Dolly’s Pirates Voyage in Myrtle Beach, SC opened to a sold-out crowd on, June 23, 2011. Dolly herself was there to welcome the hundreds of guests to her newest attraction. She was greeted by screams as she made her way to the Pirates Village stage.
In addition to members of the community, South Carolina Governor Alan Clemmons was there to welcome Dolly back to the Myrtle Beach area. Before the grand opening, Governor Clemmons presented Dolly with a proclamation from the South Carolina General Assembly naming that Friday as ”Dolly Parton Day” across the state.
In another interview, Dolly told reporters she could remember visiting Myrtle Beach as a child with her family. Dolly also told the crowd, she was very proud of her new show, saying,
“You know me. I’m kind of daring and adventurous, so I decided to change it up a bit.”
Gratefully accepting the honor, Dolly told the crowd that South Carolina was very near and dear to her heart, because her mother was born there and it felt like a second home to her.
"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 appeared several times between 2006 and 2010 on Miley Cyrus’ hit show "Hannah Montana" as Aunt Dolly, Hannah’s godmother. The character was a Nashville native who lived with her husband, Uncle Pete (who never appeared on camera).
Dolly’s first appearance was in the season one episode "Good Golly Miss Dolly" in 2006. Her last appearance was in the season four episode "Kiss it all Goodbye" in 2010. She also appeared in the season two episode "I Will Always Loathe You."
Dolly said of her role on the show,
“I'm famous now 'cause I'm Hannah Montana's Aunt Dolly. Little kids just see me in the street and just point — 'Aunt Dolly!' or 'Hi, Aunt Dolly!' — and it's just been so cute."
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.
