Dolly Parton Featured on Never-Before-Heard Gospel Track
By Movieguide® Staff
Dolly Parton is not shy about her love for gospel music and reliance on her faith.
The Movieguide® Grace Prize® Winner recently leant her vocals on a bluegrass rendition of the classic song of faith, “In the Sweet By and By.”
The song also features the voices of Larry Cordle, Carl Jackson, Jerry Salley, and Bradley Walker from their upcoming Country Faith Bluegrass album.
“I am so honored to be a part of such a beautiful album with all of these wonderful artists. Bluegrass has always been one of my very favorite styles of music. I sing it often,” Parton wrote in a post on Instagram. “I also love the gospel part of bluegrass music and ‘In the Sweet By and By’ was always one of my favorite songs. My parents loved that song so that was the one I wanted to be a part of this album. So I hope everybody, as my mother would say, get your blessing out of it.”
The album’s producer, Jerry Salley, said that Parton instantly came to mind as someone he wanted to feature on the album.
“When Deborah Evans Price and I first sat down to put together a ‘wish list’ of the artists we would love to have on the new Country Faith Bluegrass album, Dolly was at the very top!” Salley told PEOPLE. “So, I reached out to my dear friend, Tom Rutledge, at Dolly’s office to see if she might consider recording a new track for the project. When she found out that many of her friends would be included on the album, she kindly agreed.”
Salley revealed that it was a dream come true after Parton sent in a recording of “In the Sweet By and By.”
“As I was producing the project in 2020 (during the pandemic), Dolly preferred not to venture out to the studio but graciously offered to send me a never-before-released vocal of her singing the gospel standard, ‘In The Sweet By and By,'” Salley explained. “With one guitar accompanying the vocal, and told me I could take it and do whatever I wanted to with it as long as it met her final approval, of course.”
“I took the original guitar off the track and literally arranged and built a full bluegrass band around her beautiful vocal, double-timing the tempo after the first chorus, and then adding myself, along with friends Carl Jackson, Larry Cordle and Bradley Walker to sing the harmony vocals as a bluegrass quartet reminiscent of an acoustic Jordanaires,” he added, noting that the award-winning artist “loved the recording.”
“I will forever be grateful to Dolly for trusting me and allowing me to work with her on this project,” he continued.
Parton’s 2001 album, Little Sparrow, also featured a rendition of the classic gospel song.
Most recently, Parton announced a brand new album and her first-ever novel. Movieguide® reported:
After more than 60 years on the main stage, there aren’t many accomplishments that Dolly Parton hasn’t pursued and achieved. However, the Grammy award-winning country icon and actress announced a new book is in the works.
Parton, 75, revealed that she is joining bestselling writer James Patterson to co-author a new book, “Run, Rose, Run.”
Parton also announced the release of a new album inspired by the book.
“I cannot be more excited about the release of my very first novel #RunRoseRun with @jamespattersonbooks. I also have a new CD to go along with the book, based on its characters and situations,” Parton wrote on Twitter, adding: “I hope you enjoy the book and the songs as much as we’ve enjoyed putting it together.”
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Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
