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
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
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.
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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.
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.
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.
Bookbug Week kicks off on Monday 16 May, at the Battle of Bannockburn visiting centre in Stirling. The inspiring theme, Around the world with Bookbug encourages children and adults alike to explore songs and rhymes from around the globe.
Dolly Parton, the founder of children’s book gifting programme Imagination Library, has recorded an exclusive video to promote Bookbug Week and the importance of sharing rhymes and stories from birth. Dolly said,
"We believe that if every kid grows up with a song in their heart and a book in their hand, well then, there's a pretty good chance that their dreams will come true."
Dolly also contributed a special bonus track, "I Believe in You" to the new Bookbug Toddler CD, gifted to every toddler in Scotland as part of the Bookbug toddler bag. Scottish Book Trust also supports the delivery of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Scotland (free books delivered monthly to every Looked After Child aged 0-5).
Catriona Wallace, Head of Early Years at Scottish Book Trust, has called upon all parents and carers in Scotland to share stories and songs from around the world with their children. Catriona said,
“Songs, rhymes and stories exist in all countries and are a universal thread in children’s early experiences. At least 160 different languages are spoken in Scotland alone, so this year’s Bookbug Week theme offers a fantastic platform to explore and celebrate the many beautiful songs, stories and languages on our own doorstep, as well as from around the world.”
The flagship event to mark the launch of Bookbug Week will take place at the Battle of Bannockburn visiting centre in Stirling on Monday 16 May. Stirling and Clackmannanshire libraries have come together to create a free event packed with activities including a visit from author Simon Puttock and illustrator Eilidh Muldoon, yoga for toddlers, outdoor games and international themed Bookbug Sessions. Children’s author and Bookbug patron, Julia Donaldson said,
“Bookbug Week is the perfect chance to find out more about the Bookbug programme and about free story, song and rhyme sessions in your local area. Introducing children to books at an early age has many wonderful benefits including giving speech and language development a real boost. This year, Bookbug Week encourages you to explore songs and stories from around the world and to discover and enjoy new rhymes and stories from across the globe.”
Discover more about Bookbug Week in Scotland.
