Dolly Parton revealed plan for new music to be released posthumously 6 years before her death
Dolly Parton revealed plan for new music to be released posthumously 6 years before her death
Marina WattsTue, August 25, 2026 at 9:51 PM UTC
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Dolly Parton at SXSW Conference And Festival in Austin in March 2022Credit: Rick Kern/FilmMagicKey Points -
Dolly Parton teased new music being released posthumously years ago.
“And I think as long as time lasts, people will be doing music all kinds of different ways,” Parton said in 2020.
The Queen of Country’s death was announced on Aug. 25. She was 80.
New Dolly Parton music could be coming in the months after her death.
The “Jolene” singer, whose death was announced on Aug. 25 at 80, revealed years ago that she had plans to launch new music posthumously. Parton spoke of this plan in an interview with NPR’s podcast “Dolly Parton’s America” in early 2020.
“For me, as far as what I hope my music will be left behind, I hope that it will always live,” she said at the time. “I would like to think that I’ve left some good pieces of music. And I think as long as time lasts, people will be doing music all kinds of different ways.”
Parton considered herself a “lucky person” because she has “hundreds, hundreds, even thousands of songs and a big part of them haven’t even been recorded.”
“There’s enough stuff to go on forever with my music: to do compilation albums, to do, actually, new and original stuff, and I am purposely trying to put songs down for that very purpose. To have a click track and my vocals, to where any arrangement can be done. So I think ahead.”
Dolly Parton in 1974Credit: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty
She explained that any producer could take her songs once she’s gone and build an arrangement around them.
“As you know, if you have a good click track and a vocal, anything can be done with that. So that will go on forever. I’m one of those people that believe in being prepared. I don’t want to ever leave my stuff in the same shape like Prince or Aretha [Franklin], or anybody that don’t plan ahead with that.”
In the podcast episode, which was the final of the nine-episode series, the “Jolene” singer also shared her beliefs on the afterlife. “You don’t really know, you just hope, and you have faith. That’s what faith is,” Parton said.
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“I think it’s not the end of me. I don’t think it’s the end of any of us. I think we’re recycled and if nothing else we just go back into that great flow of divine energy and hopefully we spread ourselves around in other wonderful ways.”
Before her death, Parton also mentioned a CD in a secret box hidden away at her eponymous Dollywood during an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in 2022. Parton planned to leave behind strict instructions on not releasing it until 2045 — along with some guidance on how to use a CD player.
“I keep wanting them to let me dig it up and put something else in that’s not as good,” she quipped.
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Parton’s death was announced on Tuesday, Aug. 25, after she had been hospitalized for several days. “A rhinestone life that shone bright enough for the world to see, Dolly will forever stand as an inspiration not only through her timeless music and prolific songwriting, but also her wit, warmth, and kindness that made us all feel like family,” a statement from Parton’s rep shared with Entertainment Weekly read.
“Dolly Parton’s legacy is one of love, compassion, and resilience. With a seven-decade career, she inspired multiple generations of artists and fans with her music and an unwavering commitment to making the world a better place. Her songs will continue to resonate with people of all ages, and her philanthropic work will have a lasting impact.”
Dolly Parton at the CMA Awards in Nashville in November 2019Credit: Mark Seliger/ABC via Getty
Her nephew Bryan Seaver recorded a video for her social media page as well to announce her death and reflect on her impact.
Toward the end of the video, Seaver, who served as her head of security for 20 years, revealed how exactly Parton wanted to rest: “in a beautiful bed of plush cotton, because after a life wearing heavy rhinestones, she finally deserves to be comfortable and have some rest.”
on Entertainment Weekly
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
