher Ernie Schiller, a retired science teacher in Donnellson, Iowa, was recently honored with this year's Dolly Parton Chasing Rainbows Award from the National State Teachers of the Year Association. Learn more about him from Pen City Current here.
U.K., U.S., Aussie Chart Updates Across the pond, Very Best Of Dolly Parton Vol. 1 regains the top spot on the British country compilation albums chart, inching up one to No. 1, while her Diamonds & Rhinestones, The Greatest Hits Collection slips one to No. 8, Emmylou Harris' entries in the Original Album Series, both featuring Dolly appearances, sees Volume 1 gain two to No. 15 and Volume 2 fall back out of the top 20, down from, No. 16, while Linda Ronstadt's entry in the collection, also featuring Dolly appearances, re-enters the top 20 at No. 16. Elsewhere on the U.K. charts, Sabrina Carpenter's Short & Sweet Deluxe Edition, with its Dolly duet, also retakes the top spot, moving up one to No. 1 U.K. pop, gaining one to No. 16 Scottish albums, losing one to No. 20 album sales, losing two to No. 20 physical album sales, and holding steady at No. 100 downloads and No. 1 streaming albums. Post Malone's F 1 Trillion, with its Dolly duet, rises two to No. 2 country albums. Beyonce's Cowboy Carter, with its Dolly appearances, rises one to No. 4 British country albums and slides four to No. 6 Americana albums.
Down Under, Carpenter regains two to No. 2 pop albums, Malone stays at No. 6 Australian country albums, and Beyonce dips one to No. 32 country while Dolly's Diamonds & Rhinestones, The Greatest Hits Collection falls two to No. 27.
Stateside, the May 31 Billboard charts find Carpenter gain one to No.7 pop albums, hold steady at No. 11 sales, rise one to No. 8 streaming, remain steady at No. 11 current albums, and inch up one to No. 6 Canadian albums. Malone drops one to No. 25 pop albums and two to No., 17 Canadian albums, four to No. 26 streaming albums and one to No. 5 country albums. Beyonce moves up four to No. 67 pop albums, three to No. 14 country albums and one to No. 7 Americana albums.
Dolly was down in Florida this month to officially open her third Pirates Voyage dinner theater. The $60 million, 60,000-square-foot facility with an indoor lagoon opened in Panama City Beach with Dolly donning pirate garb. Click on each of the Curtis Hilbun-taken provided photos for a larger version and watch the provided video of Dolly's appearance and media Q&A in the media player above or on YouTube here. 
