Country Music icons and longtime friends, Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson, reunite on “Pretty Paper” for Dolly’s new holiday album, "A Holly Dolly Christmas." The album is Dolly’s first Christmas release in 30 years and features an array of special guests. Willie’s appearance on “Pretty Paper” is certainly a highlight, as it reunites two of music’s most honored performers.
Willie and Dolly’s friendship extends beyond music, but it was music that brought them together. In the early days of their careers, Willie and Dolly bonded over a shared love of songwriting. Later, they would go on to perform and record together on songs such as 1982 Top 10 hit, “Everything’s Beautiful (In Its Own Way),” from the collaborative compilation album The Winning Hand. They also shared the small screen with their dear friend Kenny Rogers for the 1989 television special, Kenny, Dolly and Willie: Something Inside So Strong. In 2013, Willie released To All the Girls…, which featured a touching duet with Dolly on her song “From Here to the Moon and Back.” Today, their long-lasting friendship has brought the legendary songwriters back together to recreate Willie’s timeless classic, “Pretty Paper.” When reflecting on his friendship with Dolly, Willie said,
“I love her! Anything she sings!... And I’m glad to sing with her anytime, anywhere.”
In an exclusive Front Porch interview, Willie talks about his relationship with Dolly. In addition to their friendship, Willie discusses his excitement to collaborate with her again.
Watch Willie Nelson’s Front Porch interview to hear more about their special collaboration on “Pretty Paper,” then see what Dolly had to say about Willie in her exclusive Front Porch interview.
Available now, A Holly Dolly Christmas is Dolly’s first holiday album in 30 years. This festive collection of music includes treasured Christmas songs we all know and love, as well as five original tunes written by Dolly, one she co-wrote with Kent Wells and one written by her niece, Jada Star, with co-writer Barry Jobe. The album features incredible duets with some of Dolly’s dearest friends, including Michael Bublé, Billy Ray Cyrus, Miley Cyrus, Jimmy Fallon and Willie Nelson and also spotlights a special song with her brother, Randy Parton, and niece, Heidi Parton.
With a list of memorable duets forged in music history, longtime friends Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson reunited to record “Pretty Paper,” a song penned by Nelson in the early 60s. Little did they know, in the early days of their careers as staff songwriters at Combine Music, that they would both become living legends and share nearly 60 years of friendship.
Dolly fell in love with “Pretty Paper” the first time she heard it and knew she wanted to someday record it on a Christmas project of her own. When she began gathering songs for A Holly Dolly Christmas, “Pretty Paper” was at the top of her list. She wasted no time in calling her dear friend, Willie Nelson, and asked him to join her on a new version of his timeless holiday classic. When discussing the opportunity to work with her lifelong friend again, Dolly said,
“I’ve always loved Willie’s songs. I really, really just love anything he writes.”
In an exclusive Front Porch interview, Dolly talks about her friendship with Willie. She also shares how this collaboration came about.
Be sure to watch Willie’s exclusive Front Porch interview about his collaboration with Dolly on “Pretty Paper.”
Available now, A Holly Dolly Christmas is Dolly’s first holiday album in 30 years. This festive collection of music includes treasured Christmas songs we all know and love, as well as five original tunes written by Dolly, one she co-wrote with Kent Wells and one written by her niece, Jada Star, with co-writer Barry Jobe. The album features incredible duets with some of Dolly’s dearest friends, including Michael Bublé, Billy Ray Cyrus, Miley Cyrus, Jimmy Fallon and Willie Nelson and also spotlights a special song with her brother, Randy Parton, and niece, Heidi Parton.
Grammy-winning director, Joseph Kahn has created a masterpiece in the new "Forever Country" music video. It's Country music's history, legacy, tradition, evolution and future on a spectacular moving canvas.
While her self-described simple lyrics from "I Will Always Love You" are woven throughout "Forever Country," Dolly Parton's presence in the video is nothing short of enchanting.
Dolly, Willie Nelson and 28 artists appear in what can only be described as the most incredible celebration of the genre since its inception. From breathtaking scenes within the Blue Ridge Mountains to a street view of the historic Ryman Auditorium the images tug on the heartstrings of generations of country fans. Watch closely for a glimpse of legends like Randy Travis, Charley Pride and Alabama. Current stars are also in the mix including Vince Gill, Keith Urban, Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood.
CMA 50th "Forever Country" is a mashup of "Take Me Home, Country Roads" by the late John Denver, "On the Road Again" by Willie Nelson and Dolly's "I Will Always Love You."
Viewers of ABC's "Dancing With The Stars" received a sneak peek of the "Forever Country" video during the Tuesday night episode on Sept. 20. The world premiere was held online at ForeverCountry50.com.
"Forever Country" was introduced to radio listeners on Friday, Sept. 16. Proceeds from the sale of this once-in-a-lifetime collaboration benefit the CMA Foundation, which donates millions to support music education in schools.
The 50th Annual CMA Awards will air live from Nashville, TN on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016.
"Forever Country" is a mashup of three Country mega hits by Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson and the late John Denver.
Thirty legendary and current Country superstars including Dolly and Willie appear in this first-of-its-kind, genre-specific music video directed by Grammy Awards Winner, Joseph Kahn. It’s hailed as the biggest music video in the history of the format.
Together "Take Me Home, Country Roads," "On the Road Again" and "I Will Always Love You" make up "Forever Country." These songs are not only synonymous with the icons who made them famous, but each one is a timeless classic. All three have taken their rightful place both in music and in American Pop Culture.
"Forever Country" hits radio airwaves on Friday, Sept. 16 at 8:30 a.m. EST and the highly anticipated video will debut on Tuesday, September 20.
Proceeds from the sale of "Forever Country" benefit the CMA Foundation, which donates millions to support music education in schools.
The 50th Annual CMA Awards will air live from Nashville, TN on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016.
In 1991, Dolly starred as country singer Thiola Rayfield alongside Gary Busey as her abusive manager in the 1991 made-for-television film "Wild Texas Wind." The film tells the story of Thiola’s country music band’s rise to fame as a murder mystery unravels.
Dolly co-wrote the film as well as several of its songs. Asleep at the Wheel’s Ray Benson appears along with Willie Nelson who makes a cameo.
