Featured photo courtesy of Mary Alice Lovelace
On a stage as unique as her fashion sense, Dolly Parton delivered a soulful and inspiring performance to a sold-out crowd at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre. It's one of America's most beautiful concert venues and unlike anywhere else in the world. Dolly said,
"We have been looking so forward to coming back to Red Rocks! I think I was here back in 1972 with, who else but, Willie Nelson! I remember this being one of the most beautiful places I'd ever seen."
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Between Ship Rock and Creation Rock, Dolly delivered hit after hit including “My Tennessee Mountain Home,” "Jolene," “Coat of Many Colors” and "Little Sparrow" just to name a few. She also gave fans a sample of her new album with the title track "Pure and Simple" and “I’m Standing Outside Your Door.”
Watch “I’m Standing Outside Your Door” Lyric Video World Premier
When the fans called for more, Dolly encored with her signature song, "I Will Always Love You" followed by her powerful, spiritual performance of “Hello God/He’s Alive.”
The 60-city Pure & Simple tour rolls on visiting town after town in the US and Canada. Sometimes it's unclear who is more excited, Dolly or her fans.
Now available for pre-order, Dolly's new studio album, "Pure & Simple" will release worldwide on August 19.
See Pure & Simple Tour Schedule
Photo Credit: Dustin Rabin Photography
All set to embark on the Canadian leg of her 60-city Pure & Simple tour, Dolly Parton charmed the audience at a press conference in Toronto with her quick wit and her optimistic outlook on life. She was candid about her career, the music industry and her upcoming plans. She added in a few jokes about politics and reminded everyone that the world needs much more love and kindness. In fact, love seemed to be a common thread in Dolly's 45-minute long chat with reporters.
Dolly spoke about her 50th wedding anniversary which she recently celebrated with her husband, Carl Dean. She mentioned her movie deal with NBC and shared her excitement for a sequel to the 2015 record-breaking holiday special based on her song, "Coat of Many Colors." The original cast will return for "Dolly Parton’s Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love" this December.
Her message of love flowed naturally into her aspirations for her Imagination Library. Dolly says the free book-gifting organization hopes to soon have 100,000 registered children receiving books each month.
Dolly shared her fond appreciation for her fans from the LGBT community and expressed her sadness in the wake of the recent attack in Orlando, FL. Dolly said,
"I do have a big gay following, and I’m the patron saint to a lot of those guys and it makes me feel good. But as far as what happened in Orlando, that’s just horrible. It doesn’t matter what kind of a club it happened to be. It’s a hate crime, looks to me like what they say. I am not God, I am no judge, I just know that God loves us all."
As the Pure & Simple Tour continues, fans of all ages and from all walks of life will come together to see and hear Dolly, pure and simple. In her closing remarks, Dolly's contagious positivity shined as bright as the rhinestones on her suit when she said,
"Everyday I wake up with new dreams."
Photo Credit: © Mary Alice Lovelace
Dolly Parton's Pure & Simple tour is off and running, thanks to the overwhelming love she received from fans on opening weekend. As the tour winds its way across the United States and Canada, Dolly will take the stage sharing stories, singing songs and entertaining her fans night after night.
During the two-hour long show, Dolly plays a multitude of instruments, including electric guitar, banjo, fiddle, dulcimer, piano and the autoharp. From the stage, Dolly expressed her gratitude to her fans,
“It is fun being on the road again. I’ve been at it a long time. I appreciate you for allowing that to happen.”
Dolly shares pure and simple stories behind some of her songs such as "Coat of Many Colors." The set list includes the hits her fans love, along with a few new songs from Dolly's forthcoming album, "Pure & Simple," set for release this summer.
The iconic performer, entrepreneur and entertainment mogul will not only be touring the country, but she’s also executive producing "Dolly Parton’s Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love." Coming off the phenomenal performance of last year’s holiday special, and looking to recapture the enthusiasm of the nearly 16 million viewers who tuned in, Dolly is teaming up with Pamela K. Long and Sam Haskell as executive producers on the NBC film. The original cast will return for the sequel: Jennifer Nettles as Avie Lee Parton, Ricky Schroder as Robert Lee Parton, Gerald McRaney as Rev. Jake Owens and Alyvia Alyn Lind as young Dolly Parton.
This summer, Dolly Parton is embarking on a 60-city tour throughout the United States and Canada and she is making a special stop in Pigeon Forge, TN. On Nov. 15, Dolly will return to her hometown for a special concert which will benefit her Imagination Library.
Dolly's set list during the tour includes a number of hit songs, with a few new offerings from her double-disc album "Pure & Simple with Dolly’s Biggest Hits." She will also perform a number of hits that have not been heard live by some fans in decades.
Tickets go on sale to Dollywood season passholders on June 15 and to the general public on July 1. The concert is set for Nov. 15 at LeConte Center in Pigeon Forge, TN.
UPDATE July 5: SOLD OUT
Dolly Parton's Imagination Library is a book gifting organization which began in Sevier County, TN. The program, inspired by Dolly's father, has sent over 77 million free books to children in Australia, Canada, United Kingdom and the United States.
View Dolly Parton's Pure & Simple Tour Schedule.
Dolly Parton's largest North American tour in 25 Years Kicks Off on June 3. Coming off the heels of a headline-making performance at the ACM Awards in early April, Dolly is heading out on her largest North American tour in over two decades. Tickets are selling fast for the first leg of the Pure & Simple Tour, which includes a total of 16 dates.
Dolly Parton's Pure & Simple Tour Dates
The Pure & Simple Tour coincides with the summer release of her double-disc album "Pure & Simple with Dolly’s Biggest Hits." The collection will include some of her most popular singles as well as a few new tracks. The set list features several of Dolly's biggest hits along with a few new songs from the double-disc album. She will also perform songs which some fans have not heard live in decades!
Additional U.S. dates for the historic North American tour will be announced soon as well as Dolly's highly-anticipated return to Canada. The entertainment icon is on one of the biggest hot streaks of her career after her hugely successful TV movie, “Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors,” attracted a network record of more than 16 million viewers. It was the most watched movie on network TV in more than three years. It becomes available on DVD May 3.
