Dolly Parton, Tennessee Vols athletics announce partnership with exclusive album, including 'Rocky Top'
Dolly Parton and Tennessee athletics announced a partnership Wednesday, bringing two powerful East Tennessee brands together.
The superstar singer and UT are releasing an exclusive Vols edition of Parton's upcoming album "Rockstar," which will include a live version of Parton singing "Rocky Top." Parton and UT also collaborated on a co-branded merchandise line.
“My East Tennessee roots run deep, and I am so proud to be partnering with the Vols on a line of merchandise,” Parton said in a school release. “I’ve performed ‘Rocky Top’ so many times live in my concerts through the years, and I know how much that song means to Vols fans. I am thrilled to have the chance to include my version of the song on a special edition of my new Rockstar album as part of this partnership.”
Parton's upcoming album is scheduled to be released on Nov. 17. The UT edition is a two-CD limited edition set with Parton in the middle of the cover with a checkerboard end zone along with a Vols logo. One CD is orange and one is white. The album has 31 songs, including "Rocky Top." The album, a foray into rock music from the Queen of Country, is available for preorder through Parton's website.
The apparel collection is slated to be available at regional retail locations and online, including select items sold through the Vol Shop.
“Dolly Parton is one of the most influential and best-selling artists of all-time and we are proud to partner with such an icon,” athletics director Danny White said in a school release.
Parton, 77, spoke at commencement at UT in 2009 and was awarded an honorary doctorate of humane and musical letters. She had world tour stops on UT's campus in 2011 and 2014.
ESPN announced Monday that songs from "Rockstar" will be added to select weeks of Monday Night Football's franchise soundtrack. The multi-week collaboration began this week for the show's Week 3 coverage with Parton’s single “Night Moves" featuring Chris Stapleton. Parton's new music also can be heard during Week 6 with “Heartbreaker," which features Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo.
Parton's first rock and roll album was inspired by her induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last year.
USA TODAY reporter Joyce Orlando contributed to this report
Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics. Email him at michael.wilson@knoxnews.com and follow him on Twitter @ByMikeWilson. If you enjoy Mike’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Dolly Parton, Tennessee athletics deal includes album, 'Rocky Top'
