Dolly began her "Better Day" World Tour on July 17, 2011, at Thompson-Boling arena in Knoxville, Tenn. It concluded on Dec. 1, 2011, at Melbourne Australia’s Rod Laver Arena. All told, Dolly played 50 dates, sold nearly 275,000 tickets, and grossed $34 million (her most successful tour to date).
Dolly was really excited to announce her "Better Day" World Tour saying,
"I had a great time when we were in Europe on the last ‘Backwoods Barbie’ tour, and I expect to have even more fun on the up and coming 'Better Day' World Tour. I'm really looking forward to this, and I can't wait to see all the fans again. We have a lot fun things for everybody!"
"Together You and I" is the first single from Dolly’s 41st studio album "Better Day." The single was released on May 23, 2011. The song was previously released in 1974 as a duet on the "Porter 'n' Dolly" album with Porter Wagoner. Dolly performed the new version of the song on the "Ellen Degeneres Show" (May 27, 2011) and on "The Tonight Show" with Jay Leno (July 22, 2011).
Dolly said of the song,
“‘Together You and I’ is one of my favorite love songs that I have written, and I’ve always been a sucker for romance. We all kind of have that fantasy that once you fall in love, it’s going to be forever. I think people still dream of that even when love goes bad.”
The single reached the British singles chart in 2011, peaking at No. 67.
Dolly contributed her voice in two cameo roles in the Canadian coming-of-age film "The Year Dolly Parton Was My Mom," released in 2011. The main character, Elizabeth, played by Julia Stone, grows up in the 1970s idolizing Dolly and her individualism. The film includes several of Dolly’s songs, including versions sung by Canadian artists Martha Wainwright, Coral Egan, Nelly Furtado, Genevieve Toupin, and Wailin’ Jennies.
The film was directed by Calgary Alberta’s Tara Johns who explained her inclusion of Dolly,
“...I heard a radio interview that Dolly Parton gave. I was blown away by what a strong, independent, forthright woman she really was, and she always has been. And I just thought she’d be such a cool role model for so many girls, especially in the ‘70s. She’s like Madonna for the ‘70s.”
Dolly said after seeing the movie,
“I thought it was really, really great and was very, very proud of it... I thought everyone was great. But, I especially loved my little daughter. (Ha!)”
Dolly sang and co-wrote the duet "The Right Time" with her friend Billy Ray Cyrus (and Morris Tancredi) on the 2010 debut album "Brother Clyde," the name taken after Cyrus’ alternative rock band of the same name. Allmusic.com reviewer Thom Jurek said of the track,
"The Right Time" is the first glance toward country, but only because Dolly Parton co-wrote and appears on it. A roots rocker, she rises to the band's intensity and helps deliver one of the best cuts here.”
Cyrus really got the most from Dolly in their hard-driving collaboration.
"Dolly, she said she wanted to rock... She came to my studio, brought homemade corn, mashed potatoes and a spread of country cooking. We ate, played guitar for an hour then she just kicked ass. She became like Tina Turner. You could tell she really wanted this."
The album was released on Aug. 10, 2010.
Dollywood, with Dolly’s help, expanded its entertainment lineup to welcome "Sha-Kon-A-Hey! Land of Blue Smoke," the most elaborate musical production in the park’s 24-year history. Dolly said,
“Having grown up and lived in the heart of these beautiful mountains, my love for this area is deep, genuine and heartfelt. Sha-Kon-O-Hey! celebrates the wonderful people, music and proud heritage of this spectacular place,”
With Dolly’s help, Dollywood also added "Le Grande Cirque’s Imaginé," showcasing international performers from around the world.
“I’m proud that Dollywood offers families a great place to spend time together, and this year, they get to enjoy two incredible new shows that I’m especially excited about. There’s special effects and things I’ve only dreamed about, and some great music, some I even wrote myself, that’s absolutely going to leave folks speechless. Maybe even me, too!”
