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www.dollymania.net News October 2023 Oct. 30: Dolly's latest coffee table autobiography Behind The Seams: My Life In Rhinestones, the second in her trilogy of "My Life In" books, debuts this week at No. 4 hardcover nonfiction and No. 5 combined hardcover and ebook nonfiction on the coveted New York Times Best Seller List. The tome also debuts at No. 6 on the Publisher's Weekly nonfiction list of best sellers in current titles for the week and comes in at No. 28 on the USA Today list of all of the best-selling books of the week regardless of genre. Dolly previously made the Times nonfiction hardcover list at No. 3 with the first installment in the series, Songteller: My Life In Lyrics, her advice book Dream More at No. 19, and her original autobiography from 1994, My Life And Other Unfinished Business. She also hit No. 1 on the paper's hardcover fiction list for five weeks with James Patterson and their novel Run, Rose, Run and No. 6 on the paper's Children's Picture Books best seller list earlier this year with Billy The Kid Makes It Big. The companion exhibit to the book opened at Lipscomb University in Nashville and Dolly was present to cut the ribbon. Check out footage of the ribbon cutting from Nashville's FOX 17 here or in the media player above and a gallery of images from the opening posted by the University in the embedded post here or below. 'Mama He's Crazy' Duet Drops Dolly's duet with Lainey Wilson on "Mama He's Crazy" from the new Judds tribute album dropped Friday. Stream it here or in the media player above and download it here. Watch Dolly talk about the collaboration on her Facebook feed here or in the media player below. Cracker Barrel Says More Dolly Detail Monday 'Wrecking Ball' Debuts On U.K. Chart Broadway Dolly Bio Gets Table Read 'Mountain Magic' DVD Coming Tuesday '9 To 5' Makes New 'Trolls' Sequel Oct. 26:  Dolly is partnering with Cracker Barrel again, this time to promote her new rock album. The company's CEO disclosed in an investor call about a month ago that the chain would collaborate with her starting in "late October" to highlight their new rewards program and promote the album, which will be sold in the restaurant upon release. Dollymania.net has learned the core of the promotion will be a special limited edition Dolly Rockin' Chair in black with the album logo on one side and Dolly's signature and butterfly logo on the other. We're told the chairs will not be available for sale but instead will be limited to a nationwide contest to sign up for their rewards program and be entered to win one of about 500 Dolly Rockin' Chairs, or almost one winner per store. Click on the image above for a larger view. 'Rockstar' Cinema Event Finally Announced Dolly's management on Wednesday officially announced the upcoming international cinema preview party for her Rockstar project, which was first reported on Dollymania.net two and a half weeks ago. The preview will provide first listens to selections from the album as well as never-before-seen behind-the-scenes footage, music videos, an exclusive interview with Dolly, a never-before-seen performance of "Circle Of Love" and a performance of "9 To 5." A portion of proceeds from ticket sales will benefit Music Will, the largest nonprofit music program in the U.S. public school system. In a press release, Dolly said: "I am excited to know that my fans around the world will be able to come together and be the first to hear a sneak peek of my Rockstar album. I am so proud of this music, and I am humbled by all the wonderful artists who joined me. I cannot wait for people to hear it!" Newsweek reported here it will be shown in about 600 U.S. cinemas and about 400 outside the U.S. in 18 additional countries. Watch the cinema event trailer, which premieres the title track, here or in the media player above, and order tickets here. Mo Heart 'Walks In' On Dolly's Closet Amazon Music on Monday night premiered the new season of The Walk In With Mo Heart featuring Dolly and her costumes. Check out the episode on YouTube here or in the media player above. 'What Would Dolly Do? Radio' Podcast Premieres Oct. 23:  Three more of Dolly's stage-worn custom chiffon capes from the 1970s have been added to next month's "Played, Worn, & Torn: Rock 'N' Roll Iconic Guitars and Memorabilia" auction in Nashville, Julien's Auctions has announced. The catalog for the second and third segments of the auction was released on Friday and revealed three additional capes, one in pink, another in salmon, and a third in black with white lace center, each adorned in rhinestones and sequins. As was previously reported here weeks ago, three more famous capes are included in the auction's opening night on Nov. 16 (the current bids on each of those are above $2,000) while these three are in the morning auction on Nov. 17, bringing the total to six. They are each estimated to bring in between $800 and $1,200, and the starting bids on each are $200. As of press time, the pink had one bid at $200 and the other two each had two bids at $250. Check them out in the catalog here. 'Wrecking Ball' Released As Next Single Dolly on Friday released her next single from the rock album, "Wrecking Ball" with goddaughter Miley Cyrus. Stream it here or in the media player above and download it "here. Dolly released an exclusive video to Billboard, which they shared on their Instagram here or in the media player below, on why she recorded the song. Dolly 'Walks In' On Amazon Music Dolly sits down Monday evening for a chat with RuPaul's Drag Race alum Mo Heart and their Amazon Music series The Walk In, where celebrities show off their closets as part of her publicity blitz to promote last week's release of the book Behind The Seams: My Life In Rhinestones and next month's CD Rockstar. Check out a preview clip here or in the media player above. In related news: Few More 'Rockstar' Cinema Details Like Willie Wonka With Boobs Dolly On 'Billboard' 500 Greatest Pop Songs Station: Drones Return To Dollywood Next Month U.K. Chart Update Oct. 17:  It's not the Super Bowl, but Dolly will headline this year's Halftime Show at football's traditionally-second-most-watched game of the year, the NFL's Thanksgiving afternoon broadcast of the Dallas Cowboys vs. the Washington Commanders. The game airs at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Nov. 23 on CBS. It also serves as a kickoff fundraiser for the annual Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign. Dolly said in a press release: "Wow! What an honor to get to kick off The Salvation Army's Red Kettle Campaign with the halftime show during the Dallas Cowboys game this Thanksgiving. Those Red Kettles have long been a symbol of hope for our friends and neighbors who are facing hard times. My goal is to encourage everyone who can to donate and support their neighbors in need. Every small act of generosity helps, and together, we can all love our neighbors this holiday season and beyond."
Dollywood 2024 Season Details Announced  A return of the classic show Paradise Road, a new show about the Trio, the return of the "I Will Always Love You" Festival and opening a week earlier are among the surprises in Dollywood's Monday announcement of its 2024 season details on the first day existing passholders may renew their season passes. Among the news: 'Red Carpet' Interview Available Oct. 16: The second installment in Dolly's trilogy of coffeetable autobiographies, Behind The Seams: My Life In Rhinestones, hits stores in the U.S. on Tuesday and U.K. on Thursday, as does also an unabridged audiobook of the tome, which is 262 minutes long and features Dolly narrating along with additional audio from co-author Holly George-Warren and many members of Dolly's crew over the years who have worked on her wardrobe including Rebecca Seaver, Ann Roth, Cheryl Riddle, Debra McGuire, Frna Strine, Iisha Lemming, Robert Behar, Stacie Huckeba, Steve Summers and more. The audiobook, a preview of which is in the media player above, also comes with a bonus PDF featuring photos from the book. Get the audiobook here or hardcover here. Dolly is scheduled to promote the book Wednesday, the day after its release, on ABC's The View. The Washington Post reviewed the book here, and the U.K.'s The Daily Mail interviewed her about it here. 'Rockstar' Promos Hit HSN, 'Rolling Stone' Promotions continued last week for Dolly's Rockstar album. Rolling Stone released a preview of her performing "Hit Me With Your Best Shot," one of the three bonus tracks on the HSN-exclusive version of the project, here or in the media player above. On Friday night, she promoted the album and assorted swag including blankets and pillows and bags and caps on HSN in two televised appearances and one streaming appearance. Watch the streaming HNS+ interview here. The first HSN televised appearance is on YouTube in six segments here, here, here, here, here, and here. The second HSN televised appearance is available on YouTube in three segments here, here, and here. She also appeared on ABC's On The Red Carpet Sunday night. New Dolly Podcast Lands Oct. 25 Today announced last week that Dolly will release a weekly temporary four-part podcast What Would Dolly Do? Radio on Apple Music this month. The show airs weekly on Wednesdays at 8 p.m. Eastern starting Oct. 25. Country singer and Apple Music personality Kelleigh Bannen will co-host. In it, Dolly promises to share her stories, wit, and wisdom. The episodes will focus on 1) her look and legacy and how she went from country star to icon, 2) her businesses from the stage to the screen, 3) her philanthropy, and 4) her upcoming rock album. Check out the story from Today in the media player above or by clicking here. Dolly Inducts Keith Urban Into Hall Of Fame Dollywood Pass Sale, Interview On Park U.K. Chart Updates Oct. 11: Three stage-worn classic chiffon capes of Dolly's will be auctioned off next month by Julien's Auctions in Nashville as part of its "Played, Worn, and Torn. Rock & Roll Iconic Guitars and Memorabilia Auction in honor of the auction house's 20th anniversary. I would describe the custom-made capes as shawls, but they all have a similar cut and are studded with rhinestones. One fabric is rainbow colored which appeared in a photograph in National Geographic in a 1978 article about Music City, one pink she wore in a series of famous performance photographs taken in August 1977 in Niles, Ill., and one black which she wore in an iconic late 1970s photograph sitting on a park bench with one leg up and the stoned word Dolly across her leg. Each cape has a $500 starting bid and is expected to bring between $2,000 and $3,000. The auction is 7 p.m. Nov. 16 and also features several items from Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Janis Joplin, and more. The expected biggest ticket item is Eric Clapton's guitar, which is estimated at between $1 million and $2 million. Next is Paul McCartney's 1972 Wings tour bus for $200,000-$300,000. Items in second and third auctions to be held Nov. 17 and 18 will be announced Oct. 20. Bid here and check out a promo video here or in the media player above. See Dolly On HSN Friday, Get Bonus Tracks Of 'Rockstar' Dolly is back in promotional mode for her upcoming album Rockstar and book Behind The Seams: My Life In Rhinestones. A new interview appeared in The Guardian here. She appeared Monday on TalkShopLive where she was given a renewed Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval, following her original Seal in 2001, as she is the only person to be bestowed the Seal. They also gave the album a Good Housekeeping Seal and announced exclusive versions bearing the Seal will be sold through TalkShopLive, which also has the exclusive cassette version of the project plus randomly-autographed copies of the book. Watch the interview here or in the media player above. She revealed in the interview that when she called an entirely new recording session for the album's 30th and final song, "World's On Fire," they went ahead and recorded three more to use as bonus tracks. And presumably, those three songs are the bonus tracks that will appear on a version of the album sold exclusively by HSN, the network announced this week. And Dolly will be on hand to promote the special edition with the three bonus tracks on the HSN television network live at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. Eastern Friday and on their HSN+ streaming service for an interview at 8 p.m.
Also, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame announced Wednesday that they will also have an exclusive LP of the project: clear smoky vinyl with the motorcycle cover art available here.
'What's Up?' Falls Off Digital Rock Chart Dollywood Creates Official Passholder Facebook Group In Memoriam: Buck Trent, 85 Oct. 9: Dolly, Reba Duet Gets Second Life Aussie Impersonator Flick Gets Second Release Shine Girl Gets In Magazine U.K. Chart Updates Oct. 4: The park released the first information about its 2024 season passes in the season passholder newsletter released this week prior to the Oct. 16-29 advance purchase period for pass renewals by current passholders (click on image at left for larger view). The biggest news is that the park plans to add more than 20 days to its 2024 season calendar compared to this year. In addition, the price for the entry level Silver Pass is going down $20 from its current price of $169 to $149, while the Gold Pass is decreasing $10 from $234 today to $224 for a one-park pass (the price to add a Splash Country Water Park pass, $55 this year, has not been announced for 2024). The two-park Diamond Pass, which sold out Dec. 31 last year, will cost $324. Usually, the new year passes for early renewal cost the same as the current pass purchase price, so it is unusual to see a decrease. Compared to the renewal presale prices last year, Silver remains the same price as it was last October, while Gold and Diamond each increased $10 over last October.
A park spokesperson verified that rather than starting the season significantly earlier or ending it significantly later, the extra days being added to 2024's calendar will primarily come from operating on days during the season that they were closed midweek this year. For example, the park is typically closed most Tuesdays and Thursdays in March, August, and September, most Tuesdays in April, May, and October, most Mondays in November, and the first week of November.
Also new is that while the adult Silver Pass (for ages 10 and up) is blacked out from Thanksgiving forward this year, prohibiting use for the final two-thirds of the Smoky Mountain Christmas Festival, those who renew during the October presale will receive a one-day admission between Nov. 27 and Dec. 17 during that second third of this year's Christmas fest.
The park spokesperson confirmed to Dollymania.net that 2024 adult Silver Passes will have basically the same blackout schedule as 2023 and that child Silver Passes (ages 9 and under) will remain blackout-free for 2024. Silver Passes will receive two Bring-A-Friend-Free tickets that will also again be subject to blackouts.
Gold Passes receive two Bring-A-Friend-Free tickets without blackouts, free general parking, and the souvenir refill mug good for free fountain drink refills the day of redemption and $1.99 fountain drink refills thereafter.
Diamond Passes receive four Bring-A-Friend-Free tickets without blackouts, free general parking, and a new all-season free refill tumbler that will allow free fountain refills, hot drinks, or frozen drinks (hot and frozen drinks were removed from the free refill program a couple of years ago), a new Diamond Passholder Appreciation Bag, and one free loaf of the park's famous cinnamon bread each month during the 2024 season.
All passes are eligible for 10-month payment plans and must be renewed during the Oct. 16-29 period to receive all perks and lowest pricing.
The park spokesperson also explained the list of perks contained in the season passholder newsletter was meant to be highlights not comprehensive, and he confirmed the traditional food, merch, lodging, and additional ticket discounts for Gold and Diamond Passes will repeat next season at the same levels as this season. More details of the benefits and the 2024 season are scheduled to be announced in a press release on Oct. 16, the day the passes go on pre-sale for current passholder renewals.
Ed. Note: This story has been edited to reflect that on Wednesday the park sent out a revised version of the newsletter stating the original one had some errors. The most notable difference between the two ads for next year's season passes were that the number of new days to be added was reduced and a specific number of operating days for the new year was deleted. In the original version, it noted there would be "30+" additional operating days in 2024 but the numbers disclosed for planned operating days equaled 41 more than in 2023, but the revised version lowered the estimate to "20+" and removed the number of planned operating days. The original ad, available here, noted Silver Passes next year will be able to attend the park 268 days, compared to 223 days this season, while Gold and Diamond Passes will have access to 304 days, compared to 263 this season, an increase of 41 operating days, although those numbers no longer appear to be accurate. An image of the new ad has replaced the old one in the upper left corner of this story -- click on it for a larger version. In addition, the revised email included a link to a different partial list of perks on the park's website here which included a 15 percent discount on "select dining and shopping" for Gold Passes and 20 percent discount on "select dining and shopping" for Diamond Passes, which as was reported here prior to the posting of the new page to their website are the same as in 2023.
In related news, the park's famous coal-fired stream locomotive derailed some of its passenger cars Sunday evening, requiring evacuation of the passengers. Witness reports on social media said the train experienced severe shaking and tipping before at least two cars left the tracks, causing the train to stop. Media reported no injuries and that everyone was safely evacuated. Read more from WBIR here.
'What's Up' Debuts On Rock Digital Sales Chart Koman Gives Dolly Promise Award New Dolly Interview In 'Forbes' Doggy Parton Goes To Shelter Oct. 2: Dolly on Monday announced a deal with ESPN to promote her Rockstar album with clips from several of its songs appearing as intro/outro music for the network's broadcasts of NFL's Monday Night Football this month. On Monday, a clip of "Night Moves" premiered (check out a sample on YouTube here or in the media player above. Then on Oct. 16, a clip from "Heartbreaker" with Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo will be used, followed by "Magic Man" and "Rockstar" in various Monday Night Football games for the remainder of the year following the album's Nov. 17 release. "I am excited for ESPN to spotlight songs from my new Rockstar album," Dolly said in a press release. "When I decided to do a full-blown rock album after they put me in the Rock 'N Roll Hall of Fame, I thought it would be fun to call the album Rockstar. The athletes who give their all everyday are most definitely rock stars, and I love that these songs will be a small part of celebrating their achievements." In related news about the album, Southern Living reported here behind-the-scenes of the elementary school where the video for "What's Up" was filmed, Dolly spoke with USA Today here about trying to get Tina Turner on the project to duet on "Stay Out Of My Bedroom" but she passed away, and an expansion of Dolly's University of Tennessee partnership was announced with a limited edition Vols edition of the album here featuring "Rocky Top" live as a bonus track and additional t-shirts sold through Livylu here. Finally, although it had previously been revealed by Dolly and noted here, her cover of "Freebird" for the album is also being used (minus the original Ronnie Van Sant vocals that appear on her album) for a Skynyrd tribute album, the project was officially announced last week. Anthems: Honoring The Music Of Lynyrd Skynyrd will be released by BFD/Orchard on Feb. 2. 'Mountain Magic Christmas' Available For Streaming Hospital In Dolly Ancestral Home Receives Gift U.K. Chart Updates Louisiana Expands Library Statewide Happy Birthday, 'Dollymania' |
