Hey there, friends! Dolly Parton, the queen of country music and one of the most beloved figures in entertainment, celebrated her 78th birthday on Friday, January 19, with a bang. And no, I don’t just mean fireworks—though I’m sure there were some of those too. Dolly kicked things off with an exciting announcement about her career, proving that she’s still as vibrant and driven as ever.
Dolly Gives Fans a Birthday Gift: New Music!
Now, here’s something you don’t see every day: a birthday girl giving presents to everyone else instead of receiving them. That’s exactly what Dolly did when she took to Instagram to share some big news with her fans. “Hey fans and friends, It’s my birthday so I’m going to give you a present!” she wrote. “I’m releasing four never-released songs for my birthday to go with the Rockstar album, and a few others that you may have heard before but weren’t on the album.”
That’s right—four brand-new tracks, plus some fan favorites that didn’t make it onto the original release. Talk about a gift that keeps on giving! Dolly went on to say, “I hope you enjoy them, and I hope you all have a happy birthday for me! LOL.” Can we just take a moment to appreciate how down-to-earth and relatable this legendary artist remains, even after all these years?
Read also:Julia Roberts Supports George Clooneys Broadway Debut With Family In Tow
A Tribute Night Fit for a Legend
In honor of Dolly’s special day, the Grand Ole Opry organized a tribute night at the iconic Ryman Auditorium. This wasn’t just any concert—it was a celebration of Dolly’s incredible legacy, featuring performances by some of today’s biggest country stars. Lauren Alaina, Terri Clark, Elle King, and more took the stage to cover Dolly’s biggest hits, paying homage to the woman who has inspired countless musicians over the decades.
But the love didn’t stop there. All across the United States, Dolly’s loyal fans found creative ways to celebrate their idol. One particularly heartwarming tribute came from the residents of Waltonwood Senior Living home in Rochester Hills, Michigan. These amazing seniors threw a “Waltonwood to Dollywood” party, complete with costumes, a pony, and a book drive to benefit Dolly’s Imagination Library foundation. For those who don’t know, this program mails free books to children around the world, promoting literacy and education. What a wonderful way to honor such a generous and compassionate person!
Rockin’ the Charts with Rockstar
Dolly’s Rockstar album, which she released in November 2023, continues to make waves in the music industry. Not only did it debut at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Album Sales chart, but it also reached No. 3 on the all-genre Billboard 200 chart. In a statement, Dolly expressed her gratitude, saying, “Wow, this is a big thrill! I owe a thank you to the fans who have always been there for me. Their support made this achievement possible.”
She also gave a shout-out to her talented team, including producer Kent Wells and the incredible artists, musicians, and engineers who worked on the project. “I’d also like to thank my producer Kent Wells, all the wonderful artists, musicians and engineers who brought their talents to this project,” she added. It’s clear that Dolly values collaboration and recognizes the contributions of everyone involved in her success.
Dolly Shines at the Salvation Army Halftime Show
After the release of Rockstar, Dolly delivered an unforgettable performance at the Salvation Army’s 27th annual Red Kettle Kickoff Halftime Show at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. And let me tell you, she didn’t hold back! Dolly wore a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader uniform during the Thanksgiving Day performance, showing her support for the Dallas Cowboys as they faced off against the Washington Commanders.
During the show, the country music icon showcased her rocker side with powerful renditions of “We Are the Champions” and “We Will Rock You.” While some critics took to social media to question her outfit choice, Dolly’s sister Stella Parton came to her defense. “I personally thought my big sister, Dolly, was cute as hell in her Dallas Cowboys cheerleading costume at the halftime show on Thanksgiving,” Stella, 74, wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. “To those of you being so critical of a 77-year-old kicking up her heels, I say f–k yourself. Shame on you, not her.”
Read also:Hugh Jackman And Sutton Foster Aim For A Dream Blended Family
