Miley Cyrus invited fairy godmother Dolly Parton to sing on her new recording project. "Younger Now" is Miley’s sixth studio album and is set for release on Sep. 29. Dolly is featured on a track called "Rainbowland." When asked about recording with Dolly, Miley said,
"This is the most exciting thing I’ve ever done in my life. Singing with Dolly is a dream come true."
Miley recorded one of Dolly’s signature hits, “Jolene” on “The Backyard Sessions” back in 2012. And on season 11 of NBC's "The Voice" the pair performed the song with Pentatonix. The performance aired just days after destructive wildfires affected parts of the Smoky Mountains near Dolly's childhood home in East Tennessee. When Dolly set up The My People Fund to assist those who lost their homes, Miley joined a host of others to support the cause.
Of course, Dolly's history with the Cyrus family goes way back to the early 1990s. Miley's dad, Billy Ray Cyrus joined several artists on Dolly's 1993 recording of "Romeo" from her 31st solo album, "Slow Dancing With the Moon." The song earned a GRAMMY nomination for Best Country Vocal Collaboration. A few years later Dolly made several guest appearances as "Aunt Dolly" on Miley's television show, "Hannah Montana." The episodes of the Disney hit which featured Dolly were, "Good Golly Miss Dolly," "Kiss it all Goodbye" and "I Will Always Loathe You."
Dolly's fans and Miley's fans alike are certain to enjoy their 2017 collaboration.
"Younger Now" is available on RCA records on Sept. 29.
Pre-order today at MileyCyrus.com
Track Listing
1. Younger Now
2. Malibu
3. Rainbowland feat. Dolly Parton
4. Week Without You
5. Miss You So Much
6. I Would Die For You
7. Thinkin’
8. Bad Mood
9. Love Someone
10. She’s Not Him
11. Inspired
All Photos Courtesy Getty Images for ACM
Airs Friday, Sept. 15 (9:00 – 11:00 PM ET/PT) on CBS
At the 11TH ANNUAL ACM HONORS™, Dolly Parton received the Gary Haber Lifting Lives Award. The event recognized the special honorees and off-camera category winners from the 52nd Academy of Country Music Awards™. As a special tribute to Dolly, Brad Paisley performed “My Tennessee Mountain Home.”
The Gary Haber Lifting Lives Award honors a country music artist, duo/group or industry professional devoted to improving lives through the power of music, has a generosity of spirit and is committed to serving others. It is voted on by The ACM Lifting Lives Board of Directors.
Dolly has held many titles over her storied 50-year career. She is an iconic singer, songwriter, actress, legend---but philanthropist is one that is close to her heart. Since her earliest days of stardom, Dolly has used her celebrity to support the causes she loves most. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has, to date, provided over 94 million free books to preschool children in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States. Today, the program mails one million free books to registered children each month.
In 2016, Dolly stepped up to raise money for victims of the massive wildfires in her native East Tennessee. Hosting “Smoky Mountains Rise,” a three-hour telethon, Dolly helped raise $12 million for The Dollywood Foundation’s My People Fund. The Fund provided money for temporary housing for families who lost their homes in the fires.
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The Academy renamed/incorporated the Humanitarian Award into the existing Gary Haber Lifting Lives Award. Past recipients include Brooks & Dunn, Vince Gill, Lonestar, Martina McBride, Neal McCoy, Reba McEntire, Montgomery Gentry, Rascal Flatts, LeAnn Rimes and Carrie Underwood.
The Academy of Country Music® presented the 11th Annual ACM Honors™ on Aug. 23 at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium. Portions of the event were taped for the two-hour special which airs on Friday, Sept. 15 (9:00 – 11:00 PM ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. In addition to Dolly and a host of other honorees, Reba McEntire received the Mae Boren Axton Service Award. This award recognizes outstanding individuals for years of dedication and service to the Academy of Country Music. Also, George Strait received the Cliffie Stone Icon Award. It honors those who advance the popularity of the genre through contributions in multiple facets of the industry. Areas such as songwriting, recording, production, touring, film, television, literary works, philanthropic contributions and other goodwill efforts.
The winningest park in Amusement Today’s Golden Tickets history, Dollywood again this year earned more category wins and finalist positions than any other park in the world. During the magazine’s 2017 awards ceremony, Dollywood picked up four "best of" awards. The park also placed in the top-ten in six additional categories.
The Golden Ticket Awards are the most sought after awards in the business of amusements and attractions. Dolly Parton said,
“You all know how very proud I am of my Dollywood and the special folks who work there. It makes me feel so good to know that our guests feel the same way about the park when they come visit us. It’s the perfect place to help them make those memories they’re always going to hold close. Our people do a great job of doin’ just what my mama always used to say—they treat our guests just like they’d want to be treated. And isn’t that what really makes the difference?”
Dolly continued,
“Families can feel the love our folks have for them by the effort and attention they put in to every single detail of the park. They want to make sure every guest leaves with a smile on their face. Dollywood will continue to grow, but I’m thankful my team will never forget what got us to where we are: going above and beyond to give our guests experiences they’ll always remember.”
Tim Baldwin, Golden Ticket Awards Communications Coordinator for Amusement Today said,
“It has been incredibly exciting to watch Dollywood — which was a relatively unknown contender when the Golden Ticket Awards started in 1998 — become this theme park industry powerhouse. Dollywood not only places as a finalist in more categories than any other park, it has taken top prize in four categories — again, more than any other park. Dollywood is setting the bar, and other parks would be wise to look at their example. It’s certainly a park to watch.”
Tim went on to say,
“Dollywood is the whole package — great food, entertaining shows, friendly hospitality and great rides. It’s little surprise to see them capture the attention of our voters. Each year, our selected panel has an incredible amount of worldwide experience, so to be honored on a worldwide scale in so many categories is an amazing accomplishment.”
Calculated from an international poll conducted by Amusement Today, the industry’s leading trade publication, the Golden Ticket Awards are the results of a detailed survey sent to a database of experienced and well-traveled amusement park fans around the world in balanced geographical regions. The survey asks voters to rate the "best" in a number of categories. Categories include best parks, roller coasters, water rides, shows, kids’ area, landscaping and Christmas events. The Golden Ticket Awards were held on Saturday, Sept. 9 at Lake Compounce amusement park in Bristol, Connecticut.
USA Today’s 10Best recognized Dollywood as the third best theme park in the country. And the organization also named Dollywood’s Splash Country the eighth best water park. The National Amusement Park Historical Association also named Dollywood as their “Favorite Theme Park” this year. Dollywood edged Walt Disney World for first, a position the Florida attraction had held for thirteen consecutive years. The NAPHA also honored Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas as their "Favorite Post-Summer Season Amusement Park Event." Fox News recognized the park as the top Small Town Theme Park thanks to its location in the foothills of the Smokies.
Learn more about Dollywood’s Year of the Family
Feature photo by Curtis Hilbun, Dollywood
Today, Dolly shared her vision for Dollywood’s newest nighttime harvest experience. The Great Pumpkin LumiNights will take place Sept. 29 - Oct. 28. Families will enjoy the glow of thousands of carved pumpkins throughout Dollywood’s Timber Canyon during the nightly finale of Dollywood’s Harvest Festival. Beyond the impressive displays, guests can find a number of exciting activities to create thrilling memories together. With so many carved pumpkins needed to create Great Pumpkin LumiNights, Dollywood has a number of “pumpkin artists” who will host demonstrations to help guests learn how to produce the perfect pumpkin masterpiece. Dolly said,
“I’m also really excited to be here to let you know about our brand new nighttime event we are adding for families in October called Great Pumpkin LumiNights. You know, people from all around the world know us for the millions of twinklin’ lights we put up at Christmas time. Well, when guests see thousands of these glowing pumpkins all lit up in Timber Canyon, they’re going to have that same special feeling. We think Great Pumpkin LumiNites will become just as popular with families as our Smoky Mountain Christmas festival. I’m pretty sure there will be a lot of new family traditions made this October.”
Unique harvest games and attractions—including a glow maze—for kids, a nightly Pumpkin Boogie dance party, and friendly costume characters help add to the festive atmosphere. New themed food options and exclusive harvest-themed Coca-Cola products make Great Pumpkin LumiNights the place to be when the sun goes down in the Smokies.
Along with Great Pumpkin LumiNights, Dollywood will once again host the largest Southern gospel music event in America, Southern Gospel Jubilee. Some of the biggest names in the genre will visit Dollywood, Karen Peck & New River (Oct. 21-22), Guy Penrod (Oct. 23-24), The Isaacs (Oct. 12-13), The McKameys (Oct. 6-7), Gold City (Oct. 2-3) and many more.
Dolly also spoke about the park’s award-winning Smoky Mountain Christmas festival! The Smoky Mountain Christmas festival will take place Nov. 5 - Jan. 1. Dolly said,
“The Parade of Many Colors is back this Christmas, along with seven holiday shows and four million beautiful lights. We even have Rudolph and his friends back for another year of creating family memories. It will be a November and December to remember!”
Earlier this week Dolly announced her new children’s album “I Believe In You” which will benefit the Imagination Library
At a press conference today before media reps and their children as special guests, world renowned entertainer Dolly Parton announced the release of I Believe In You, her first album written and recorded for kids and those young at heart. A digital release of the new album on Dolly Records/RCA Nashville will be available September 29, whereas the physical album will street worldwide on October 13. All 14 tracks on I Believe In You were written and performed by Dolly Parton. Dolly said,
“My first album was released 50 years ago and it's been an amazing 50 years since then. I am very excited that now I'm coming out with my first children's album in all of those 50 years. I'm proudest of all that all of the proceeds from this CD will go to the Imagination Library. It's been 20 years since the Imagination Library was launched. We've seen 100 million books get into the hands of children and hopefully there will be many more.”
Since its beginning in 1996 in Dolly’s hometown of Sevierville, Tennessee, the Imagination Library has expanded into four countries serving more than one-million children by providing a brand new, age-appropriate book each month. In North America, every child’s first book is the classic Little Engine that Could.
With children seated around her in front of the fireside living room set that was built for the Smoky Mountains Rise Telethon last December, Dolly Parton revealed her I Believe In You album cover (above) and track listing (below).
All songs were produced by Tom McBride. Tracks 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 were executive produced by Paul T. Couch. Tracks 2, 11, 12, and 13 were produced by Tom Rutledge and Richard Dennison and executive produced by Dolly Parton.
Before and after reading her “Coat Of Many Colors” book, she treated the kids and media to a performance of three songs featured on the new album, “I Believe in You,” “Makin’ Fun Ain’t Funny” and “Brave Little Soldier.” The press conference ended with Dolly answering questions and taking family photos with all the guests.
