Dolly Parton’s song, Jolene, is without a doubt one of her biggest hits and most recognizable song. According to producer Sam Haskell, the 1973 song is the inspiration behind NBC’s second television movie, a series based on Dolly’s inspiring life story.
We are very excited to let you know that the next one will be Jolene,” he said. “[John] has come up with an incredible story that Dolly just loves.”
Dolly Parton’s, A Coat of Many Colors, takes a look into the tight-knit Parton clan as they struggle to overcome devastating tragedy, discover the healing power of love and faith and a raggedy patchwork coat that helped form Parton into who she has become today. The project will be written by John Sacret Young, who is best known for his writing on shows like The West Wing and China Beach.
The song itself was written back in the early 70’s by Dolly and tells the story of a woman who tries to steal away another woman’s man. Parton told a concert audience last year that the story was “based on a little bit of truth.”
Parton recalls meeting a little girl who had come up to the stage for an autograph. “I said, ‘you’re the prettiest thing I’ve ever seen’. She had red hair, green eyes and fair skin,” she stated in an old TV interview. Parton asked the girl her name; Jolene.
I said, ‘well that’s just about the prettiest name I ever heard. I’m gonna write a song about you and if you ever hear it, you’ll know it was about you’.”
Parton’s first NBC movie is expected to air during the holiday season and will star Jennifer Nettles, Ricky Schroeder, Alyvia Alyn Lind, and Gerald McRaney. The three will play various members of the Parton family. Nettles will play Parton’s mother, Avie Lee; Schroder will play Parton’s dad, Lee and Alyvia Alyn Lind, who was cast back in July to play the beloved country singer herself. They also join McRaney who will be playing Grandpa Jake Owens.
Watch Dolly Parton perform ‘Jolene’ back in 1974.
https://youtu.be/1plvBR02wDs
