DOLLY PARTON’S ‘BACKWOODS BARBIE’ ALBUM BLASTS ONTO BILLBOARD TOP 200, COUNTRY ALBUM AND INDIE ALBUM CHARTS

FROM:  TODD BRODGINSKI/MARCEE RONDAN/MITCH SCHNEIDER

DOLLY PARTON’s new album BACKWOODS BARBIE has vaulted onto the Billboard magazine Top 200 Albums, Country Albums and Indie Albums charts, with strong first-week sales.

The album–released February 26 on her new Dolly Records label–entered the Top 200 Albums chart at #17 and at #2 on both the Country Album and Indie Album charts and marks her highest album debut ever on the Billboard pop albums chart, and first entry into the Top 20 since 1993’s Slow Dancing With The Moon.

Thanking her fans, DOLLY said, “Boy, am I a happy girl!  Thanks for the second chance for the backwoods Barbie, you’re a doll! I like being #1 but am excited about all the great numbers on the new CD.  Dolly”

BACKWOODS BARBIE–which features the debut single “Better Get To Livin’” and the new single “Jesus & Gravity–marks the legendary singer, songwriter, musician, actress and entrepreneur’s first release on her own label, which she founded so she could release her own music, on her own terms.  “I put it on my own label because many of the majors really didn’t want me,” says DOLLY, “because of my age, thinking I was ‘over.’  But I felt different about that.  I figured the major labels are pretty much a thing of the past anyway, kind of like they thought I was!”

While fans are eating up the new CD, critics have embraced it as well, praising DOLLY’s nine original tracks and the three choice covers.  A few examples:

“Backwoods Barbie is a return to mainstream country for our gal from the Great Smoky Mountains, and the sound is just as sweet to my ears… The woman is one of our national treasures, so let's cherish her for as long as we've got her…this is one Barbie who has always been for real."

"The poignant vulnerability of her vibrato (still girlish at 62) points to the pain she overcame in order to earn her attitude of joy. Likewise, in her lyrics Dolly doesn't skimp on the love-born distress she must face down in order to go on…It's hard to imagine even the hardest souls not falling for the cheery melody and buoyant delivery of a song like ‘Better Get to Livin'’ – a beamy rebuke to all whiners and complainers…Along with the title song, this one [the album] works to remind us that beneath Dolly's cartoonish facade and impossible smile lies something more hard and nuanced. It's her will to face that down, with mirth and gumption, that ultimately makes Dolly so winning."

“Backwoods neatly plays to her storytelling strengths.”

"Her upcoming album spotlights her superb songwriting…This autobiographical title track [“Backwoods Barbie”] is both wry and poignant."

"…uplifting single…At the heart of the track is Parton's sweetly distinctive vocal, backed by the angelic voices of acclaimed gospel songbirds Sonya and Becky Isaacs. The well-crafted lyric finds Parton encouraging others to live life to the fullest. Full of Parton's signature wit, wisdom and personality…"

"…Parton is on her A-game, whether it's the contemporary country pop of ‘Jesus & Gravity’ – a melodic tale of uplift that fits neatly into the current Nashville landscape of anthemic optimism – or the ‘O Brother’-style noir of ‘Only Dreamin',’ a haunting blend of tin-whistle, fiddles, and ethereal choirs. ‘The Lonesomes’ is classic cocktail country with brushed drums and saloon piano…the title track holds the key with its sweet, funny, and heart-tugging plea to look past her shiny cover to the complicated story on the pages beneath."
–Sarah Rodman, BOSTON GLOBE, March 2, 2008

“This country diva proves she still got it.”

"…Dolly Parton has a blast with the Fine Young Cannibals hit ['Drives Me Crazy'] reworked brilliantly with banjo, fiddle and mandolin. Her self-penned tunes hold their own, too, especially the twangy soul-searcher from which the album takes its name."

"…prime Parton…The title song is cut from the same cloth as her classic 'Coat of Many Colors' in both theme and its Smoky Mountains sound.  Like 'Coat,' Backwoods Barbie is about Parton's background growing up ‘poor and ragged.' The other new classic here is 'Cologne,' a heartbreaker taken from the other woman's point of view."

"…she focuses on autobiographical lyrics set to upbeat country music that blends old-school acoustics with new-school rhythms."

"Fans will be happy to know that nine of the 12 tracks here are Parton originals, and most of them can stand proudly next to her classic work…."

"Dolly Parton returns to a more mainstream country sound after several acclaimed bluegrass outings. But what's so cool is she managed to weave some of that genuine front-porch sensibility, specifically through liberal use of banjo, mandolin and fiddle, to create a transitional bridge from one phase to the other…Three of the songs – the positive, sprightly ‘Better Get to Livin',’ the tender, autobiographical title track, and the heartbreaking ballad ‘Cologne’–are new masterpieces for the country legend. And whether you're religious or not, you'd connect to the uplifting message in ‘Jesus & Gravity’…As usual, Ms. Parton sings it all with such down-home conviction. Her voice remains a national wonder."

“Parton is the iron butterfly of country music: most honored, most prolific (she’s published more than 3,000 songs) and easily the most business savvy. Parton’s voice is still strong and supple; even in sprawling arenas and cow palaces, the notes fall soft as mountain rain. “
–Gerri Hirshey, LADIES’ HOME JOURNAL, March 2008

“Backwoods Barbie is a wonderful album filled with passion, honesty, joy, pain and of course, PURE country!! Make sure to check out this album and buy at least FIVE copies for your family and friends. Dolly Parton is always finding new ways to reinvent herself and she always succeeds!! This album is bound to be a hit and a favorite for many years to come!”

For the latest news and tour dates, check out www.dollypartonmusic.net.