On Feb. 27, Dolly Parton will join Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden for a very special presentation of the Imagination Library’s 100 Millionth Book to the Library of Congress collection. The program will begin at 10 a.m. and will be streamed live on both Youtube and Facebook. Viewers can also expect to hear about an exciting collaboration between Dolly Parton's Imagination Library and the Library of Congress.
The Book Lady is all set for her trip to the nation's capital. Of her many successes, awards and personal achievements, this day will be one Dolly will treasure forever alongside many of the people who help make the Imagination Library possible. The once small program inspired by Dolly's father will now have its own place in the world's largest library. Dolly said,
“I'm really looking forward to presenting my Imagination Library's 100 Millionth Book to the Library of Congress. It's a big honor and one that I'm so very proud to share with the many special partners and local affiliates who have helped make this day possible. Together we can all Dream More, Learn More, Care More and Be More.”
Since launching in 1996, Dolly Parton's Imagination Library has celebrated many milestones. Some of which include mailing the 25 millionth book (2010), Best Practices award from the Library of Congress Literacy Awards (2014) and the 1 Million A Month Milestone (2016). The excitement around this next accomplishment has been building for months as the program prepares to mail it's 100 millionth book. Reaching the 100 Millionth Book Milestone is a true testament to the dedication of many, many people who work to "put more books in the hands of more children."
The Library of Congress is the world’s largest library, offering access to the creative record of the United States—and extensive materials from around the world—both on site and online. It is the main research arm of the U.S. Congress and the home of the U.S. Copyright Office. Explore collections, reference services and other programs and plan a visit at loc.gov, access the official site for U.S. federal legislative information at congress.gov and register creative works of authorship at copyright.gov.
Dolly Parton wins Emmy at the 32nd Midsouth Regional Emmy Awards in the Community Service category for Smoky Mountains Rise. Dolly Parton won alongside collaborators Nicholas E. Dugger, Danny Nozell, Pete Owens, Scott Durand, Shanna Strassberg, Edie Lynn Hoback and John Zarling.
During the ceremony, Dolly and the Dollywood Foundation received The Governors’ Award for outstanding achievement in community service. The Board of Governors’ Award is for truly outstanding and unique accomplishments and achievements of some duration and durability. Past recipients include Ralph Emery (1991), NASA TV and Marshall Space Flight Center (2008) and Vanderbilt University News Archive (2012).
“I am so excited to receive these awards tonight, when people ask me what I want them to say about me 100 years from now, I always joke that I want them to say ‘boy, she sure does look good for her age!’ But, in all honesty, I want the work we’ve done through the Dollywood Foundation and Imagination Library to stand the test of time. Of course, I’d be lying if I didn’t say I want my music to be a part of that story, but in all honesty, my music has been a part of everything I have ever done in this business. My music has given wings to my dreams ever since I was a child, and as I sit here tonight, I am so thankful for the fans who have stood by me and supported me all of these years.”
Congratulations to Dolly for receiving the Governors’ Award for outstanding achievement during the regional Emmys ceremony tonight! We at Dollywood are proud of all you’ve accomplished.
Posted by Dollywood on Saturday, January 20, 2018
Adding another accolade to her illustrious career, Dolly Parton earns a well-deserved spot in the record books. Featured in the pages of the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS 2018 Edition, the singer-songwriter was recently recognized for holding records for the Most Decades with a Top 20 hit on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs Chart and Most Hits on Billboard's Hot Country Songs Chart by a Female Artist.
To make it official, Guinness World Records visited Dolly in Nashville recently to present her with record title certificates and sit down for an exclusive interview. Watch the presentation and Q&A in this video.
“To receive these two Guinness World Records is so great!” Dolly said. “Joining so many wonderful singers and songwriters who have been honored this way feels so special to me. You never know when you start out with your work how it’s going to turn out, but to have these two world records makes me feel very humbled and blessed!”
Surpassing fellow country music icons, George Jones, Elvis Presley and Reba McEntire, Dolly is the only artist with Top 20 hits across six consecutive decades (1960s–2010s), earning her the title of Most Decades with a Top 20 Hit on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs Chart. Beginning with her first Top 20 entry, "Something Fishy" in 1967, she’s a credited artist on a further 73 Top 20 hits, including her most recent, a new version of her beloved 1974 title "Jolene," featuring acapella quintet Pentatonix, which debuted at No.18 on the chart dated October 8, 2016.
The 2016 remastered version of “Jolene” was also Dolly’s 107th chart entry, solidifying her second record title for the Most Hits on Billboard's Hot Country Songs Chart by a Female Artist. Dolly’s first hit on this record-breaking list was her 1967 debut, “Dumb Blonde.” Of the 107 hits, 21 were achieved with former partner Porter Wagoner (1927–2007). Find Dolly in the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS 2018 Edition, available in stores and online now.
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Pictured here (left to right) are Dolly Parton and Michael Furnari, Guinness World Records adjudicator. Furnari recently presented Dolly with two Guinness World Records. Photo credit: John Shearer
UPDATE Jan. 20 - Dolly Parton wins Emmy at the 32nd Midsouth Regional Emmy Awards in the Community Service category for Smoky Mountains Rise. Dolly Parton is nominated for a 32nd Midsouth Regional Emmy Award in the Community Service category for Smoky Mountains Rise, along with collaborators Nicholas E. Dugger, Danny Nozell, Pete Owens, Scott Durand, Shanna Strassberg, Edie Lynn Hoback and John Zarling.
During the ceremony, Dolly and the Dollywood Foundation will receive The Governors’ Award for outstanding achievement in community service. The Board of Governors’ Award is for truly outstanding and unique accomplishments and achievements of some duration and durability. Past recipients include Ralph Emery (1991), NASA TV and Marshall Space Flight Center (2008) and Vanderbilt University News Archive (2012).
The event will be streamed live Saturday, January 20, at 8:00 pm Central Time from Nashville’s Music City Center.
Watch 32nd Annual Midsouth Regional Emmy Livestream
Dolly Parton was recently surprised with the news of four Recording Industry Association certification awards upgrades.
She was presented with plaques in recognition of the RIAA Gold certification of her recording of “I Will Always Love You” (RCA) with over 500,000 digital sales and streams, Gold certification of “Jolene” (RCA) with over 500,000 digital sales and streams and Platinum certification of “9 To 5” (RCA) which has amassed over one million digital sales and streams. Of special note, the song “9 To 5,” written by Dolly, has taken on heightened awareness as the music bed to a new “Northwestern Mutual” national television commercial.
“What a fantastic way to start off a new year,” says an enthusiastic Dolly, “By being honored by the Emmys, RIAA and Guinness World Records folks! I am so flattered and proud!"
As the sole songwriter of “I Will Always Love You,” as recorded by Whitney Houston on “The Bodyguard” film soundtrack (Legacy/Arista), Dolly received a fourth plaque commemorating Triple-Platinum certification for over three million digital sales and streams of the smash hit.
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Pictured here as Dolly Parton was surprised with a Whitney Houston "I Will Always Love You" RIAA 3 Times Platinum plaque (left to right) are: Danny Nozell, CTK Management; Parton; and John Zarling, EVP, Marketing & New Business. Photo credit: John Shearer
Pictured at top as Dolly Parton was surprised with 3 RIAA certification plaques (left to right) are: Greg Linn, SVP, Marketing & Content, Legacy Recordings/Sony Music; Parton; John Jackson, SVP, A&R, Legacy Recordings/Sony Music; and John Zarling, EVP, Marketing & New Business, Sony Music Nashville.
Photo credit: John Shearer
Dolly’s latest project “I Believe In You,” her first-ever children’s album, released last fall on Dolly Records/RCA Nashville. All 14 tracks on the new album were written and performed by Dolly Parton for kids and those young at heart. “I Believe In You” Available Here
