Dolly appeared in the "Urban Chipmunk" episode of the animated television show, "Alvin and the Chipmunks." The episode originally aired on Nov. 5, 1983, and featured Alvin and the Chipmunks entering a singing contest to win a chance to sing with Dolly, who is Alvin’s favorite country singer. Unfortunately, the rules state that only contestants from Nashville, Tenn., can win. The Chipmunks win but aren't from Nashville so hijinks ensue.
The series aired from 1983 to 1990 on NBC and was the follow-up to the original series "The Alvin Show" which aired in the early 1960s. The show revolved around the shenanigans of three chipmunk brothers named Alvin, Simon, and Theodore and their human adoptive father named David. Very popular among children, the show aired in syndication on multiple television networks.
The two artists had previously recorded each other’s songs but only met on a few occasions. "Islands in the Stream" marked their first duet recording. However, Rogers originally intended to perform the song as a solo.
Dolly happened to be in the same studio when Kenny and his team were struggling to make the song work. They approached her about turning the song into a duet. Rogers said,
“Once she came in [the studio], that song was never the same. She lit it up and we became good friends from that point on.”
Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb (the Bee Gees) wrote the song originally for Marvin Gaye. It was based on the novel by Ernest Hemingway of the same name and was originally intended to be an R&B song. Barry and Maurice Gibb also performed as background singers and musicians on the Dolly and Kenny recording.
The song reached No. 1 on the pop, country and adult contemporary charts. It first appeared on Rogers’ "Eyes that See in the Dark" album, released on RCA records in August 1983. Dolly and Kenny received a GRAMMY nomination for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group.
The song appeared on the compilation album "The Winning Hand." The album featured songs by Dolly, Willie, Brenda Lee and Kris Kristofferson from their time at Monument Records.
The single, "Everything’s Beautiful (In Its Own Way)" reached No. 7 on the US Country Singles Charts.
In 1982, Dolly starred alongside Burt Reynolds in the American musical comedy film, "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas." The film revolves around a sheriff, played by Burt Reynolds, and a regular patron who fights to keep a historical whorehouse open when a television preacher targets it as the devil’s playhouse.
The film was Dolly’s second appearance in a major theatrical release, her first being "9 to 5." The film was successfully positioned as a star vehicle for Dolly and Burt Reynolds.
With a budget of $35 million and gross box office sales of $69 million, the film was a huge success. It earned Golden Globe nominations for Best Motion Picture in a Comedy or Musical and Best Actress in a Motion Picture Comedy or Musical for Dolly.
The song appears on her album, "9 to 5 and Odd Jobs." It is based on the film of the same name in which Dolly starred alongside Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin. Dolly explained in her Rolling Stone interview why she accepted the role that inspired the hit song,
"'Nine to Five' fascinated me, and I knew instantly that I should do it – I knew that it was a career move. And it fell together really well – just according to my lists."
Dolly was unable to attend the awards show. Her "9 to 5" co-star, Dabney Coleman, accepted the award on her behalf and Ann Jillian performed the song.
The 7th Annual People's Choice Awards were held at the Desilu TV studios in Los Angeles, California on, March 9, 1981. The show was broadcast on CBS.
