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.
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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.
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.
Dolly appeared several times between 2006 and 2010 on Miley Cyrus’ hit show "Hannah Montana" as Aunt Dolly, Hannah’s godmother. The character was a Nashville native who lived with her husband, Uncle Pete (who never appeared on camera).
Dolly’s first appearance was in the season one episode "Good Golly Miss Dolly" in 2006. Her last appearance was in the season four episode "Kiss it all Goodbye" in 2010. She also appeared in the season two episode "I Will Always Loathe You."
Dolly said of her role on the show,
“I'm famous now 'cause I'm Hannah Montana's Aunt Dolly. Little kids just see me in the street and just point — 'Aunt Dolly!' or 'Hi, Aunt Dolly!' — and it's just been so cute."
Dolly sang and co-wrote the duet "The Right Time" with her friend Billy Ray Cyrus (and Morris Tancredi) on the 2010 debut album "Brother Clyde," the name taken after Cyrus’ alternative rock band of the same name. Allmusic.com reviewer Thom Jurek said of the track,
"The Right Time" is the first glance toward country, but only because Dolly Parton co-wrote and appears on it. A roots rocker, she rises to the band's intensity and helps deliver one of the best cuts here.”
Cyrus really got the most from Dolly in their hard-driving collaboration.
"Dolly, she said she wanted to rock... She came to my studio, brought homemade corn, mashed potatoes and a spread of country cooking. We ate, played guitar for an hour then she just kicked ass. She became like Tina Turner. You could tell she really wanted this."
The album was released on Aug. 10, 2010.
