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.
In an exclusive “Front Porch” interview, Heidi Parton sits down to discuss her part on “A Holly Dolly Christmas.” Heidi sang harmony vocals on “You Are My Christmas” along with her father, Randy Parton. In the interview, she shares her excitement to be a part of this recording which marks Dolly Parton’s first Christmas album in 30 years. Heidi also talks about her quarantine experience. And during a touching moment, she reminds everyone to treasure the precious time we have with each other.
Watch Heidi Parton’s Christmas on the Front Porch interview. Learn more about her part on Dolly’s new holiday album, “A Holly Dolly Christmas,” available now.
Dolly’s niece, Heidi Parton performs with her father, Randy Parton, in the “My People, My Music” show at Dollywood. By age two, Heidi was already singing and performing. In 2017, she release her debut album, “This Kind of Love.”
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 found herself spending time at home for the duration of the nationwide quarantine, she knew she wanted to be productive and went to work writing material for her long-awaited Christmas project. A Holly Dolly Christmas, the first holiday album from the poetic songstress in 30 years, is now available.
Dolly’s brother, Randy Parton, and his daughter, Heidi, are featured on the heartwarming song, “You Are My Christmas.” In this exclusive Front Porch interview, Dolly talks about how Randy was, in fact, the inspiration for the song. She shares about growing up with her siblings and reflects on the Christmas Randy was born.
Watch Dolly Parton’s Christmas on the Front Porch interview and hear the full story about “You Are My Christmas.”
Watch more Christmas on the Front Porch Interviews
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.
