Dolly Parton’s New Rock Album Inspired By Her Rock 'n' Roll Loving Husband

There’s no denying that love has been the driving force behind Dolly Parton’s latest musical journey. The legendary "Jolene" singer has revealed that her husband of over 50 years, Carl Thomas Dean, played a pivotal role in shaping her new album, Rockstar. Surprisingly, Carl is "a real rock 'n' roll freak," and his passion for the genre inspired Dolly to dive into the world of rock music like never before.

Dolly’s Rock 'n' Roll Adventure

Set to release on November 17, this album is a testament to Dolly’s versatility as an artist. The 77-year-old icon has put her own spin on some of the most iconic rock songs of all time. But that’s not all—she’s also collaborated with a dream team of legendary musicians to bring her vision to life. Stars like Ringo Starr, Paul McCartney, Linda Perry, Ann Wilson, and Nikki Sixx have lent their talents to the project, making it an unforgettable musical experience.

Dolly shared her thoughts on the process with The Guardian, explaining that she didn’t want to mess with the original magic of these rock classics. "I tried really hard to sing them well and stay as true as I could to the form, but with my own voice," she said. It’s clear that Dolly’s goal was to honor the songs while adding her own unique flair.

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A Longtime Dream

This wasn’t the first time Dolly has spoken about how her husband has influenced her music. In fact, she’s been talking about this project for a while now. Back in November 2022, during an interview with E! News ahead of her induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Dolly shared her excitement about the album. "I’m going to do a lot of his favorite songs," she said. "He loves Mick Jagger, he loves 'Satisfaction'—those kind of songs. I’m hoping to have Elton John. I’m hoping to have just a lot of the big classic artists singing some of the classic songs."

Carl, who is 81 years old, has been nothing short of proud of Dolly’s accomplishments. Even though he’s kept a low profile throughout their decades-long relationship, his love and support have always been evident. Dolly credits him for pushing her to explore new musical horizons.

A Rock Album for the Ages

Dolly explained her decision to finally record a rock album during an interview with Pollstar in October 2022. "When I got nominated for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, I thought, 'Well, no better time to do it,'" she said. "I had always wanted to do it. My husband is a big hard rock 'n' roll fan, and for years I thought, 'One of these days I’d like to do an album mainly just for him, just to kind of do it.'" It’s clear that this album is as much a tribute to Carl’s love for rock music as it is a celebration of Dolly’s incredible career.

Even though Dolly and Carl rarely appear in public together since their marriage in 1966, their bond remains as strong as ever. "She adores and is committed to Carl. They’re a team and Dolly will always be there for him," an insider told Closer in July 2021. "Dolly is steadfast in her devotion and love for him. Dolly, like Carl, has always said that they’re in it for the long haul."