There were four reasons for going to the Moody Center in downtown Austin last night: (1) getting your first NFT (2) watching England’s new heartthrob sensation perform (3) seeing the world’s biggest selling novelist James Patterson (4) attending a Dolly Parton concert.
SXSW blew the top off of its 2022 offerings with this incredible event capping a week of activities that witnessed its first in-person incarnation since 2019. Of course everybody was really there to see Dolly Parton. At first it was being positioned merely as a conversation with Patterson, as they have just collaborated together on a new book/album combo.
Parton has released a full album of songs tied into the book, and then we learned she would perform three of those songs. After duly giving the first taste of this delightful new addition to her musical oeuvre, Parton then proceeded to talk about her early life and perform many of her greatest hits! Her nearly 2-hour presence on stage brought some to tears, and it has already become one of my iconic memories of country music which began with seeing Mother Mabel Carter, a key founder of country music beginning a century ago.
This event, which was brought to SXSW by Blockchain Creative Labs (BCL), featured a free NFT in the form of a poster that anyone attending could add to their collection. For many, including me, it was my first NFT. Dolly Parton is partnering with FOX Entertainment’s (BCL) to launch “Dollyverse” — https://welcometodollyverse.com/ — an audience-centric Web3 experience. The Dollyverse hasl released an exclusive selection of official and certified Dolly NFT collectibles, including limited-edition NFTs of the Run, Rose, Run music album and a limited series of Dolly-inspired NFT artwork, for purchase during and after SXSW.
There were four opening acts, only one of which merits mention here. The single-named Kovic, who has already had his music streamed 50 million times, was here from England. His debut album was released in 2018. At SXSW he performed cuts from his 2021 album, Playing with Fire, wowing the audience with his trampoline-like bouncing, powerful voice, and devastating good looks.
This set the stage for Parton’s entry, at her first-ever SXSW appearance. “Dolly Parton’s participation in SXSW 2022 fulfills one of our longtime goals and we’re absolutely ecstatic to have her involved in this year’s event in such a unique way,” said Hugh Forrest, Chief Programming Officer for SXSW. “Beyond her legendary status in the music industry, Dolly embodies the SXSW spirit as she extends her unique brand of creativity across many verticals. Most importantly, Dolly serves as an inspirational and unifying role model for millions of fans — spanning different ages, occupations, and viewpoints — from all over the world.” Dolly said “I love Austin and I’ve done a lot of work here. I’ve come to Willie’s studio before and done Austin City Limits, I’ve done some movies here, I just never had the opportunity,” to do SXSW.
Dolly Parton is the most honored and revered female country singer-songwriter of all time. Achieving 25 gold, platinum, and multi-platinum awards, she has had 26 songs at #1 on the Billboard country charts, a record for a female artist. Recently, Parton reached #1 on the Billboard Christian Airplay Chart for the first time for her duet with Grammy award-winning Zach Williams of “There Was Jesus,” for which they won a Grammy this year, making that her 11th Grammy win. She received her first Dove Award for short form video for her collaboration with for King & Country on the song “God Only Knows.” Parton is the first artist to have topped the Billboard’s Adult Contemporary, Christian AC Songs, Hot Country Songs, Christian Airplay, Country Airplay and Dance/Mix Show Airplay radio charts. Parton recently became the first country artist honored as Grammy MusiCares Person of the Year given out by NARAS. She has 44 career Top 10 country albums, a record for any artist, and 110 career-charted singles over the past 50+ years. She was praised just last week for modestly taking her name out of contention for induction into the Rock & Roll Music Hall of Fame. She has also declined the Presidential Medal of Honor twice. Her down-to-earth style was on full display as she left the stage with Patterson. “I’ll be back in 15 minutes in case anybody need to go pee!”
While in conversation with Patterson, they revealed two important developments that are following on from the book and album. A movie is in the works, with Reese Witherspoon in a starring role!
“Dolly is the smartest person I’ve ever worked with,” enthused Patterson, and while he won’t be writing the movie screenplay, a further collaboration with Dolly is certainly in the cards. The beginning of their collaboration was a surprise to Dolly. “I got a call that James Patterson wanted to write a book with me. I thought ‘Why?’ He’s only sold 400 million books, I don’t believe he needs me. But I was curious as I love his books and I’ve always been a big fan, so out of respect I’ll hear the man out. She he came to Nashville and we just hit it off right away. He had a good idea, about Nashville, and that is something I know a little bit about!”
“We liked each other,” said Patterson, “and we sort of have similar backgrounds. Dolly went to Nashville as a million-to-one shot and I went into New York as a million-to-one shot, and it’s a lot like the main character in our book who goes to Nashville. We all have our dreams but sometimes those dreams don’t work out. We made the deal right there is her office, no agents, no lawyers. We just did it!”
Dolly said that very quickly she regarded Patterson as “a new old friend, like somebody I’ve always known. We’re both crazy and we both have a warped sense of humour, which helps. And we’re creative, so we got the job done in short order.”
The musical aspect of the project was fast in coming, and just as unexpected. “Two days later I got back home as she sent me the lyrics for seven songs!” Dolly said she related to the story, and it was like a lightbulb went off in my head – we never talked about doing an album. But all of a sudden, I thought this is about Nashville and this is about people that sing and this is about the inner workings of Nashville. I thought the best way I could contribute to this book was to write songs for it.”
Photo Credit for Parton and Patterson: Frank Micelotta
Photo credit for Kovic: Cliff Cunningham
For more about Kovic, read this interview:
Kovic Interview; Life, Liberty, and The Pursuit Of All Things Music
