Leading up to Thanksgiving, Dolly fans will have plenty to chat about around the family table this Turkey Day with the debut of “Dolly Parton’s Heartstrings” on Netflix (Nov. 22) and the two-hour NBC special "Dolly Parton: 50 Years at the Grand Ole Opry" (Nov. 26).
Netflix subscribers have been eagerly awaiting the debut of “Dolly Parton’s Heartstrings” for several months. Eight stories focused on faith, love and forgiveness, all inspired by Dolly’s iconic songs, will be available on Nov. 22.
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Dolly is also gracing the small screen on network television with the two-hour special "Dolly Parton: 50 Years at the Grand Ole Opry" airing on NBC on Nov. 26 at 9 PM EST. The special was filmed back in October during Dolly Week at the Opry. It features new interviews and Opry performances from Dolly and her "Trio" pal Emmylou Harris. A host of other artists are featured including Dierks Bentley, Chris Janson, Toby Keith, Lady Antebellum, Margo Price, Hank Williams Jr. and more.
© Grand Ole Opry | Photo by Curtis Hilbun
As both events are set to premiere, Dolly makes her rounds promoting, most recently appearing on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon where she shared the origin of her two biggest assets.
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Heartstrings and Opry special come on the heals of Dolly's monumental night of co-hosting the CMA Awards with Reba McEntire and Carrie Underwood. And, in case you missed it, the night before the CMA Awards, Good Morning America's Robin Roberts hosted Dolly during the ABC special “Dolly Parton: Here She Comes Again!”
Country music legend Dolly Parton is returning to NBC and will perform at one of the most iconic stages in the world when "Dolly Parton: 50 Years at the Grand Ole Opry" airs Tuesday, November 26 from 9-11 p.m. ET/PT.
A celebration of Dolly's 50 years as a member of the Grand Ole Opry, the special will feature new interviews as well as a performance from Dolly on the Opry stage where she'll deliver some of her biggest hits in front of a live audience.
"I'm so thrilled to be celebrating my 50-year anniversary with the Grand Ole Opry," Dolly said. "I'm also excited that NBC wanted to share in this milestone with me. Together we hope to entertain a broader audience on what the Grand Ole Opry is and what it means to me. We have some special treats, surprises and great performances by some very talented artists and I'm looking so forward to sharing it with you."
Joining Dolly in the celebration, her superstar friends — Dierks Bently, Emmylou Harris, Chris Janson, Toby Keith, Lady Antebellum, Margo Price, Hank Williams Jr., and others — will also be on board to honor Dolly's career and perform.
“Dolly Parton’s impact on country music is beyond description, and she remains a cherished icon,” said Doug Vaughan, Executive Vice President, Special Programs, NBC Entertainment. “Dolly will always have a home at NBC and we can’t wait for her to deliver her wonderful collection of hits to the Opry stage.”
“Since officially joining the Opry 50 years ago, Dolly Parton has taken the country music world — and the world, for that matter — by storm, taking her Opry roots with her,” said Dan Rogers, Opry vice president and executive producer. “We are thrilled that the girl who grew up listening to the Opry with her family in the Smoky Mountains will be sharing the heart of the Opry live this week on the Opry stage and with millions of fans next month on NBC.”
Watch as Dolly performs her #1 hits at the Opry during the two-hour television special, airing November 26 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on NBC. "Dolly Parton: 50 Years at the Grand Ole Opry" is a production of Man Alive Entertainment. Justin Gorman and Matthew Hickling are the Executive Producers.
What began as a simple radio broadcast in 1925 is today a live entertainment phenomenon. Dedicated to honoring country music’s rich history and dynamic present, the Grand Ole Opry showcases a mix of country legends and the contemporary chart-toppers who have followed in their footsteps. The Opry, an American icon and Nashville’s #1 attraction, is world famous for creating one-of-a-kind entertainment experiences for audiences of all ages. It’s been called the “home of American music” and “the show that made country music famous.” Through the years the Opry has welcomed iconic artists such as Patsy Cline, George Jones and Dolly Parton as members. The tradition continues today with recent inductees that include Luke Combs, Kelsea Ballerini and Chris Janson, among others.
On July 13, the Television Academy announced nominations for the 69th Emmy® Awards. Television Academy Chairman and CEO Hayma Washington along with Anna Chlumsky from the HBO series "Veep" and Shemar Moore from CBS’ "S.W.A.T." hosted the ceremony. "Dolly Parton’s Christmas of Many Colors: Circle Of Love" is among those recognized by the organization. This second installment of Dolly’s four-movie deal with NBC is nominated for Outstanding Television Movie. Dolly said,
"I am so very proud and excited to have ‘Christmas of Many Colors’ be nominated for an Emmy award. Special thanks to my partner and executive producer Sam Haskell, a wonderful cast and crew, Steve Herek (our producer) and Pamela Long for a great script. And a special thanks to all of the many fans that watched it."
In the two-hour movie, the Partons, a family of humble means living in the mountains of East Tennessee, face a devastating event, challenging their will. But when they experience a bewildering Christmas miracle, the Partons are drawn closer together than ever — with deepened faith and love for one another. Jennifer Nettles, who plays Dolly’s mother in the film, said,
“This project for me was a celebration of the family and the beautiful story of Miss Dolly Parton. Each day I played Avie Lee Parton was a joy. For "Christmas of Many Colors" to be nominated and celebrated further by the Emmy's, thrills me.”
The 69th Emmy Awards will telecast live from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, CA. Watch on Sunday, September 17 (8:00-11:00 PM ET/5:00-8:00 PM PT) on CBS. Stephen Colbert will serve as host. White Cherry Entertainment will produce the 69th Emmy Awards. Glenn Weiss and Ricky Kirshner are executive producers. Weiss is the director. And Chris Licht, executive producer of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, is a producer.
Here is a list of works nominated alongside "Christmas of Many Colors."
See a full list of Emmy nominees
Alyvia Alyn Lind, Jennifer Nettles, Ricky Schroder, and Gerald McCraney co-starred in the holiday movie. The film aired on NBC, with Dolly Parton making a special guest appearance. In addition to the Emmy nomination, "Christmas of Many Colors" earned the Movieguide® Epiphany Prize. The family-focused film also received honors at the 68th Annual Christopher Awards.
This nomination marks Dolly's second Emmy nod. She received her first in 1978. Her appearance on the one-time television special "Cher…Special" earned Dolly a nomination for Outstanding Continuing or Single Performance by a Supporting Actress in Variety or Music.
Dolly Parton continues to enjoy a successful music career on many levels. Her “Pure & Simple” album and tour were both resounding successes, as have been her two NBC-TV movies from the holiday seasons, 2015’s “Coat of Many Colors,” and 2016’s “Christmas Of Many Colors: Circle of Love.” Both films were resounding successes for the network, and have resulted in a series of awards.
“Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love” was cited as one of the TV and Cable winners of the 68th Annual Christopher Awards. The awards also recognized “This Is Us,” the runaway hit of the season. Academy Award Nominees “Hidden Figures” and “Hacksaw Ridge” were honored. Additionally, “Gold Star Parents,” an episode of the long-running CBS news magazine staple “60 Minutes” received honors. The award ceremony is set for May 16, 2017.
The Christopher Awards win is the latest for the film, which also includes the Movieguide® Epiphany Prize for Television. It marks the second straight win for a Dolly-related project, following “Coat of Many Colors.”
In April of 2016, “Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors” received the Academy of Country Music's Tex Ritter Award. This award honors a movie "released and/or receiving major exposure during the preceding calendar year, featuring or utilizing country music." The award shares its name with Tex Ritter. Ritter was a film and music star from the 1930s through the 1970s.
Currently, Dolly is producing a new dinner theatre in Pigeon Forge. The new show celebrates her family’s history and heritage rooted in the Great Smoky Mountains. Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain Adventures celebrates the real-life people who captivated television audiences.
Dolly’s experiences growing up in the mountains of East Tennessee, and her memories of celebrating the holidays with her family provided inspiration for both films. “Circle of Love” also detailed the beginning of Dolly’s desire to make it in the music business. Both projects starred Rick Schroder and Jennifer Nettles as her parents, Robert and Avie. Gerald McCraney was cast as her grandfather, Jake Owens. Winning rave reviews for her portrayal of Little Dolly in the movies was young actress Alyvia Alyn Lind.
Dolly Parton will make a special guest appearance on NBC's "The Voice" on Nov. 29 where she will perform "Circle of Love" with Jennifer Nettles from her new movie set to air the following night. Dolly and the a cappella group Pentatonix will also join Miley Cyrus in a special performance of "Jolene."
Miley Cyrus, Dolly's goddaughter, has enjoyed an exciting season as a coach alongside Blake Shelton, Alicia Keys, Adam Levine and host Carson Daly.
Dolly's appearance on "The Voice" is just part of several guest spots in support of the new film. Dolly will grace the cover of the Nov 27th issue of "Parade" magazine and will have a feature in "US Weekly." She will appear on "The REAL," a daytime syndicated talk show on Nov. 30. Plus, viewers can catch Dolly on "Christmas In Rockefeller Center" which airs on NBC at 8 p.m. EST/7 p.m. CST, Nov. 30 just before the world premiere of "Dolly Parton's Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love."
Jennifer Nettles, Ricky Schroder, Gerald McCraney and Alyvia Alyn Lind will co-star in the upcoming holiday movie “Dolly Parton’s Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love” airing Wednesday, Nov. 30 at 9 p.m. EST/8 p.m. CST with Dolly Parton making a special guest appearance. In the two-hour movie, the Partons, a family of humble means living in the mountains of East Tennessee, face a devastating event that challenges their will. But when they experience a bewildering Christmas miracle, the Partons are drawn closer together than ever — with deepened faith and love for one another.
