Globally beloved entertainment icon, Dolly Parton, surprised the world with the digital re-release of six classic albums today, Friday, April 10th. Doing what she does best, Dolly has been uniting generations of fans through love, laughter and music in a time when we need her the most. For kids out of school due to the COVID-19 Crisis, she reintroduced “Goodnight With Dolly” as a weekly storytime YouTube series. She has been reading weekly bedtime stories from her Imagination Library, the non-profit book gifting program that has sent 130 million books to children all over the world. For adults in “Stay at Home” situations, she’s posting humorous poems about “the stayin’ home” on Facebook and light-hearted #squadgoals photos on Instagram. “If you don’t follow Dolly on Instagram something is wrong with you,” Tonight Show’s Jimmy Fallon urged his following. For lifelong fans, the wave of music she’s made available everywhere today is a refreshing respite from the staleness of the same scenery and the heaviness of life’s realities.
The largest-ever digitally available catalog of Dolly Parton songs now includes the albums Little Sparrow (2001), Halos & Horns (2002), For God & Country (2003), Live & Well (2004), Those Were the Days (2005) and Better Day (2011). Featured on these albums is fan favorite “Little Sparrow” and Grammy Award-winning vocals on “I’m Gone.” Parton’s discography delivers a slice of nostalgia, infectious fun and fervent hope of a bright and better future.
In 2002, Parton originally released “Hello God” from Halo & Horns as a prayer in response to the terror attacks of 9-11 and she made it available again now with the hope that it would again bring healing and help.
“Hello, God? Can you grant us love enough to make amends?
Hello, God? Is there still a chance that we could start again?
Can you help me go the distance? Hello God?”
The following year, she released For God & Country, which included covers of famous patriotic mainstays and original Parton cuts. USA Today referred to the album “as her personal USO revue." A call back to a simpler, united time; something she wishes for us all again.
Live & Well was first released in 2004, and is a live album recorded at Dollywood, the world-famous 150-acre theme park which is as unique as its namesake and owner. Those Were the Days (2005) is collection of cover songs from the 1960’s and 1970’s and features a guest on every track including Norah Jones, Keith Urban, and Alison Krauss. The most recently recorded album made available again today is Better Day (2011), which was her first completely original body of work.
Dubbed Southern Living’s “Southerner of the Year,” Dolly Parton continues to make a difference, in the good times and the bad. It is her hope and wish that by making more songs of hers available for streaming that listeners will be streaming joy into their hearts and homes during this unprecedented time.
Little Sparrow (2001)
Halos & Horns (2002)
For God and Country (2003)
Live and Well (2004)
Those Were the Days (2005)
Better Day (2011)
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UPDATE: Thank you for watching "Goodnight with Dolly." We hope you enjoyed the read-aloud series and invite you to learn more about Dolly Parton's Imagination Library.
The Imagination Library has gifted over 138 million free books to children around the world. Learn how to Register A Child or Make A Donation online.
Dollywood and Abramorama in association with The Dollywood Foundation announced today that beginning on Thursday, April 2, at 7:00 PM EDT, Dolly Parton will be reading a children’s book for bedtime in a series entitled “Goodnight with Dolly.” Additionally, the documentary about her Imagination Library "The Library That Dolly Built" will open nationally the week of September 21, to commemorate the Library’s 25th anniversary. Since inception in 1995, the Imagination Library has gifted more than 135 million books to children and is currently gifting books to 1.5 million children around the world each month.
“Goodnight with Dolly” will feature Dolly Parton reading a series of Imagination Library books all carefully chosen for their appropriate content at this moment in time. Dolly welcomes the viewers and introduces the title, author and illustrator. Snuggled in bed with her Imagination Library book, Dolly shares stories that are just right for this moment in time. The readings will be a mixture of Dolly and the interior pages of the books. The books will include “There’s a Hole in the Log on the Bottom of the Lake” by Loren Long, “Llama Llama Red Pajama” by Anna Dewdney, “I Am a Rainbow” by Dolly Parton, “Pass It On” by Sophy Henn, “Stand Tall Molly Lou Mellon” by Patty Lovell, “Violet the Pilot” by Steve Breen, “Max & The Tag-Along Moon” by Floyd Cooper, “Last Stop on Market Street” by Matt de la Peña, “Coat of Many Colors” by Dolly Parton, and of course, “The Little Engine That Could” by Watty Piper.
Once a week for 10 weeks at 7:00 PM EDT, The Book Lady will deliver her story with the program available across the Imagination Library, Dolly Parton, World Choice Investments, and Dollywood channels. The read alongs will be a personal gift from Dolly to all families. Free of charge but not free from obligation as the message will be to pass on the love and keep hope alive because we are all Together, You and I.
Dolly Parton said, “This is something I have been wanting to do for quite a while, but the timing never felt quite right. I think it is pretty clear that now is the time to share a story and to share some love. It is an honor for me to share the incredible talent of these authors and illustrators. They make us smile, they make us laugh and they make us think."
Regarding the film’s release, she adds, “Although it was the right thing to do, postponing the screening of our documentary was a disappointment. So many of our Imagination Library affiliates had organized events around the nationwide screenings, however, things do have a way of working out so the documentary will still have its day.”
Copyright 1976, 1961, 1954, 1945, 1930 by Penguin Random House, LLC. Illustrations copyright 2020 by Penguin Random House, LLC.
On March 20, 2020, Dolly woke up to learn her longtime singing partner and cherished friend, Kenny Rogers had passed away. Kenny's family had reported his passing saying he died peacefully at home.
“The Rogers family is sad to announce that Kenny Rogers passed away last night at 10:25 p.m. at the age of 81,” his representative said. “Rogers passed away peacefully at home from natural causes under the care of hospice and surrounded by his family."
You never know how much you love somebody until they’re gone. I’ve had so many wonderful years and wonderful times with my friend Kenny, but above all the music and the success I loved him as a wonderful man and a true friend. So you be safe with God and just know that I will always love you, dolly.
Posted by Dolly Parton on Saturday, March 21, 2020
As Dolly's friend, Kenny was always there for her when she called upon him to help with a cause she was supporting and vice versa. In September of 2016, Kenny performed at a sold-out concert at Dollywood raising $60,000 for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. And just a few short weeks later, Dolly called on Kenny again. He joined her and many other artists at "Smoky Mountains Rise: A Benefit for the My People Fund" telethon that helped raise nearly $9 million for victims of the Smoky Mountain wildfires.
Finally, in October of 2017, the old friends took the stage for the final time at Kenny's “All In For The Gambler: Kenny Rogers’ Farewell Concert Celebration.” The star-studded event honored Kenny’s historic 60-year career.
Kenny Rogers' career spanned more than six decades starting in the 1960s. He was featured on 30 number-one hits. Kenny was a five-time CMA Awards winner and a 10-time Academy of Country Music Honoree. He was a Country Music Hall of Famer and three-time GRAMMY® Award winner. In 2013 he was the recipient of the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award at the CMAs. He sold more than 100 million records worldwide. And in 1986 in a joint poll, readers of both USA Today and People voted him the “Favorite Singer of All Time.”
Thirty years after their smash hit, "Islands In The Stream" Dolly and Kenny partnered up to record, "You Can't Make Old Friends," a touching ballad about their life-long friendship. His fans will forever remember this treasured American artist who brought them "Lucille," "The Gambler," "Coward of the County," "Lady" and many others.
The family representative also said, "The family is planning a small private service at this time out of concern for the national COVID-19 emergency. They look forward to celebrating Kenny’s life publicly with his friends and fans at a later date.”
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Photo Credit: Curtis Hilbun
Last season, Dollywood officials announced the free Pre-K Imagination Season Pass to celebrate the park’s milestone 35th anniversary season in 2020. With the pass, children born in 2015 or 2016 are able to visit Dollywood absolutely free for the entire 2020 season. Additionally, the pass allows children to splash and play for free during Dollywood’s Splash Country’s 20th anniversary season.
With a high demand for the free pass, Dollywood officials have extended the deadline for children to be registered. Adults now have until March 15 to sign up their children by registering them online at Dollywood.com/Pre-K.
For adults registering their children for the Pre-K Imagination Pass and looking for the best value on their own passes, now is the best time to lock in the best price. Because the Pre-K Pass provides access to both Dollywood and Splash Country, the best option for parents is the Two-Park Super Pass. By purchasing before March 15, parents can take advantage of a six-month payment plan, plus they receive two bring-a-friend free tickets and they save $10 off summer pricing.
The park’s 2020 season features a calendar full of events that make it the perfect year for a season pass. The year begins with international fun during Festival of Nations (March 14-April 20). The biggest names in bluegrass visit during Dollywood’s Barbeque & Bluegrass presented by BUSH’s® (April 24- May 3), while the park’s newest event, Dollywood’s Flower & Food Festival, takes place May 8 –June 14. Summer Celebration (June 20- Aug. 2) features later hours and the return of the Gazillion Bubbles Show.
Dollywood’s Harvest Festival presented by Humana (Sept. 25-Oct. 31) features Southern gospel’s greatest performers alongside the guest-favorite Great Pumpkin LumiNights. Dollywood’s season concludes with the 12-time winner for Best Theme Park Christmas Event, Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas presented by Humana, Nov. 7, 2020 -Jan. 2, 2021.
Learn more about the free Pre-K Imagination Pass online or call 1-800-DOLLYWOOD.
Producers John Frost and Suzanne Jones are delighted to announce that "9 to 5 THE MUSICAL" is partnering with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to bring the joy of reading to children in need across Australia.
As the official charity partner of the musical production, '9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL' will host a charity performance on Thursday, June 18 at 7:30 PM with the proceeds from 500 ticket sales going directly to the Imagination Library. These funds, plus other fundraising initiatives on the night, will assist the Imagination Library to bring the gift of reading to children all around the country. Dolly Parton said,
“I am thrilled to announce that "9 to 5 The Musical" will be raising funds for a foundation I started 24 years ago and is very close to my heart, The Imagination Library. The program sends out over one million free books each month to children all around the world - I guess that’s why they call me the book lady!”
Producer Suzanne Jones said, “We are thrilled to be collaborating with Imagination Library as our chosen official charity partner on 9 to 5 The Musical. Dolly Parton herself established this charity initiative in the US as a tribute to her father who never learned to read. Her aim was to inspire all children to love to read, and we are looking forward to helping her accomplish that mission here in Australia.”
Clayton Noble, Chief Executive of United Way Australia, said, “We are very excited to be hosting a special charity performance on Thursday, June 18 with proceeds from the ticket sales to go towards supporting families and carers involved in the Imagination Library, and providing the gift of a book each month to children aged 0-5 in many communities across Australia.”
IMAGINATION LIBRARY CHARITY PERFORMANCE
Venue: Sydney Lyric Theatre, The Star
Date: Thursday, June 18, 7.30 PM
Prices: $79.90 (Transaction fees apply)
Book Tickets
* Performance times vary weekly
** Transaction fees apply
