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Dolly Parton has been busy during quarantine, y’all.
The country music legend is ready to spread some serious holiday cheer with a few new projects, including her first holiday album in 30 years. Plus, Dolly has a book coming out this week!
Are you ready for a Holly Dolly Christmas?
First up: Dolly has been working hard on a brand new Christmas movie. Titled Dolly Parton’s Christmas on the Square, it follows a wealthy woman returning to her small hometown after her father’s death just ahead of Christmas. She wants to force out residents so she can sell the land to a developer, but of course has a change of heart in the end.
The film stars Dolly herself, along with Christine Baranski, Jennifer Lewis, and Treat Williams. It was directed and choreographed by three-time Emmy and Golden Globe winner Debbie Allen. It’s set to debut November 22 on Netflix.
Dolly said that at its core, the film demonstrates the importance of forgiving others — something she thinks is especially important during these trying times.
“There’s a lot to be said about forgiveness; it cleans you for other good stuff to come in,” the 74-year-old star told The Christian Post. “If you go around with a bunch of hate and anger and bottled up stuff in you, you can’t blossom as a person. You’re not doing yourself any favors or anyone else. It’s just so much better to forgive.”
She also added, “I really think that that’s so important to cleanse your own heart and your own soul; to be able to forgive and ask forgiveness. You never should be too proud to ask for forgiveness.”
The movie also features 14 original songs by Dolly, including the song “Christmas on the Square” from her new album, A Holly Dolly Christmas.
This new album is actually Dolly’s first holiday album in 30 years.
“I’ve been wanting to do another Christmas album for a long time, and I’ve had the time to do it, since we had kind of all holed up at home,” Dolly said. “So I started writing some of these original songs, and I gathered up some more of the old classics. And grabbed a bunch of friends, and we just kind of went for it.”
“Grabbed a bunch of friends,” indeed! Among the 12 tracks, you’ll find six duets. Dolly sings with Miley Cyrus on “Christmas Is,” Michael Bublé joins her on “Cuddle Up, Cozy Down Christmas,” and even Jimmy Fallon gets in on the fun, rocking out on “All I Want For Christmas Is You.”
Although A Holly Dolly Christmas is the legend’s first holiday album in a few decades, it’s her forty-seventh solo studio album. It was released on October 2, so it’s already out there to help you get in the holiday spirit.
Dolly is also teaming up with CBS for a TV special by the same name. A Holly Dolly Christmas will air on December 6, featuring an “intimate, candlelit” performance from the superstar. She’ll be performing holiday classics, hymns, and some songs off her new album, along with a star-studded cast of guests.
“When Dolly Parton calls and tells you she wants to do a Christmas show, you don’t hesitate,” said Jack Sussman, the Executive Vice President of Specials, Music & Live Events at CBS.
If you thought Dolly was done with new projects for the season, I’ve got one more for you. The country legend also has a book coming out this week.
Dolly Parton, Songteller: My Life in Lyrics is set to release on November 17, and tells the stories behind lyrics of Dolly’s expansive library of songs. If You’ve ever wondered how Dolly wrote infamous hits, like “I Will Always Love You” and “Jolene,” this is the book for you.
