Dolly won the 2001 GRAMMY Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance for her cover of the Collective Soul song "Shine" from her album "Little Sparrow," marking her third win in that category and seventh overall.
Collective Soul lead singer Ed Roland was blown away when he found out Dolly covered the group’s song,
"In all honesty, the first CD, which has 'Shine' on it, basically was a songwriter's demo, trying to get a publishing deal and try to showcase songs. It's the first time ever we've had one of those songs covered, and it's an honor, and really cool... especially coming from someone who's a great songwriter. It's not necessary for her to use anyone's songs except her own."
Dolly explains that the cover comes from a real affinity for the original version of the song.
"When that record came out years ago, my husband and I were riding in the car and heard it...We listened to see who it was and went and got it and played it off and on in the house for years. I've been trying to think of how I can sing it without all the rock stuff; it sounds spiritual and all that, and the melody lent itself well to some bluegrass harmonies. I figured we'd kick it around and if it didn't work, we wouldn't put it on. But it worked out great."
Dolly’s reaction was anything but reserved,
"I broke my high heels jumping up and down. It is one of the biggest thrills of my bluegrass life."
In addition to earning Dolly her sixth GRAMMY Award, 'The Grass Is Blue' won Album of the Year Award in 2000 from the International Bluegrass Music Association. The award ceremony was held in October of 2000 in Louisville, Kentucky.
Dolly starred as Leanna Taylor in her made-for-television movie, "Blue Valley Songbird" and worked behind the scenes as the film’s executive producer.
The movie aired on Lifetime in November of 1999. Leanna Taylor is a Nashville singer who uses her music to face her troubled upbringing. Dolly’s inspiration came from her song "Blue Valley Songbird" on her album "Hungry Again." Dolly said,
“As soon as I wrote the song, I had full intentions of making a movie from it… In my mind, I thought, 'This is like a screenplay.'”
Dolly took a hands-on approach to the project.
"I was very involved… And I promoted shooting the movie in Nashville from day one. I was thrilled that we could film it here… I felt it was very important to find Southern people to write this script… The writers we chose were both from the South, so they had an understanding of it."
While there is no official soundtrack, a number of the songs in the movie are available on Dolly’s album "Hungry Again."
Dolly, along with Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt, won the 1999 GRAMMY Award for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals for their version of the song "After the Gold Rush" from their album "Trio 2." The song, a cover tune written by Neil Young, originally appeared on his 1970 album "After the Gold Rush." Emmylou Harris accepted the award on February 23, 2000, in a pre-show ceremony. This is Dolly's fifth GRAMMY win.
Dollywood celebrated Dolly’s story in 1998 with the addition of "Paradise Road: The Life and Songs of Dolly Parton." The major Broadway-style show chronicled the superstar’s amazing career. Dolly lent her life story and her songs to a young Janelle Arthur as she played little Dolly. The production was showcased in Celebrity Theater.
Dollywood’s 13th season also marked the opening of Daredevil Falls. It was a unique waterfall ride featuring a 63 mph free fall. Dolly opened Daredevil Falls with a little help from the flying Elvises. As the flying Elvises flew overhead Dolly introduced the world to the tallest and fastest flume ride in the United States.
