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
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.
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.
Dolly Parton has been an inspiring and comforting voice for generations of fans around the world her entire career. This year, when we all could use a little extra cheer, Dolly has once again provided solace and joy with the release of her latest holiday album, A Holly Dolly Christmas, which has reached the #1 spot on both the Billboard Country and Holiday charts in its first week. The album released on Butterfly Records in partnership with 12Tone Music is available for purchase and streaming worldwide.
“Who needs Santa Claus when we’ve got Dolly Parton? She’s giving us just the right gift at just the right time: ‘A Holly Dolly Christmas,’ which is an escapist bow to wrap up what has been a terrible 2020. If Dolly Parton can’t make you feel better after a year like this, no one can” – USA Today Network
The festive album’s meteoric rise to the top of the charts makes Dolly the second artist in history with top 10 albums across seven decades, following only Willie Nelson, and Dolly’s 46th top 10 album. Nelson also makes a special appearance with Dolly on the track “Pretty Paper” off this latest all-genre holiday collection. The incredible achievement is a testament to Dolly’s timeless songwriting and music that has always and continues to draw fans. Dolly states,
“I have many things to celebrate this Christmas, one being the success of my Holly Dolly Christmas album becoming number 1. Thanks to all of my fans out there and Merry Christmas to all of you.”
A Holly Dolly Christmas Track Listing:
2020 has been a year that has truly shown Dolly’s cultural impact and a staying power that few artists ever achieve. The icon continues to influence mainstream movements, such as this year’s massively successful social media #DollyPartonChallenge, proving her appeal resonates among fans of all ages and crosses every musical genre.
When Dolly Parton heard the original version of “Christmas Where We Are,” written and recorded by her niece, Jada Star, and Jada’s singing partner Barry J, she knew she wanted to record it on A Holly Dolly Christmas. The singer/songwriter duo was thrilled to learn that “Aunt Dolly” had recorded their song. Dolly said,
“I’m very proud of all my family… And Jada’s a great writer, great singer. I think she’s going to write a lot of good stuff through the years.”
Jada and Barry co-wrote the holiday song for their 2019 Dollywood Christmas show, A Songbook Christmas. Dolly’s version of the song gave her and longtime friend Billy Ray Cyrus the opportunity to sing together again. The upbeat duet is a cheerful reminder that the joy of the holidays is found in the love we have for family and friends. Barry said,
“It’s incredible to actually have two iconic singers sing something that came from you as a songwriter. We’re so truly blessed.”
Songwriting comes naturally to Jada, as it’s practically in her DNA. Her mother is Dolly’s sister, Frieda Estelle, who co-wrote “Sing for the Common Man,” which appears on Dolly’s iconic 9 to 5 and Odd Jobs album.
Singer/songwriters Jada Star and Barry J (Jada Roberts and Barry Jobe) have been performing and writing songs together for several years. When they are not touring, they can be found onstage at Dollywood. In addition to their Songbook show, they are featured performers in My People, My Music, alongside Randy Parton and Heidi Parton. Find performance dates and purchase their music at Jadastarandbarryj.com.
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.
Country Music icons and longtime friends, Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson, reunite on “Pretty Paper” for Dolly’s new holiday album, "A Holly Dolly Christmas." The album is Dolly’s first Christmas release in 30 years and features an array of special guests. Willie’s appearance on “Pretty Paper” is certainly a highlight, as it reunites two of music’s most honored performers.
Willie and Dolly’s friendship extends beyond music, but it was music that brought them together. In the early days of their careers, Willie and Dolly bonded over a shared love of songwriting. Later, they would go on to perform and record together on songs such as 1982 Top 10 hit, “Everything’s Beautiful (In Its Own Way),” from the collaborative compilation album The Winning Hand. They also shared the small screen with their dear friend Kenny Rogers for the 1989 television special, Kenny, Dolly and Willie: Something Inside So Strong. In 2013, Willie released To All the Girls…, which featured a touching duet with Dolly on her song “From Here to the Moon and Back.” Today, their long-lasting friendship has brought the legendary songwriters back together to recreate Willie’s timeless classic, “Pretty Paper.” When reflecting on his friendship with Dolly, Willie said,
“I love her! Anything she sings!... And I’m glad to sing with her anytime, anywhere.”
In an exclusive Front Porch interview, Willie talks about his relationship with Dolly. In addition to their friendship, Willie discusses his excitement to collaborate with her again.
Watch Willie Nelson’s Front Porch interview to hear more about their special collaboration on “Pretty Paper,” then see what Dolly had to say about Willie in her exclusive Front Porch interview.
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.
With a list of memorable duets forged in music history, longtime friends Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson reunited to record “Pretty Paper,” a song penned by Nelson in the early 60s. Little did they know, in the early days of their careers as staff songwriters at Combine Music, that they would both become living legends and share nearly 60 years of friendship.
Dolly fell in love with “Pretty Paper” the first time she heard it and knew she wanted to someday record it on a Christmas project of her own. When she began gathering songs for A Holly Dolly Christmas, “Pretty Paper” was at the top of her list. She wasted no time in calling her dear friend, Willie Nelson, and asked him to join her on a new version of his timeless holiday classic. When discussing the opportunity to work with her lifelong friend again, Dolly said,
“I’ve always loved Willie’s songs. I really, really just love anything he writes.”
In an exclusive Front Porch interview, Dolly talks about her friendship with Willie. She also shares how this collaboration came about.
Be sure to watch Willie’s exclusive Front Porch interview about his collaboration with Dolly on “Pretty Paper.”
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.
