Dolly Parton News

Dolly released an official statement today on her upcoming Joyful Noise movie with Queen Latifah, revealing that she will be writing several songs to be included in the film. “I’m writing a few songs for the movie…I’m so happy to be doing a movie about music–especially happy because it’s Gospel music which I grew up singing and loving. I think we need something uplifting in this day in time! So yep, happy, happy, happy–that’s me.” On getting to work with Queen Latifah, Dolly said, “I’m really happy to be doing a movie with Queen Latifah. I really like her and have often thought we would be fun together. Even though we play rivals in the movie, I’m sure we’ll have our fun behind the scenes.”

In related movie news, the Knoxville News Sentinel reported over the weekend that Joyful Noise will be filmed in Atlanta. Ace Showbiz also reported that the movie is tentatively scheduled to be released in 2012.

Dolly will be starring with Queen Latifah in a new gospel-choir feature film titled “Joyful Noise” from Warner Brothers-based Alcon Entertainment. Written and directed by Todd Graff, the “story centers on an unlikely partnership between two strong-minded women who are forced to work together to save a small town gospel choir after budget cuts threaten to shut them down.” Dolly plays the widow of the choir’s director whose untimely death forces her to partner with Latifah’s character to get the choir ready for a national competition in hopes of saving the choir program. Production on “Joyful Noise” will begin in January. No other details have been released at this time. Read the full article from Variety.

Dolly sparkled and shined last night with David Letterman as she dished about her Dollywood themepark’s 25th anniversary and upcoming Hallmark special on July 3rd. Dolly also discussed her goddaughter Miley Cyrus, her friendship with Kenny Rogers and Billy Ray Cyrus, and the first time she ever met Johnny Cash, saying, “Johnny Cash was my first encounter with what I thought sex appeal was, feeling really drawn to someone. I mean, I saw him onstage and I just felt things that I’d never felt before.” When Dave mentioned Dolly also had the same quality, Dolly joked back, “Am I turning you on?” much to the laughter of the audience. Later in the show, Dolly performed “9 To 5″. Watch the full interview and Dolly’s performance in the players below:

Dolly has added even more television appearances to her already busy media blitz this week in New York to promote her upcoming Hallmark special, Dolly Celebrates 25 Years Of Dollywood. First Dolly will appear on Fox & Friends tomorrow morning which airs at 6 AM on Fox News, then she moves onto the Good Day New York morning news show that airs locally in New York on FOX5 at 7 AM and then she drops in at Live With Regis And Kelly at 9 AM on ABC.

Dolly also appeared on The Gayle King Show today where she discussed her career, making her life story into a musical, her upcoming Hallmark special, and their love of high heels with host and Oprah-pal Gayle King. Listen to the entire interview on the show’s website.

In related news, The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette did a great interview with Dolly which can be read on their website. Fans can even listen to an 18-minute audio podcast of the entire interview here.

On a side note, Dolly’s upcoming appearance on Bert The Conqueror on the Travel Channel has been moved to July 7th and 10 PM EST.

Dolly appeared on this morning’s Good Morning America where she discussed the 25th anniversary of her Dollywood themepark, took questions from fans in the audience, and performed several songs including “Celebrate The Dreamer In You”, “Jolene” and a brief acapella snippet of “9 To 5″. Fans can watch Dolly’s appearance from the show in the players below:

On the heels of last year’s record-breaking $75,000 winning bid for her Backwoods Barbie-Q, entertainment legend Dolly Parton is offering a Backwoods Barbie-Q II for the Dr. Robert F. Thomas Foundation’s annual Evening of Elegance fundraiser on Aug. 14.

“I never in my wildest dreams imagined anybody paying $75,000 to eat supper with me,” Parton said. “Due to the generosity of some real fine folks, we raised a lot of money for the Dr. Robert F. Thomas Foundation, which is very near and dear to my heart. So I’m offering up my Backwoods Barbie-Q II this year with hopes that we can raise a lot more money to help improve healthcare in Sevier County.”

For the Backwoods Barbie-Q II live auction item, the winning bidder and a guest will arrive at 5 p.m. at Parton’s Tennessee Mountain Home, her Sevierville home which was immortalized in the song of the same title. That evening, the winner can invite an additional 10 guests for a private tour of Parton’s residence followed by a barbeque on the grounds with bluegrass entertainment, all hosted by Parton. The winner and a guest will spend the night in Parton’s guest cottage, located next door to the Tennessee Mountain Home. At 9 a.m. the following morning, Parton will prepare and serve a country-style breakfast to the winner and a guest.

It is only the second time in history that Parton has offered such access to her private residence.

“Dolly absolutely wowed last year’s winning bidders with a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience at her Tennessee Mountain Home,” said Deborah Dowling, Executive Director of The Dr. Robert F. Thomas Foundation. “Dolly exceeded everyone’s expectation, as she always does, so we know going into this year’s auction that the Backwoods Barbie-Q II is a rare and much anticipated event that will be highly sought after at our Evening of Elegance event.”

Tabitha Hall and Sabrina Taylor, last year’s winning bidders, agree that the Backwoods Barbie-Q was truly a once-in-a-lifetime event. “It was beyond incredible,” Hall said. “To see Dolly’s Tennessee Mountain Home through her eyes was beyond my expectations.” Taylor added, “We pushed our plates back, sat on the lawn and swapped stories with one of the best storytellers in the world. The Backwoods Barbie-Q was a moment in time that we’ll never forget!”

Evening of Elegance takes place at the Mills Auditorium in Gatlinburg at 6 p.m. on Aug. 14, 2010.

Parton, one of the many babies delivered by Dr. Thomas, is the foundation’s honorary chairperson.

Established in 1983, the not-for-profit Dr. Robert F. Thomas Foundation continues the legacy of the man who came to Sevier County in 1926 to serve in the dual role of minister and family physician.

The foundation’s mission is to help expand the range and quality of health care services available in Sevier County, including a $10 million capital campaign to fund the construction of the new LeConte Medical Center which opened in February.

Tickets for the Evening of Elegance event are $200 per person and may be purchased by contacting Amy Kingery, Development Specialist, at (865) 446-9628.

Dolly will be making a major round of media appearances all next week to promote her upcoming Hallmark Channel special, Dolly Celebrates 25 Years Of Dollywood. On Tuesday, June 29th, Dolly will appear on Good Morning America on ABC at 7 AM EST, Access Hollywood (syndicated so check local listings), and The Late Show With David Letterman on CBS at 11:35 PM EST. Then on Wednesday, Dolly will stop by Live With Regis And Kelly which airs at 9 AM EST on ABC. Other upcoming television appearances include a segment on Bert The Conqueror that Dolly recently taped at Dollywood which airs July 9th at 10 PM on the Travel Channel. Then watch the Today show on July 14th at 7 AM on NBC for some segments on Dollywood’s 25th anniversary.

Dolly Celebrates 25 Years Of Dollywood premieres Saturday, July 3rd, at 8 PM on the Hallmark Channel and features appearances from Billy Ray Cyrus, Miley Cyrus, and Kenny Rogers. Catch a preview of the special here:

Dolly announced today at a live press conference that over $250,000 has been raised from her recent fundraising efforts to help Nashville flood victims. Dolly and Nashville Mayor Karl Dean presented the check to Nashville’s United Way at noon today and said the funds would go toward helping the flood victims and rebuilding areas that were devastated by the historic flood. Read the full press release here:

PIGEON FORGE, Tenn.—Dolly Parton will present $250,000 on June 2, 2010, in Nashville to Mayor Karl Dean and United Way representatives, with the money specifically designated by Parton to aid Nashville-area flood victims who are restoring and rebuilding in the flood’s aftermath.

After much consideration, Parton decided to donate the funds raised during her Dolly Helps Nashville event on May 22 and 23 to the United Way’s Restore the Dream Fund. The donation includes net admission proceeds from Parton’s Dollywood and Dixie Stampede properties in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., as well as fan contributions to DollyParton.com.

“My husband took me to see the damage done by the flooding, and I was absolutely unprepared for what I saw,” Parton said. “I knew right then and there that something had to be done to get those families who’d lost everything back in their homes. And that’s what the mayor, the other Karl Dean, and the United Way have so graciously agreed to help me do. Get this money to those folks who are hurting the most.”

The United Way’s Restore the Dream Fund was established to assist nonprofit organizations throughout Middle Tennessee recover and resume operations in the event of a natural or man-made disaster. The fund is managed and administered by United Way of Metropolitan Nashville. The Restore the Dream Fund will specifically work with Family Resource Centers to meet the needs of those hardest hit. In addition, none of Parton’s contribution will be used to cover the agency’s administrative fees.

Parton also challenged area East Tennessee businesses to join the effort which was met by S.D. Professionals, the company that designed DollyParton.com and facilitated online donations.

“I know that it’s going to take a lot of effort and hard work and money to reverse the damage,” Parton added. “I know, too, that folks in Nashville have been great supporters of Dollywood and Dixie Stampede, so I wanted to let them know that we understand that they are suffering, and we’re here to help like good neighbors should. As my Dollywood theme park marks its 25th anniversary this season, we’re celebrating the dreamer in everybody. I think it’s really fitting that we can work through the Restore the Dream Fund, and, with this contribution, help bring dreams and hopes and peace of mind to my fellow Nashvillians.”