Dolly Parton is ready to prove that her way with words extends beyond songs. In early 2022, she’ll release her first novel, Run, Rose, Run.
The country music megastar has teamed up with bestselling mystery author James Patterson to put together a Nashville-based thriller about a young singer-songwriter with a dark secret. “She’s a star on the rise, singing about the hard life behind her,” explains a description on publisher Little, Brown and Company’s website.
“Nashville is where she’s come to claim her destiny,” the description adds. “It’s also where the darkness she’s fled might find her. And destroy her.”
Says Parton said in a statement to People, “I cannot be more excited about the release of my very first novel.” Adds Patterson, “It’s been an honor — and a hell of a lot of fun — to work with the inimitable Dolly Parton, whom I’ve long admired for her music, her storytelling, and her enormous generosity.”
Little, Brown and Company
Though Parton has a habit of venturing beyond music, she never leaves those roots far behind — and she won’t with Run, Rose, Run, either. In addition to the book’s music-focused plot, it will arrive in tandem with an album of 12 original songs, “based on the characters and situations in the book,” by Parton.
“The mind-blowing thing about this project is that reading the novel is enhanced by listening to the album and vice versa,” says Patterson. “It’s a really unique experience that I know readers (and listeners) will love.”
Both the Run, Rose, Run book and album are set for release on March 7, 2022.
See Dolly Parton’s Life and Career in Pictures:
Dolly Parton, 1965
Michael Ochs Archives, Getty Images
Dolly Parton, 1965
Just one year before this photo was taken, Dolly Parton had moved to Nashville to pursue her dreams at the age of 18. It was the day after her graduation. The next year (1965) she signed with Monument Records as a pop artist. Luckily, she eventually found her home in country music.
Dolly Parton, 1967
Michael Ochs Archives, Getty Images
Dolly Parton, 1967
Dolly Parton’s name began to sizzle in 1967 with the help of Porter Wagoner. She was a weekly performer on his TV show. This same year, Parton released “Dumb Blonde,” her first country single. The song — from her album Hello, I’m Dolly, which was her only album on Monument — rose to No. 24 on the charts. Parton soon signed with Wagoner’s label, RCA.
Dolly Parton, 1968
Michael Ochs Archives, Getty Images
Dolly Parton, 1968
Dolly Parton started 1968 off with a bang! The singer got a country Top 10 hit in “The Last Thing on My Mind” with Porter Wagoner. The pair were named Vocal Group of the Year by the CMA. This same year Parton released her first solo single for RCA Victor, which climbed into the Top 20.
Dolly Parton, 1969
RCA Records
Dolly Parton, 1969
1969 was a big year for Dolly Parton. She put out two records, including, “The Good Old Days (When Times Were Bad).” She was also inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in 1969.
Dolly Parton, 1971
RCA Records
Dolly Parton, 1971
Dolly Parton received her first-ever No. 1 single in 1971 with “Joshua.” This was the beginning of her streak of hits as a solo artist. “Coat of Many Colors” also came out this year.
Dolly Parton, 1973
RCA Records
Dolly Parton, 1973
October of 1973 changed everything for Parton. She released “Jolene,” which is still one of her biggest hits today. The song has been covered by a wide range of other artists, including the White Stripes, Olivia Newton-John, Ellie Goulding, Miley Cyrus and many, many more.
Dolly Parton, 1974
Michael Ochs Archives, Getty Images
Dolly Parton, 1974
Dolly Parton embarked on a new journey in 1974 when she left Wagoner’s group. They performed their last show together in April and she left his TV show not long after. The two were still connected, though, as he’d continue producing her albums.
Dolly Parton, 1976
Vincent McEvoy, Getty Images
Dolly Parton, 1976
Dolly Parton started a new venture in 1976 with her own TV variety show. Dolly! had high ratings but was only on the air for a season. This year she released All I Can Do and started working behind the scenes of making her music.
Dolly Parton, 1977
Keystone, Getty Images
Dolly Parton, 1977
In 1977, Dolly Parton made the move from solely singing country music to incorporating more pop in her sound. This year, “Here You Come Again” was a hit on both charts. This was Parton’s first song to sell a million!
Dolly Parton, 1978
Playboy
Dolly Parton, 1978
In case you forgot how stunning Dolly Parton is, this 1978 Playboy cover should remind you. But in 1978, she also won a Grammy Award and took home Entertainer of the Year at the CMA Awards. It was a big, sexy year for the blonde bombshell.
Dolly Parton, 1979
RCA Records
Dolly Parton, 1979
Parton has been nominated for, and received, a TON of awards over the years. In 1979 she received an unusual one. She was nominated for an Emmy Award for an appearance on a Cher special. This year, she also released her album Great Balls of Fire.
Dolly Parton, 1980
IPC Films / Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation
Dolly Parton, 1980
Dolly Parton stretched her acting bone in 1980 with the film 9 to 5. The song of the same name was also a big hit in 1980. It was No. 1 on the country charts and was another crossover for the talented singer.
Dolly Parton, 1982
Universal Pictures
Dolly Parton, 1982
It wasn’t long before the acting bug hit Dolly Parton again! She showed up on the big screen for the second time in 1982 with The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. She also recorded a second version of the song “I Will Always Love You” for the film.
Dolly Parton, 1983
Peter Still, Getty Images
Dolly Parton, 1983
“Islands in the Stream” remains a fan favorite today. The duet with Kenny Rogers came out in the summer of ’83 and stayed at No. 1 for two weeks. Parton also got to lend her to voice to an episode of the beloved animated series, Alvin and the Chipmunks.
Dolly Parton, 1984
Ron Galella, Getty Images
Dolly Parton, 1984
Dolly had a very busy year in 1984, touring with Kenny Rogers as part of the Real Love Tour. She also landed her first film role in two years. Parton starred in Rhinestone alongside Sylvester Stallone. This was also the year she earned her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame!
Dolly Parton, 1986
Paul Natkin, Getty Images
Dolly Parton, 1986
Dolly Parton ventured out in another way in 1986. She opened her theme park, Dollywood, in Tennessee. She continued to tour before being inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. She was even named as one of Ms. Magazine’s Women of the Year.
Dolly Parton, 1987
Patrick Riviere, Getty Images
Dolly Parton, 1987
1987 was the year Dolly Parton made her return to country music (although she was never too far). This year she released Trio an album with Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris. The album was a success, winning two Grammy Awards. Parton also tried her hand at a variety TV show called Dolly, but it only lasted a season.
Dolly Parton, 1989
Columbia Nashville
Dolly Parton, 1989
1989 meant releasing a 29th studio album for Dolly Parton. White Limozeen was released on her new record label, Columbia Nashville. The album had two No. 1 hits for the singer. She also returned to acting with the hit Steel Magnolias, a Southern favorite.
Dolly Parton, 1991
Columbia Nashville / Tristar
Dolly Parton, 1991
Eagle When She Flies was Dolly Parton’s studio album that dropped in 1991. She had a number of collaborations on the record, which became a No. 1 album. She went out on tour to support this successful set of songs.
Dolly Parton, 1993
Columbia Nashville
Dolly Parton, 1993
On Feb. 23 in 1993, Parton released Slow Dancing with the Moon, her 31st studio album. She also released another collaboration album with Loretta Lynn and Tammy Wynette. But the most fun thing she may have done in 1993 was appear on the sitcom The Beverly Hillbillies for one episode.
Dolly Parton, 1995
David Keeler, Getty Images
Dolly Parton, 1995
In 1995, Parton and Vince Gill collaborated on a recording of “I Will Always Love You.” The version was epic and ended up earning the pair a CMA Award for Vocal Event of the Year.
Dolly Parton, 1998
NBC, Getty Images
Dolly Parton, 1998
Dolly Parton was on a roll in 1998. The blonde’s success had earned her a lot of money to date — she was even named the wealthiest woman in country by Nashville Business. This year she released her album Hungry Again, which was made up of all her own compositions.
Dolly Parton, 1999
Diane Freed, Getty Images
Dolly Parton, 1999
Just before the turn of the century, Dolly Parton got a huge (but deserved) honor. She was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame! This year she also released the first of her bluegrass albums.
Dolly Parton, 2001
Scott Gries, Getty Images
Dolly Parton, 2001
The honors just kept coming for Dolly Parton in 2001. The singer was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame this year. Parton also released Little Sparrow, on which she Collective Soul’s song “Shine.”
Dolly Parton, 2002
Robert Mora, Getty Images
Dolly Parton, 2002
In 2002, it had been roughly 10 years since Dolly Parton had toured. This was the year that streak ended. She set out on her Halos and Horns Tour in support of her album of the same name, which included a bluegrass cover of Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven.”
Dolly Parton, 2003
Scott Gries, Getty Images
Dolly Parton, 2003
By 2003, it was clear Dolly Parton was a living legend. BMI acknowledged this in November with the BMI Icon Award. This same year, talented women like Melissa Etheridge, Alison Krauss, Shania Twain, Norah Jones and more got together and honored Parton with Just Because I’m a Woman: Songs of Dolly Parton.
Dolly Parton, 2005
Scott Gries, Getty Images
Dolly Parton, 2005
Parton returned to the top of the charts in 2005 with Brad Paisley’s song “When I Get Where I’m Going.” This year, she also got the National Medal of Arts from the U.S. government. At the time, George W. Bush was in office and presented Parton with her award. Here she is seen performing with Elton John at the 39th Annual CMA Awards.
Dolly Parton, 2006
Viking Studio
Dolly Parton, 2006
Dolly Parton shared another talent with her fans in 2006. She released Dolly’s Dixie Fixin’s: Love, Laughter and Lots of Good Food, a southern-style cookbook. This year she was also inducted in the Americana Highway Hall of Fame and appeared on Hannah Montana as Aunt Dolly!
Dolly Parton, 2007
Christopher Furlong, Getty Images
Dolly Parton, 2007
Dolly Parton’s own record label was going strong in 2007 with the release of “Better Get to Livin’.” The single was her first from her label. The Grammy Hall of Fame inducted Parton’s song “I Will Always Love You,” which was recorded in 1974.
Dolly Parton, 2008
Matt Carr, Getty Images
Dolly Parton, 2008
In 2008, Dolly Parton wrote the score for 9 to 5: The Musical. The musical based on her 1980 film, it opened on Broadway in April. This year she released the album Backwoods Barbie and toured for the album as well. This same year, she also appeared on American Idol.
Dolly Parton, 2010
Rick Diamond, Getty Images
Dolly Parton, 2010
The theme park industry recognized Dolly Parton in 2010 with a big award. She earned their highest honor, the Liseberg Applause Award, for Dollywood. This was the same year Dolly was inducted into the Country Gospel Music Hall of Fame.
Dolly Parton, 2011
Dimitrios Kambouris, Getty Images
Dolly Parton, 2011
2011 was a jam-packed year for Dolly Parton, who released Better Day and launched a tour in support of the record. Personally, she celebrated her 45th wedding anniversary to Carl Thomas Dean. She was recognized by the South Carolina General Assembly this year when they declared June 3 as Dolly Parton Day.
Dolly Parton, 2013
YouTube
Dolly Parton, 2013
Dolly Parton teamed up with her good friend Kenny Rogers once again in 2013. They reunited for “You Can’t Make Old Friends,” from the album of the same name. The collaboration snagged them a nod at the Grammy Awards for Best Country Group/Duo Performance.
Dolly Parton, 2014
Rick Diamond, Getty Images
Dolly Parton, 2014
2014 was the year Dolly Parton released Blue Smoke, her 42nd studio album. She traveled the world performing the songs from that record for her Blue Smoke World Tour, even playing Glastonbury for the first time. The Grammy Hall of Fame also recognized Parton for her 1974 recording of “Jolene.”
Dolly Parton, 2015
Matt Winkelmeyer, Getty Images
Dolly Parton, 2015
Dolly got the TV treatment in 2015! Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors, the movie based off Parton’s song, aired in Dec. and saw rave reviews.
