The family ties are stronger than ever between Dolly Parton and Billy Ray Cyrus and Dolly’s goddaughter, Miley Cyrus!
Christmas is such a special time of year, and a great deal of planning and preparation goes into big family gatherings that celebrate the season. This year, Dolly Parton began planning her holiday gathering back in June. Dolly focused her creative energy on recording a new holiday album, which would become her first Christmas release in 30 years. She knew she wanted to share this experience with her family and dear friends, and among those special people in her life are Billy Ray Cyrus and Miley Cyrus.
Dolly’s love for the Cyrus family goes all the way back to when Billy Ray toured with her in the 90s. And Dolly has a special fondness for Miley. Dolly said,
“I’ve known Miley before she was even born, I rubbed on her mama’s belly knowing that she was going to be kind of like my little goddaughter. Because Billy Ray and I had got to know each other, we performed together when he had ‘Achy Breaky Heart.’”
Dolly penned a new song entitled “Christmas Is” and set it aside for what would become her first holiday recording with her goddaughter, Miley Cyrus. The tender ballad emphasizes the truest emotions that fill our hearts during the Christmas season; love, kindness, compassion and giving. Dolly initiated this new collaboration when she sent Miley a fax with the request. Yes, you read that right, Dolly Parton’s preferred way of communication is through her trusty fax machine. On The Graham Norton Show, the host asked Miley if Dolly called her to sing on the holiday album and she responded with an enthusiastic “She faxed me!” Miley also outed her dad for owning a fax machine and two Blackberry phones.
A Holly Dolly Christmas reunites Dolly and former duet partner Billy Ray Cyrus. Dolly may have bypassed her fax machine to reach out to Billy Ray. Dolly said,
“I really was happy that they both said ‘Yeah.’ I knew that Billy Ray would say ‘Yeah.’ I knew I’d have to run Miley down…but she’ll do anything I ask her to do if she has the time.”
Just like she did with Miley, Dolly had a special song in mind for Billy Ray. “Christmas Where We Are,” a song written by Dolly’s niece Jada Star and her singing partner Barry J has an upbeat holiday swing to it. The song’s cheerful message reminds everyone that the true joy of Christmas is found in the love we share with friends and family, much like the special bond shared between these three artists that transcends music.
“Christmas Where We Are” and “Christmas Is” are sure to be fan-favorites and holiday hits.
Watch more Christmas on the Front Porch Interviews
Throwback Facts
Dolly’s 1993 release, Slow Dancing With the Moon, included a duet with Billy Ray on “Romeo.” Also, Dolly and Miley recorded “Rainbowland” together on Miley’s 2017 release, Younger Now.
A Holly Dolly Christmas
Available now, A Holly Dolly Christmas is Dolly’s first holiday album in 30 years. This festive collection of music includes treasured Christmas songs we all know and love, as well as five original tunes written by Dolly, one she co-wrote with Kent Wells and one written by her niece, Jada Star, with co-writer Barry Jobe. The album features incredible duets with some of Dolly’s dearest friends, including Michael Bublé, Billy Ray Cyrus, Miley Cyrus, Jimmy Fallon and Willie Nelson and also spotlights a special song with her brother, Randy Parton, and niece, Heidi Parton.
