My Life

Dolly Parton Unveils Hannah Dennison Butterfly Garden At Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital

Published May 22, 2018 / Last Updated May 23, 2018
Michael Martin
Latest posts by Michael Martin (see all)

Dolly Parton helped unveil the newly-added Hannah Dennison Butterfly Garden at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital honoring her niece.

Hannah Dennison, Dolly’s niece, was diagnosed with leukemia as a child and received treatment at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital. Today she is a beautiful example of hope and inspiration and recently celebrated her 30th birthday. Dolly calls Hannah her “chemo hero” and wrote and recorded a song of the same name on her “I Believe In You” children’s album.

On Thursday, May 17, Dolly donated $1 million to Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt and helped unveil the Hannah Dennison Butterfly Garden honoring her niece. Dolly said,

“Twenty-six years ago was when Hannah was diagnosed with leukemia and for five years, we didn’t know if we would be keeping her or not but Hannah now stands here as our chemo hero and she actually shows us all that miracles do happen.”

Listen to a preview of, “Chemo Hero” from Dolly’s “I Believe In You” children’s album which benefits Dolly Parton

Photo Credit: John Russell

Michael MartinDolly Parton Unveils Hannah Dennison Butterfly Garden At Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital
alt=

RIAA Certifies Multiple Dolly Parton Singles

Published January 18, 2018 / Last Updated January 18, 2018
Michael Martin
Latest posts by Michael Martin (see all)

Dolly Parton’s biggest RCA hits continue to sell and stream in digital age as RIAA certifies multiple singles

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.

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

Michael MartinRIAA Certifies Multiple Dolly Parton Singles

“I Believe In You” Lyric Videos To Be Featured On YouTube Kids

Published November 17, 2017 / Last Updated November 17, 2017
Michael Martin
Latest posts by Michael Martin (see all)

YouTube Kids to feature a series of 13 animated lyric videos on Nov. 21, featuring songs from Dolly Parton’s “I Believe In You” children’s album.

Global superstar Dolly Parton’s appeal has always been universal, and Dolly’s latest project, her first-ever children’s album “I Believe In You” unites multiple generations. Whether you are a child, a parent or a grandparent, “I Believe In You” weaves 14 tracks teaching life lessons in an approachable manner only Dolly could pull off.

Now, families can engage with the music on “I Believe In You” in a series of animated music lyric videos. The videos visually tell a story and encourage children to read and sing-along via bouncing-ball lyrics. Dolly’s “I Believe In You” lyric videos launched today on VEVO and will receive feature placement on YouTube Kids beginning Nov. 21.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The videos, appropriately launching during National Young Readers Week, are directed and produced by Gil Gilchrist, with production support provided by Daniel Lee Martin, Greg Cravens and Tom Brenner. Proceeds from the consumption of the videos will benefit Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, which provides free books to children from birth to five years of age.

This series of first-of-their-kind ‘musical storybooks’ feature ‘Little Dolly’ and other characters exploring landmarks in Dolly’s beloved home state of Tennessee. With production offset provided by the Tennessee Department of Tourism Development, the Volunteer State’s biggest ambassador is once again shining a light on her native Tennessee.

About Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library

Founded in 1995, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a book gifting organization that has, to date, mailed more than 96 million books to children in Australia, Belize, Canada, United Kingdom and the United States. Each month, the program currently mails more than one million specially selected, high-quality, age-appropriate books to registered children from birth until they start Kindergarten in participating communities. Dolly envisioned creating a lifelong love of reading in children, preparing them for school and inspiring them to dream. Recent studies suggest participation in the Imagination Library is positively and significantly associated with higher measures of early language and math development. Penguin Random House is the exclusive publisher for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.

Michael Martin“I Believe In You” Lyric Videos To Be Featured On YouTube Kids
alt=

“I Believe In You”

Published October 13, 2017 / Last Updated February 21, 2018
Michael Martin
Latest posts by Michael Martin (see all)

Dolly Parton releases first children’s album and 44th solo album “I Believe In You”

Released on Oct. 13, “I Believe In You” is Dolly Parton’s first children’s album and 44th studio album. This project is especially for children and those young at heart. All of the proceeds will benefit Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.

“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 Believe In You” includes 14 songs, all written and performed by Dolly. In addition to the title track, kids of all ages are sure to enjoy tunes like “I Am a Rainbow,” “Makin’ Fun Ain’t Funny” and “Brave Little Soldier.” The CD also includes a new recording of “Coat of Many Colors” and a special audio track of Dolly reading her book of the same name.

Digital Download
Buy CD

 

“I Believe In You” Track List

  1. I Believe In You
  2. Coat of Many Colors (new recording)
  3. Together Forever
  4. I Am a Rainbow
  5. I’m Here
  6. A Friend Like You
  7. Imagination
  8. You Can Do It
  9. Responsibility
  10. You Gotta Be
  11. Makin’ Fun Ain’t Funny
  12. Chemo Hero
  13. Brave Little Soldier
  14. Bonus track spoken audio: Coat of Many Colors (book read by Dolly Parton)

“I Believe In You” is released by Dolly Records/RCA Nashville. Tracks 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 were produced by Tom McBryde and 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. All 14 tracks on “I Believe In You” were written and performed by Dolly Parton.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Imagination Library

Sharing a love of reading and books with children is very important to Dolly. In 1995, she founded her Imagination Library to honor her father who was smart and hardworking but never learned to read or write. Dolly believes that if you can read, you can do anything, dream anything and be anything. She is committed to giving children from all walks of life a chance that her father never had.

“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 launching in Dolly’s home county in East Tennessee, the Imagination Library has expanded into four countries. Today the Imagination Library sends over one million free high-quality, age-appropriate books each month to children around the world.

Michael Martin“I Believe In You”
alt=

Dolly To Release First Children’s Album “I Believe In You”

Published August 15, 2017 / Last Updated August 17, 2017
Dolly Parton Productions
Dolly Parton Productions
Managing Editor at Dolly Parton Productions
Team Dolly is a collaboration of writers, editors, and publishers assembled by Dolly Parton Productions. Each member is dedicated to accurately publishing the latest news and historical archives of the living legend that is Dolly Rebecca Parton.

Managing Editor - Jacob Timmons
Creative Director - Sarah Chapman
Dolly Parton Productions
Latest posts by Dolly Parton Productions (see all)

Dolly Parton To Release First Children’s Album, “I Believe In You,” This Fall with Proceeds to Benefit Imagination Library.

Dolly Reveals Cover and Track Listing at Press Conference, Special Guests Include Children of Media Reps.

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).

“I Believe In You” Track Listing

  • I Believe in You
  • Coat of Many Colors (new recording)
  • Together Forever
  • I Am a Rainbow
  • I’m Here
  • A Friend Like You
  • Imagination
  • You Can Do It
  • Responsibility
  • You Gotta Be
  • Makin’ Fun Ain’t Funny
  • Chemo Hero
  • Brave Little Soldier
  • Bonus track spoken audio: Coat of Many Colors (book read by Dolly Parton)

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.

Dolly Parton ProductionsDolly To Release First Children’s Album “I Believe In You”

Visit Us On FacebookFollow Us On TwitterDolly Parton Instagram

Dolly Parton: Latest News