Dolly Parton Announces ‘Rockstar’ Partnerships With ESPN & UT Vols

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Dolly Parton has partnered with ESPN and University of Tennessee ahead of her Rockstar album release on Nov. 17.

ESPN’s Monday Night Football will also feature music from Rockstar during select weeks this season. The collaboration began in week 3 of the schedule (Sept. 25) with “Night Moves,” featuring Chris Stapleton, and then continues in week 6 (Oct. 16) with “Heartbreaker” featuring Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo.

Following the album’s Nov. 17 release, Rockstar’s “Magic Man,” featuring Ann Wilson with special guest Howard Leese, and the album’s title track “Rockstar,” with special guest Richie Sambora, will be heard in select Monday Night Football games the remainder of the year.

“I am excited for ESPN to spotlight songs from my new Rockstar album,” says Parton. “When I decided to do a full-blown rock album after they put me in the Rock ‘N Roll Hall of Fame, I thought it would be fun to call the album Rockstar. The athletes who give their all everyday are most definitely rock stars, and I love that these songs will be a small part of celebrating their achievements.”

Parton has also collaborated with The University of Tennessee Athletics Department for an exclusive Vols edition the much-anticipated album. The 2-CD set, available for pre-order now, will include a live version of Parton’s “Rocky Top.”

In a deal facilitated by IMG, leading game day apparel company LivyLu launched a co-branded merchandise collection with Parton and the UT Vols. The collection will be available via regional retail locations and online platforms.

“My East Tennessee roots run deep, and I am so proud to be partnering with the Vols on a line of merchandise,” says Parton. “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 has a long association with the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. In 2009, she delivered the commencement speech to the graduating class, where she was awarded an honorary doctorate of humane and musical letters. In both 2011 and 2014, Parton brought her world tours to the campus arena.

Caela Griffin
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