Each year, the Movieguide® Awards recognizes the best family-friendly productions in television and film. "Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors" made quite an impression on 15.9 million viewers after it aired on NBC in December 2015. Dolly was delighted to accept the Epiphany Prize for the Most Inspiring TV Program of 2015. Dolly said,
“I really wanted to celebrate the people, my whole family, who made me who and what I am today. I'm so blessed and thankful for a great cast, producers, director, and for everyone who watched and I’m extremely thankful to the Movieguide® Awards for this honor.”
In addition to the Epiphany Prize, Alyvia Alyn Lind received the Grace Award for her performance as young Dolly. Recipients of this award exemplify God's grace and mercy through their outstanding performance.
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Watch Dolly and Alyvia receive these awards in one of two telecasts set for Monday, Feb. 22 and Wednesday, Feb. 24 on the REELZChannel.
The premier of "Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors" drew a record-breaking audience. To date, total viewership equals 15.9 million making it the most-watched movie on broadcast television in six years.
It is the first of four films Dolly and NBC plan to release based on her music. The next film will focus on Dolly's 1973 hit, "Jolene."
Dolly's sister, Stella Parton, is the sixth child born to Robert Lee and Avie Lee Parton. An accomplished singer, songwriter and actress, Stella landed her own role in the film. She plays Corla Bass, the town gossip. In addition to her on-screen role, Stella also acted as the on-set Parton family representative, providing the actors with valuable insight into their characters. Many cast members were touched by the way in which Stella's presence provided a real-life look at this treasured story.
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Q. Many of the cast members have mentioned how special the shoot was because you were there. What are your thoughts on that?
A. Well, I tried to be a representative of the family, since I was the only family member there, and since I was the only one who would know everyone in the cast. I tried to give the kids and the cast some insight into my siblings, parents, grandparents and aunts. I wanted them to have as much of a personal feeling about [their character] as they could, so they’d have intimacy with the characters they were portraying.
Q. Could you share with us a little insight about your role in the upcoming film?
A. This was kind of a unique situation for me because I’m portrayed in the film as a six-year-old. Farrah Mackenzie did a beautiful job, she’s so tender and so sweet and so feminine. For me to get to audition and to get a role, a dramatic role as the church gossip, I thought that was kind of fun too. I kind of took my character from three different people I knew as a kid.
Q. The Parton family is known for their tight-knit bonds. While filming, did the cast develop similar family-like relationships?
A. I think they did, yes, especially Bobby and Stella. I thought they had a real tight-knit bond. As the weeks wore on, I saw all the children kind of bond as if they were siblings. That was very sweet and tender to me. I was glad I could observe that and hopefully contributed a little bit to that by just being able to give them insight into our personalities.
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. I think everybody has empathy for an underdog. I think that everyone wants to see triumph over tragedy. I think each life, in its own way, has had a tragic thread in it; but each life, I believe, has a triumphant thread in it. "Coat of Many Colors" is an example of that, a supreme example of that, and I also think Dolly's gift as a songwriter is able to interweave that throughout the thread of the story.
Q. What was your favorite moment or take away from the movie?
A. There were so many, but I think as much as anything, just watching the children interact in the living room with my parents. Those were some of the most tender parts of the film for me.
Stella's closing remarks on the significance of worship in the film.
A. It was very, very important to me that everyone see the film and the honest, sincere form of worship that I grew up with. I wanted all the actors to also see that. They all got into it in a very sincere way. I loved it, and I thought it was very, very special. I believe people will see it as a high point in the film.
See more cast interviews and tune in Thursday, December 10 at 9/8c on NBC to watch Stella Parton as Corla Bass in "Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors."
Mary Lane Haskell portrays Miss Moody, Dolly's teacher, in "Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors." The young actress shares her favorite Dolly song and talks about how Stella Parton's presence on-set impacted her.
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Q. As you started to develop your character, what things about Miss Moody stood out or perhaps surprised you?
A. Miss Moody got out, she went to school, she educated herself. She had a hunger for learning but, most importantly, she had a passion for coming back home and sharing that learning with these kids. That was something that I loved learning about her.
Q. The Parton family is known for their tight-knit bonds. While filming, did the cast develop similar family-like relationships?
A. Oh Yes! It was about a 20-day shoot, we were all there living in this little hotel in Conyers, GA. It had a pool out back and after a long day of shooting, everybody would go out back and swim in the pool. We'd have movie nights where we'd all get together and watch movies in one of our hotel rooms, and we did become a family. We all miss each other. We're all very connected on social media still.
Q. Considering everything you have done in your career, where does this role rank in your list of achievements?
A. As far as acting achievements, especially television, I would consider it my big break. I lived in New York for eight years, and I did a lot of singing work. I debuted at Carnegie Hall when I was 18 and had sung all over New York in concert venues. This was the first time that I've had a character that stuck around for the whole thing. It really was incredible and what I'm hoping will be a career-defining role for me. I loved every moment of it, and I feel very, very blessed.
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. I think it's because there are so many facets of the story. Of course, there are the people who experience the poverty and the struggle that the Parton's faced in 1955. They hear how Dolly rose above it.
I was bullied as a child. [I thought] if Dolly Parton can be bullied and become what she has become, then what's going to stop me from achieving my dreams? If you know who you are and you like who you are and you have a family you love and that supports you in your dreams, then you can achieve anything. I think that's something that I always related to as a child listening to "Coat of Many Colors."
Q. Other than "Coat of Many Colors" do you have a favorite Dolly song?
A. That's almost an impossible question because I have so many favorite Dolly Parton songs, but I would have to say "The Seeker" is probably my all-time favorite. I think it's such a great message about no matter where we are in our lives, no matter how successful or no matter what's going on, we have to remember that we're all just seekers. We're all just looking to do right by the Man from which all blessings flow.
Q. What was your favorite moment of making the film or your favorite takeaway?
During the final scene, I was sitting next to Miss Stella Parton. Miss Stella was moved on a different level. In that moment, I realized this was something from her life that actually happened in her life, and watching her react to seeing it unfold again in such an authentic way was so special.
See more cast interviews and tune in Thursday, December 10 at 9/8c on NBC to watch Mary Lane Haskell as Miss Moody in "Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors."
Carson, like her character, naturally found herself watching after the younger children on set and even shared her favorite hobby with a few, which became a big hit.
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Q. As you started to develop your character, what things about Willadeene stood out or perhaps surprised you?
A. I bought all of her books, her cookbook and "Smoky Mountain Memories." I did a lot of reading about her. I loved that she kept the letters from her sisters and kind of held all those memories so dear to her. And then Stella [Parton] being on set told me great stories about her sister. One of my favorite's is that Willadeene would put perfume on the girls before she would go out which would always make them happy.
Q. The Parton family is known for their tight-knit bonds. While filming, did the cast develop similar family-like relationships?
A. Oh yeah, absolutely. I think working with all the kids it's hard not to feel like a family. We were all staying at one hotel, so we would all go to the pool after. I taught the girls how to knit, which was really fun, and crochet because I'm a big crocheter myself. It reminded me of being at summer camp. I loved everybody on set. It was a really, really special group.
Q. Considering everything you have done in your career, where does this role rank in your list of achievements?
A. It's the greatest thing that's ever happened to me! I've always been a huge Dolly fan my whole life. I've read all of her books, her movies, her songs. I just think she's a really, really special person and somebody that's worthy of all the success and fame that she's achieved. So for me to be able to work with Dolly is a dream come true.
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. This idea that you can't buy love and that nothing else really matters. It's all just family...the importance of family and community and faith and all the things that have nothing to do with material objects.
Q. Other than "Coat of Many Colors" do you have a favorite Dolly song?
A. Yes, "Heartbreak Express" has always been my favorite. I used to listen to it on constant replay in the car on my way to school when I was in high school. It's gotten me through so many heartaches and heartbreaks.
Q. What was your favorite moment of making the film or your favorite takeaway?
A. I don't know if I can pin it down to one moment. I had a hard time sleeping, because I was so excited for the next day of work. I loved every moment of it.
See more cast interviews and tune in Thursday, December 10 at 9/8c on NBC to watch Carson Meyer as Willadeene Parton in "Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors."
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."
