Dolly Parton is known for wrapping the stories of her cherished childhood into the melodies of unforgettable songs. They are her gifts to the world. With the arrival of her new Christmas album, A Holly Dolly Christmas, she has given fans a real holiday treat; twelve songs, including five penned by Dolly herself. The lyrics of one such song, "Comin' Home for Christmas," reveal the heart of what made her family’s two-room log cabin a home.
Dolly reminisces about many of the holiday traditions her family shared. Her father, Robert Lee Parton, and her brothers would go out into the woods to chop down a tree, while the girls were busy inside making ornaments. Dolly fondly recalls the colored rags her mother would tie into beautiful bows to hang on the freshly cut Christmas tree. They even made a star out of cardboard and tinfoil to place atop the precious pine. Each family member played a special part in the creation of their Smoky Mountain Christmas memories. Dolly reflects,
“It was fun, because it gave us all something to do together. We all felt like we contributed to it, and Mama always made everything special too.”
Even after Dolly left home to move to Nashville, she still returned to East Tennessee to spend Christmas with her loved ones. Through the years, Dolly has continued to celebrate with her family during the holidays. She’ll be the first to tell you she loves Christmas so much that she has a Christmas tree in nearly every room of her house!
In “Comin’ Home for Christmas,” Dolly shares with listeners the magic of her Appalachian roots. The memories made in her Tennessee mountain home are treasures to Dolly. She hasn’t forgotten where she came from, and that firm foundation is what she continues to build on today. Dolly’s message serves as a wonderful reminder to embrace your heritage and cherish the people you hold dear.
The new film stars Dolly Parton, Christine Baranski, Jenifer Lewis, Treat Williams, Jeanine Mason, Josh Segarra, is directed and choreographed by Debbie Allen, and features 14 original songs by Dolly Parton. In addition, Dolly released the song “Christmas on the Square” from her album, "A Holly Dolly Christmas" - Dolly’s first holiday album release in 30 years.
A rich and nasty woman, Regina Fuller, returns to her small hometown after her father’s death to evict everyone and sell the land to a mall developer - right before Christmas. However, after listening to stories of the local townsfolk, reconnecting with an old love, and accepting the guidance of an actual angel, Regina starts to have a change of heart. This is the story about family, love, and how a small town’s Christmas spirit can warm even the coldest of hearts. Starring Dolly Parton, Christine Baranski, Jenifer Lewis, Treat Williams, and directed and choreographed by three-time Emmy and Golden Globe winner Debbie Allen. Featuring 14 original songs by Dolly Parton.
"Dolly Parton’s Christmas on the Square" is produced by Magnolia Hill Productions and Sandollar Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television for Netflix. Executive Producers include Sam Haskell, writer Maria Schlatter, Debbie Allen, and Dolly Parton.
Dolly Parton, Sara Evans, Monica, Jordin Sparks and Rita Wilson, have collaborated on a new single with an inspiring message of empowerment to those touched by breast cancer. According to the Susan G. Komen website each of these women shares a connection to this cause through a close friend or family member who has been affected. In the song, “Pink,” these ladies sing about a triumph day when the color can simply be a color and not a symbol. Dolly said,
“This is such a beautiful song of hope. I’m honored to join with these powerful women to help support Susan G. Komen’s life-saving work.”
In an article by MusicRow, Paula Schneider, CEO of Susan G. Komen and a breast cancer survivor said,
“In a single moment, a person’s life changes forever – there is life before breast cancer, and life after. We are extremely honored that these powerful women have leant their time and talents to help us advance our mission and give a moment of hope to everyone impacted by breast cancer. Together, we will save lives and get closer to a world without breast cancer.”
“PINK” was co-written by Victoria Shaw, Erin Kinsey and Jodi Marr, and produced by Shaw. The song will be distributed via Brighter Day Records. The moving video was directed by Trey Fanjoy.
Read more about "Pink" or Donate To Susan G. Komen
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.
