In an exclusive video featured on AOL, Dolly Parton shares a special story from her past about a big surprise she gave her parents and younger siblings once her music career had begun to take off. Dolly said,
"One of the greatest joys of my life was when I made enough money to do something special for my family, because my family was always number one with me and still is."
With the help of some friends, Dolly and a few of her older siblings managed to completely decorate and furnish her parent's house with new furniture and curtains for a special Christmas surprise.
Dolly's love for her family can be heard in many of her songs, especially her 1971 hit, "Coat of Many Colors." This song is the focus of her new movie of the same name airing on Thursday, Dec. 10 at 9/8c on NBC.
"Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors" stars Alyvia Alyn Lind, Jennifer Nettles, Ricky Schroder and Gerald McRaney.
AOL Video Exclusive: Dolly Parton
Singer-songwriter and musician, Jennifer Nettles, portrays Dolly Parton's mother in the new NBC film based on Dolly's song, "Coat of Many Colors." Best known as lead vocalist of the country duo Sugarland, Jennifer is a storyteller at heart. She was beyond thrilled to join in the re-telling of this beloved story from Dolly's childhood.
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Q. As you started to develop your character, what things about Avie Lee stood out or perhaps surprised you?
A. What I loved most about Avie Lee was her authentic mixture of vulnerability, compassion and strength. She loses a child and goes into a dark depression. She checks out for a while. She is real and wounded and human. But, her love of her family gives her strength to push beyond and create a beautiful metaphor of rebirth out of tragedy by making a coat for Dolly. I love so much that beautiful, living metaphor of her sewing those pieces back together. So womanly and strong.
Q. The Parton family is known for their tight-knit bonds. While filming, did the cast develop similar family-like relationships?
A. We had a ball. Having so many kids in the cast kept us all laughing and humble. Children have a beautiful way of demanding your presence and that definitely provided levity much of the time. Though there were times where I definitely heard myself become "mother-hen" in trying to help keep their little attentions for the next shot. And, true to the script, many of the older children helped to keep the younger ones in focus.
Q. Considering everything you have done in your career, where does this role rank in your list of achievements?
A. Playing the role of Avie Lee definitely ranks up at the top of the list for rewarding artistic experiences. I love telling stories, be it in a three and a half minute song or as an actor. Getting to tell such a beautiful story as Avie Lee's and getting to dive deeply into her heart, her struggles and her strength was such a treat for me.
Q. Knowing that Dolly herself helped cast you in this role, did you feel a certain amount of pressure to get it right and if so how did you handle it?
A. You better believe I felt pressure!! I was chosen to play Dolly Parton's mother!! The relationship between a mother and child is so special and sacred and complex. I wanted to honor their close bond and make Dolly proud at the same time. I asked Dolly about her mother and also pulled from my own precious relationship with my mother, not to mention my own relationship with my son as a mother myself.
Q. The song "Coat of Many Colors" first debuted in 1971, yet it still has a powerful message for people today. Why do you think people relate so well to this story?
A. The symbol of the "Coat of Many Colors" is one of alchemy. We are all so attracted and attached to the very real experience of something simple and humble actually holding the most value. We love and relate to taking humility and limited resources and watching them be transformed into gold, through the lens of love.
Q. Other than "Coat of Many Colors," do you have a favorite Dolly song?
A. "Jolene." Of course. Such a fantastic story of the complexities and messiness of love and life. And I love that it is from one woman to another.
Q. What was your favorite moment of making the film or your favorite takeaway?
A. Interestingly enough, my favorite moments were the most painful ones. The funeral scene in particular. How cathartic. I hope its rawness touches people and reminds them that their own losses are seen and understood.
See more cast interviews and tune in Thursday, December 10 at 9/8c on NBC to watch Jennifer Nettles as Avie Lee Parton in "Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors."
This December, Dolly Parton’s childhood memory that inspired a country music hit and later became a children's book, will premiere as the NBC movie, "Dolly Parton's Coat Of Many Colors." The stars of Dolly's new movie shared stories of how they bonded, much like the real Parton family, over movie nights, pool parties and field trips. To hear them talk about the experience, one might wonder how they managed to get the movie made. However, they did, and their excitement about the finished product is contagious.
Step behind the scenes as Ricky shares a touching note from Dolly, Farrah reveals her favorite Dolly song and see why playing "Little Dolly" is a career highlight for Alyvia Alyn.
Discover more about Dolly's new movie from the stars themselves. See full interviews and MORE!
Tune in December 10, at 9 p.m. EST to watch "Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors" airing on NBC.
CREDITS
Starring
Alyvia Alyn Lind, Jennifer Nettles, Ricky Schroder, Gerald McRaney
Executive Producers
Dolly Parton, Sam Haskell, Pamela K. Long
Written By
Pamela K. Long
Director
Stephen Herek
Line Producer
Hudson Hickman
Casting Director
Patrick Rush
Produced By
Warner Bros. Television, Magnolia Hill Entertainment, DP Productions
Tennessee’s favorite songbird will offer her special brand of “Dolly wisdom” to singing contests and perform her heartfelt autobiographical hit, "Coat of Many Colors" on NBC’s "The Voice," on Dec. 8. Fellow country star and longtime “Voice” coach, Blake Shelton shared the exciting news. Blake said, Â
"It's not often that I'm super jealous of the contestants on this show, but I'm really jealous about next week because they're going to be mentored by a young lady by the name of Dolly Parton."
Dolly will perform one of her most personal and beloved songs, “Coat of Many Colors,” on the Tuesday, Dec. 8 (8-9 p.m.) live telecast of NBC’s Emmy Award-winning musical-competition series “The Voice.” Her appearance comes just two days before her new movie, based on the same song, will air on NBC on Dec. 10.
Also taking the stage will be country star and “Voice” season three champion Cassadee Pope, who will perform her latest single, “I Am Invincible.”
"Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors" stars Jennifer Nettles as Dolly’s mother, Ricky Schroder as her father and Alyvia Alyn Lind as 9-year-old Dolly. Gerald McRaney, one of the most respected actors of his generation, will play Dolly’s Grandpa Jake Owens.
Yahoo! features the cast of "Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors." It offers fans a sneak peek at the cast on the set.
The hand-made coat was the subject of the title track of Dolly's eighth solo album released in 1971. The album cover shows a young Dolly Parton in her multi-colored coat.
Jennifer Nettles and Ricky Schroder play dolly’s parents, Avie Lee and Lee Parton. The cast was announced in early August and includes Gerald McRaney as Dolly's Grandpa Jake Owens.
The film is set in 1955 in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee where Dolly grew up on her family's farm. It depicts the events of Dolly's life and that of her family during that time.
NBC and Dolly announced their plans to release a series of films based on her music and life in May 2015. "Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors" set to air on NBC on Dec. 10, 2015, at 9 PM.
