A remastered special edition version of Dolly Parton's first record "Puppy Love" to be released on April 22, 2017!
"Puppy Love" recorded, by a 13-year-old Dolly Parton, back in 1959 will be the first in a string of re-releases by Southern Folklife Collection and Yep Roc Records. Dolly said,
“Like a first love, a first record for a singer will always be remembered above all others. Hopefully, I’ve improved since I recorded ‘Puppy Love,’ so don't laugh...just enjoy.”
*Original 1959 recording of "Puppy Love"
Read about the 30-hour bus trip Dolly took with her grandmother, Rena Owens to make the original recording in Puppy Love – Dolly Parton’s First Single.
The inaugural release— Dolly Parton’s first single, “Puppy Love”—is a 45-RPM with a B-side of “Girl Left Alone.” The limited edition run will be available exclusively in participating stores on April 22, Record Store Day. Subsequent releases will be available on compact disc, vinyl and from digital providers.
Dolly recorded “Puppy Love” for Goldband Records in 1959. This edition is remastered from the original mono master tape. Packaging will include reproductions of the original Goldband record labels, housed in a picture sleeve featuring an early promotional photograph of Dolly.
These rare recordings are made possible through a partnership between the Southern Folklife Collection (SFC) at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Yep Roc Records, based in Hillsborough.
The SFC, part of the Wilson Special Collections Library, will create digital masters of rare archival recordings from its collections, which Yep Roc Records will produce, package and distribute. Glenn Dicker, co-owner and A&R for Yep Roc Records said
“This is an amazing opportunity for Yep Roc to work with Steve Weiss and the Southern Folklife Collection to help bring some incredible music to a worldwide audience of music fans.”
“Swampland Jewels” (Sept. 22)
A compilation of classic Cajun music from Goldband Records,“Swampland Jewels” features recordings by Jo-El Sonnier, Boozoo Chavis, Iry LeJune Jr. and Cleveland Crochet. Packaging features the original album art of a bikini-clad girl riding a giant crawfish, and includes the booklet “From the Bayou,” a history of Goldband Records by music writer Mike Leadbitter and Goldband Records founder Eddie Shuler.
Doc Watson: “Live at the Club 47” (Date TBA)
A newly discovered performance by Doc Watson, “Live at the Club 47” was recorded in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1963. This recording features unreleased songs from Watson’s early repertoire.
Southern Folklife Collection
Yep Roc Records
*Preview is of the original track, not the remastered version.
Dolly Parton and Jane Fonda will present the SAG Life Achievement Award to actor, comedian, writer, producer and all-round entertainment maverick Lily Tomlin during the 23rd Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards, Executive Producer Kathy Connell announced today. Lily's accepting SAG-AFTRA’s highest accolade from her two long-time friends, a trio beloved as the co-conspirators in the 1980 feminist revenge comedy hit “9 to 5,” will be a highlight of the annual SAG Awards® ceremony, which will be simulcast live on TNT and TBS on Sunday, Jan. 29, 2017 at 8 p.m. (ET), 5 p.m. (PT).
"9 to 5" is now number 74 on American Film Institute's list of “100 Funniest American Movies of All Time." When the film was shot, Jane and Lily were friends who had already received numerous honors for their acting achievements. It was Dolly’s first feature film role, but she was a veteran of live and television performances as herself, an award-winning musician and writer. She also wrote, performed and received dozens of awards for the movie’s title song which she composed by creating a rhythm with her fingernails.
The three legendary artists, each of whom has a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame, have remained close friends since that catalyst film. Jane and Lily joined forces again as stars and executive producers of the current Netflix series “Grace and Frankie.” The success of the show led to both being honored this year with Actor® nominations for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series, along with Emmy® and Golden Globe® nominations for Tomlin. “Grace and Frankie” returns for its third season in May 2017.
When Dolly received the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award at the 50th Annual CMA Awards, Lily was on hand to present the honor. All three ladies have received multiple honors throughout their phenomenal careers including Jane's 2014 AFI Lifetime Achievement Award.
The 23rd Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards will be simulcast live on TNT and TBS on Sunday, Jan. 29 at 8 p.m. EST/5 p.m. PST.
Featured photo courtesy of Joseph Llanes
Dolly Parton once dreamed of turning the famous sign on the California hill from Hollywood to Dollywood. Later, when she opened her theme park in Tennessee, Dolly would see that dream come true. This year, during two sold-out shows at the Hollywood Bowl the iconic sign might have read Hollywood, but in the hearts of her adoring fans, it read Dollywood!
When Dolly performed in the Hollywood Hills, the stars came out and not just the ones shining overhead. Dolly's audience included an impressive list of A-list stars including Katy Perry, Kirsten Dunst, Elizabeth Banks, Lance Bass, Reese Witherspoon and Henry Winkler to name a few. Dolly's "9 to 5" co-star Lily Tomlin was also there. Dolly, with her L.A. look and Tennessee heart, charmed this “who’s who” list along with everyone else in attendance. Dolly performed a Pure & Simple show with all her hit songs and heartfelt stories from her childhood growing up in the mountains of East Tennessee.
Throughout 2016, Dolly celebrated one milestone after another both personally and professionally. During the last two months of the year, in one of the most inspirational and generous acts of 2016, Dolly would see the Great Smoky Mountains and it's people hold a very special place in the hearts of so many around the world.
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Dolly began the year by celebrating her 70th birthday and in May she and her husband Carl renewed their wedding vows in honor of their 50th anniversary.
In June, she embarked on a mostly sold-out, 60-city tour. Her new album, "Pure & Simple" debuted at No. 1 on charts around the world. She also enjoyed great success with the revival of two of her hits from the 1970s. "I Will Always Love You" was featured in "Forever Country" a mashup of three Country mega hits celebrating the CMA Awards 50th anniversary. "Jolene" became a 21st century hit when the a cappella group Pentatonix covered the song and invited Dolly to add her vocals to the track. This brilliant collaboration would earn them a Grammy nomination.
Those accolades in and of themselves are impressive, but the success of 2016 doesn't end there. Music fans were delighted when Dolly together with Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt opened the vault to release a third and final installment of their "Trio" collaboration. "Trio The Complete Collection" has unreleased tracks and never-before-heard versions of the original recordings from this Grammy award-winning group.
Dolly received the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award at the 50th Annual CMA Awards. Long-time friend and "9 to 5" co-star, Lily Tomlin presented the honor. Reba McEntire, Martina McBride, Kacey Musgraves and Carrie Underwood joined Jennifer Nettles on stage in a beautiful tribute to Dolly. Jennifer Nettles reprised her role as Dolly's mom in the sequel to the 2015 record-breaking television film, "Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors." The cast, including Jennifer, Ricky Schroder, Alyvia Alyn Lind and more walked the red carpet along with Dolly at the Hollywood-style premiere of "Dolly Parton's Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love" inside Dollywood.
The new film, "Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love" aired on NBC on Nov. 30 in a special two-hour movie event. Dolly appeared as The Painted Lady. Over 11 million people watched the world premiere, and the DVD was released on Dec. 20 just in time for the holidays.
In addition to inspiring the films, Dolly's "Coat of Many Colors" story is the subject of a new children's book featuring all new illustrations. Part of Dolly's life's work has been to instill a love of reading in the hearts of as many children as she can. In October, her Imagination Library reached an incredible milestone when the non-profit organization began sending one million free books per month to children around the world. Dolly marked the occasion by giving a $30,000 college scholarship to two-year-old Evey Johns from Conway, AR.
The Imagination Library is made possible through the Dollywood Foundation, which Dolly founded in 1988 shortly after opening her theme park. On Nov. 28, 2016, devastating wildfires affected parts of Sevier County and the Great Smoky Mountains where Dolly calls home. The fires took the lives of 14 people, injured over 100, burned over 17,000 acres inside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and damaged or destroyed over 1700 structures (homes, businesses, and churches). Dolly called on the Dollywood Foundation, the Dollywood Company, and her dinner attractions and within a few days after the fires together The My People Fund was established. The Fund committed to giving every family who lost their home in the fires $1000 per month for six months.
As the news about the My People Fund was shared, Dolly's network of friends, fans and fellow entertainers offered their support. Smoky Mountains Rise: A Benefit for the My People Fund telethon was organized. Millions of people tuned in to see star performances by Kenny Rogers, Hank Williams Jr., Reba McEntire, Cyndi Lauper and many more. In total, over $9 million was raised. After the first distribution, the My People Fund served nearly 900 families.
From her early days in Nashville to the stage of the Hollywood Bowl in 2016, Dolly Parton has charmed the world with her contagious smile that's, at times, bigger than her hair. This year, it was her generous heart that proved contagious. When Dolly's "people" in the Smoky Mountains needed her she was there for them and she invited the rest of the world as well.
Month after month, both professionally and personally, in artistry and philanthropy Dolly's dream of changing the H of the Hollywood sign to a D may have already come true. She has proven she holds Tinseltown and beyond in the palm of her tiny, acrylic nail adorned, hand.
In a little more than two weeks after the wildfires that spread across Dolly Parton’s home area of Sevier County, TN, Dolly and the Dollywood Foundation launched the distribution of assistance from the My People Fund. During the four-day check distribution, 884 families received their initial support payments. Dolly said,
“It’s a blessing during this holiday season that we are able to help as many families as we have so far. We know there are more families out there who need our help and we encourage them to be in contact with us before our January distribution.”
The next distribution is set for January 26 and 27, 2017, at the LeConte Events Center in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
Thanks to the generosity of Food City, their customers, associates and more, the company presented checks to the Dollywood Foundation's My People Fund and the Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Gatlinburg Relief Fund totaling $750,000. Steven C. Smith, Food City President/CEO said,
“Our company has been privileged to operate in the Sevier County/Gatlinburg area for more than thirty years and we certainly want to do everything possible to help our friends and neighbors recover from this devastating disaster."
Food City designated $500,000 to benefit the Gatlinburg Relief Fund, while the remaining $250,000 was directed to the My People Fund.
The Dollywood Foundation’s My People Fund provides $1000 each month to Sevier County families whose homes are uninhabitable or were completely destroyed in the recent Smoky Mountain wildfires. Any family who lost their primary residence (renters and homeowners) due to the wildfires in Sevier County are eligible. A pre-application for those affected is available at DollywoodFoundation.org.
Millions of people watched Smoky Mountains Rise: A Benefit for the My People Fund telethon on Tuesday, December 13 on GAC, AXS-TV, RFD and The Heartland Network and during several rebroadcasts throughout the last weekend. As a result, donations continued to roll in and thanks to generous people from coast to coast and Dolly’s friends, the total amount raised has climbed to $9.3 million. David Dotson, Dollywood Foundation President commented saying,
“As, Dolly said, the response has been overwhelming. We will distribute all $9.3 million to the families affected. That will insure all of the money raised will go to where Dolly promised it would.”
The telethon, broadcast on GAC, AXS-TV, RFD and The Heartland Network Tuesday, received huge donations from music stars like Taylor Swift, Kenny Chesney, Chris Stapleton, Chris Young, Paul Simon and Dierks Bentley but also from families across the country who just wanted to give the people of Dolly’s home area a hand up in the tragic wildfires.
“I am overwhelmed by the generosity of the people who have donated from all over the country and to my friends who donated their time, talent and money for My People,”
Dolly Parton explained.
“The response has been so overwhelming that we haven’t been able to count all of the donations yet; right now, in total, we have raised about $9 million dollars for the folks who lost everything in Sevier County.”
The total amount raised is expected to rise as mail donations are counted and the telethon is rebroadcast to new audiences over the next five days.
Anyone who would like to make a tax-deductible contribution to the My People Fund may visit dollywoodfoundation.org.
For those wishing to send donations via mail, those contributions should be sent to:
My People Fund, c/o Dollywood Foundation
111 Dollywood Lane, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
Donations are also being accepted by texting DOLLY to 501501 for a onetime $10 donation or DOLLY25 to 501501 for a onetime $25 donation. Messaging and data rates will apply.
More than 1300 families have been displaced due to the wildfires which spread across Parton’s home area of Sevier County, Tennessee in late November. Dolly established the My People Fund to provide $1000 each month for six months to every family who lost their primary residence.
Artists who donated their performances to the effort include: Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers, Hank Williams Jr., Chris Stapleton, Reba McEntire, Alison Krauss, Michael W. Smith, Chris Janson, Big & Rich, LOCASH, Chris Young, Montgomery Gentry, Jamey Johnson, Cyndi Lauper, Don McLean, Amy Grant, Alabama, Aaron Lewis and Rhonda Vincent.
Dolly hosted the overall telethon with friends HLN’s Robin Meade, GAC’s Suzanne Alexander and Nan Kelly, The Bobby Bones Show’s Bobby Bones, SiriusXM’s Storme Warren, Crook & Chase hosts Lorriane Crook and Charlie Chase, Nash Night LIVE’s Shaun Parr and Elaina D. Smith, and TuneIn Country Roads’ Kelly Sutton will share hosting duties throughout the three-hour broadcast.
Celebrities also donated their time to answer phones including: Paula Deen and her sons Bobby and Jamie, Chrisley Knows Best cast members Todd, Julie and Savannah, Moonshiners’ cast members Mark and Digger, Nashville’s Charles Esten, cast members of Dolly Parton’s Christmas of Many Colors, country hit-makers Chris & Morgane Stapleton, Mark Wills, Lee Greenwood, Larry and Rudy Gatlin, TG Sheppard, John Conlee, Ronnie McDowell, Kristian Bush, Tim Rushlow, T. Graham Brown, Dolly’s nieces Rebecca Seaver and Danielle Parton, bluegrass hit makers Lorraine Jordan and Darrin Vincent, comedian Henry Cho, KC of KC & The Sunshine Band, hot new country artists Brett Young, Cassadee Pope, RaeLynn, Danielle Bradbury, Lucas Hoge, Denny Strickland, songwriter Becky Hobbs, Jason Crabb and members of the Tennessee Titans.
Several other celebrities shared special video messages during the telethon including: Katy Perry, Carrie Underwood, Larry King, Steve Harvey, Good Morning America’s Robin Roberts, Kiefer Sutherland, and Today Show’s Willie Geist.
The My People Fund will provide $1000 each month to Sevier County families whose homes are uninhabitable or were completely destroyed in the recent Smoky Mountain wildfires. Any family who lost their primary residence (renters and homeowners) due to the wildfires in Sevier County will be eligible. A pre-application for those affected is available at DollywoodFoundation.org.
Photo Credit Anna Webber
