Dolly Parton News

According to Leah Garchik’s column in the San Francisco Chronicle today, Dolly is one of many artists slated to appear at the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival taking place at San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park on Oct 1st and 2nd. Other artists appearaing at the free, general admission, two-day event include Emmylou Harris, Earl Scruggs, Ricky Skaggs, Ralph Stanley, Rhonda Vincent and others. No word as of yet of the date of Dolly’s performance, but more information will be posted here as it becomes available.

Dolly made several major announcements in the press room before her appearance at the CMA Music Fest last week. She provided many new details on her upcoming album Those Were The Days (formerly titled Blue Smoke, but the song has been dropped from the album). The album, which is set to be released in October, will feature Dolly’s unique versions of classic folk songs, and will also feature many guest stars. Popular country newcomers Keith Urban and Joe Nichols will duet with Dolly on “The Twelfth Of Never” and “If I Were A Carpeneter,” respectively. Dolly has also enlisted the help of John Lennon’s son, Sean, for her cover of Lennon’s “Imagine,” and Tommy James for a remake of his hit “Crimson & Clover.” Other artists said to appear on the album include Norah Jones, Sarah McLachlan, Judy Collins, and Joni Mitchell. Dolly also announced that she is in the planning stages of a fall tour to be called “Vintage,” to coincide with the release of her new album. Continue checking Dolly Parton On-Line for future updates as they become available.

Dolly’s Blue Valley Songbird co-star Billy Dean mentioned in an interview with Michigan’s Cadillac News that he and Dolly have recorded “Silent Night” for his upcoming Christmas album. No word of a release date for the album as of yet, but Dolly Parton On-Line anticipates that it will be released later this year to coincide with the 2005 holiday season.

Dolly’s double appearances at the CMA Music Festival began on Wednesday at the taping of CMT’s 100 Greatest Duets concert where Dolly and Kenny Rogers performed “Islands In The Stream,” which topped CMT’s countdown. The concert featured performances of the top 12 songs on the countdown performed by such artists as Patty Loveless, Crystal Gayle, Lee Ann Womack, Marty Stuart, Travit Tritt, and others. In addition to the number one spot, Dolly made several other appearances on the countdown; “Please Don’t Stop Loving Me,” “Daddy Was An Old Time Preacherman,” and “Just Someone I Used To Know” with Porter Wagoner made the list, as well as “Rockin Years” with Ricky Van Shelton, and “I Will Always Love You” with Vince Gill. The CMT 100 Greatest Duets Concert will premiere on Saturday, September 17th.

Dolly’s second appearance during CMA Music Fest was appearing with The Grascals at the Thursday Night Concert at the Coliseum. Dolly took the stage to a thunderous standing ovation with “Train, Train” followed by “Orange Blossom Special.” Dolly and The Grascals then performed their duet “Viva Las Vegas” before closing their portion with “Rocky Top.” Look for many photos from the CMT 100 Greatest Duets Concert and Dolly’s Coliseum Appearance in the Dolly Parton On-Line photo gallery soon!