Dolly Parton has some exciting news! The 70-year-old singer plans to not only put out a new album, but to also go on her biggest North American tour in more than 25 years.
Parton will release the double-disc album "Pure & Simple with Dolly Parton's Biggest Hits" sometime later in the year and will then hit the road to perform in more than 60 cities this summer. The shows will feature some of her classic hits, which have not been performed live in years, as well as some brand new songs from the forthcoming album.
"I don't know how pure I am, but I know I'm pretty simple," Parton said after making the official announcement during a live press conference in Nashville. The new album will feature her most memorable songs as well as 14 new tracks.
"We're so excited to get out there and see the fans again," she also wrote on her website. "I'm really looking forward to singing songs the fans have not heard in a while, as well as the hits, while debuting a few new ones off Pure & Simple."
The iconic singer also announced that her Tennessee-based theme park, Dollywood, will be getting a new roller coaster called Lighting Bolt this spring. The new ride will reach over 70 mph, making it the fastest wooden coaster out there.
NBC is also in the process of developing a new series of TV movies inspired by Parton's life, songs and stories. Parton will serve as a producer for the two-hour movies and will also be making several appearances.
"I don't know anyone who doesn't love Dolly Parton, and the idea of developing television movies called 'Coat of Many Colors' inspired by her incredible life and the stories she has sung about for decades is exciting to all of us at NBC," Entertainment chairman Bob Greenblatt said. "I hope we will create some uplifting movies that the entire family can enjoy together, a genre of programming that still seems largely untapped on television."
"We all feel so lucky to be in business with Dolly," NBC Entertainment President Jennifer Salke added. "We're so excited about working with her to infuse these movies with her incredible work ethic and that genuine hopefulness and positive outlook that has been her trademark for years. And you can bet there will be a lot of her music in them too."
Parton released her first single "Puppy Love" in 1959 and has since gone on to win 10 Grammys out of her 46 nominations, 10 Country Music Association Awards and seven Academy of Country Music Awards. She's tied with Beyoncé as the most Grammy-nominated woman of all time. The country legend also holds the record for the most Top 10 albums on the country charts. Of those 41 albums, 25 of them have gone gold, platinum or multi-platinum.
The tour is set to take place from June to December. More tour announcements and album details are to follow.
