Dolly and "The Talk" hosts Sharon Osbourne, Sheryl Underwood, Aisha Tyler, Sara Gilbert and Julie Chen chatted about Dolly's new movie, her new children's book, her #1 album and more.
Dolly shared the story behind one of the songs on her new album, "Pure & Simple" called "I'm Sixteen." She also gave a sneak peek at her role in her upcoming holiday film, "Dolly Parton's Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love." Before leaving the table, Dolly also talked about a new version of her children's book "Coat of Many Colors" available Oct. 18 with proceeds benefiting Dolly Parton's Imagination Library.
Later, Julie hosts the ultimate Dolly trivia game dubbed "Dollywood Squares."
See Dolly and the returning cast including Alyvia Alyn Lind as Little Dolly in "Dolly Parton's Christmas of Many Colors - Circle of Love," airing on NBC on Nov. 30 and available on DVD on Dec. 20.
Learn more about Dolly Parton's Imagination Library
Featured photo courtesy of Mary Alice Lovelace
From the iconic stage of the Hollywood Bowl, Dolly Parton delivered two back-to-back performances to sold-out crowds on Oct. 1 and 2. The Pure & Simple Tour promised a straightforward presentation of Dolly's music and the heartfelt stories behind her songs and it delivered all that and more in the Hollywood Hills. Dolly said,
"It is so good to be back here at the Hollywood Bowl. Thank you for such a warm welcome. It's good to be home. It's kinda like my second home around these parts."
Dolly and the band were on fire just as they have been since the 60-city North American tour kicked off back in June. The Hollywood Bowl shows mark a short break in the tour schedule. It continues on Nov. 15 in Pigeon Forge, TN but Dolly doesn't plan on sitting around during the next six weeks. She is promoting her all new holiday film, “Dolly Parton’s Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love,” and releasing a new picture book, "Coat of Many Colors" (Grosset & Dunlap; on sale October 18, 2016). The book, with all-new illustrations by Brooke Boynton Hughes, features a downloadable exclusive original song by Dolly called “Making Fun Ain’t Funny."
Ricky Schroder, Alyvia Alyn Lind and a few of their co-stars from the new film were among the fans present at the Hollywood Bowl. Sam Haskell, one of the movie's executive producers, was also there to enjoy the concert!
The Pure & Simple Tour continues on Nov. 15 in Pigeon Forge, TN.
"Dolly Parton’s Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love," airs on NBC on Nov. 30 and will be available on DVD on Dec. 20.
The only thing as bright as Dolly's rhinestones at her Red Rocks Meet & Greet event was the smile on Brooke Boynton-Hughes face! The Colorado native contributed beautiful illustrations for the re-release of Dolly's children's book, "Coat of Many Colors." Within the pages of the book, Brooke's art brings the story of the song to life. The little yellow-haired girl in her handmade coat is a perfect likeness to a young Dolly. Her cheeks, rosy with excitement about wearing her one-of-a-kind coat!
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Brooke felt a similar delight when invited to Dolly's backstage event during the Pure & Simple stop at Red Rocks in Colorado. Brooke said,
"It was so wonderful to meet Dolly! And her concert was honestly one of the coolest experiences of my life. I cried when Dolly sang 'Coat of Many Colors' and 'Little Sparrow' (which is probably my favorite of her songs and the ones I listened to a lot while working on the book)."
Like Dolly and Carl, Brooke and her husband enjoy traveling the country in their RV (named Daisy) along with their dog, Olive. She holds a BFA in Printmaking from Colorado State University and an MFA in Figurative Art from the New York Academy of Art. She has been a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators since 2005.
"Coat of Many Colors" by Dolly Parton and illustrated by Brooke Boynton-Hughes is due out on Oct. 18 by Grosset & Dunlap, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers.
Following the book's release, NBC is set to air “Dolly Parton’s Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love.” This original movie is the sequel to the 2015 hit television movie “Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors.”
Photo Credit: Dustin Rabin Photography
All set to embark on the Canadian leg of her 60-city Pure & Simple tour, Dolly Parton charmed the audience at a press conference in Toronto with her quick wit and her optimistic outlook on life. She was candid about her career, the music industry and her upcoming plans. She added in a few jokes about politics and reminded everyone that the world needs much more love and kindness. In fact, love seemed to be a common thread in Dolly's 45-minute long chat with reporters.
Dolly spoke about her 50th wedding anniversary which she recently celebrated with her husband, Carl Dean. She mentioned her movie deal with NBC and shared her excitement for a sequel to the 2015 record-breaking holiday special based on her song, "Coat of Many Colors." The original cast will return for "Dolly Parton’s Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love" this December.
Her message of love flowed naturally into her aspirations for her Imagination Library. Dolly says the free book-gifting organization hopes to soon have 100,000 registered children receiving books each month.
Dolly shared her fond appreciation for her fans from the LGBT community and expressed her sadness in the wake of the recent attack in Orlando, FL. Dolly said,
"I do have a big gay following, and I’m the patron saint to a lot of those guys and it makes me feel good. But as far as what happened in Orlando, that’s just horrible. It doesn’t matter what kind of a club it happened to be. It’s a hate crime, looks to me like what they say. I am not God, I am no judge, I just know that God loves us all."
As the Pure & Simple Tour continues, fans of all ages and from all walks of life will come together to see and hear Dolly, pure and simple. In her closing remarks, Dolly's contagious positivity shined as bright as the rhinestones on her suit when she said,
"Everyday I wake up with new dreams."
Photo Credit: © Mary Alice Lovelace
Dolly Parton's Pure & Simple tour is off and running, thanks to the overwhelming love she received from fans on opening weekend. As the tour winds its way across the United States and Canada, Dolly will take the stage sharing stories, singing songs and entertaining her fans night after night.
During the two-hour long show, Dolly plays a multitude of instruments, including electric guitar, banjo, fiddle, dulcimer, piano and the autoharp. From the stage, Dolly expressed her gratitude to her fans,
“It is fun being on the road again. I’ve been at it a long time. I appreciate you for allowing that to happen.”
Dolly shares pure and simple stories behind some of her songs such as "Coat of Many Colors." The set list includes the hits her fans love, along with a few new songs from Dolly's forthcoming album, "Pure & Simple," set for release this summer.
The iconic performer, entrepreneur and entertainment mogul will not only be touring the country, but she’s also executive producing "Dolly Parton’s Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love." Coming off the phenomenal performance of last year’s holiday special, and looking to recapture the enthusiasm of the nearly 16 million viewers who tuned in, Dolly is teaming up with Pamela K. Long and Sam Haskell as executive producers on the NBC film. The original cast will return for the sequel: Jennifer Nettles as Avie Lee Parton, Ricky Schroder as Robert Lee Parton, Gerald McRaney as Rev. Jake Owens and Alyvia Alyn Lind as young Dolly Parton.
