Dolly Parton performs at the 2021 Kiss Breast Cancer Goodbye Concert at CMA Theater at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on Oct. 24, 2021 in Nashville.
Jason Kempin/GIAt 75, Dolly Parton remains busier than ever.
In addition to hosting the March 7 ACM Awards with Gabby Barrett and Jimmie Allen, on Wednesday (Feb. 23), the country superstar and co-author James Patterson launched the Run, Rose, Run bookcast on Spotify.
The bookcast, which will release multiple episodes weekly, will incorporate audio storytelling, original music and other elements from the new mystery Parton and Patterson wrote and will release March 7. The accompanying soundtrack, written by Parton, comes out March. 4. It is Spotify’s first venture that combines audio and spoken word, according to Dawn Ostroff, the streamer’s chief content and advertising business officer.
“I still can’t believe that I get to launch Spotify’s first ever Bookcast with my buddy James Patterson. What a great way to reach out to listeners all around the world,” Parton said in a statement. “When we wrote this book together, I felt I could contribute best by sticking to my first love, music. James and I hope that listeners will be able to feel the connection between the book and the album as we work to bring this story and these characters to life, as only two storytellers can.”
“I’ve been a fan of Dolly Parton’s storytelling for years, so I was thrilled to collaborate with her on Run, Rose, Run and bring these characters to life,” added Patterson. “The music she’s created around this project is incredible, and I’m grateful that Spotify has given us the opportunity to bring listeners a new experience of the book and album.”
In other Parton news, her Storyteller Radio station moves from Sonos Radio’s paid tier to its free tier today, as part of Sonos’ enhanced country programming. A new episode based around Run, Rose, Run will debut March 10. Other Sonos Radio country additions also include Runaway Horses, a new podcast hosted by Margo Price, and the series Nashville Now Headliner, which highlights superstar artists with new projects. It kicks off with Thomas Rhett.
Parton also appears on the upcoming tribute album Touch Through Me: The Songs of Dottie Rambo, performing the late artist’s “Come Spring” with Pam Tillis. She discussed the set, Run Rose Run and other projects on the fourth season premiere of Larry Ferguson’s Mr Nashville Talks on YouTube, which bowed Wednesday.
Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso honored Shyne with a key to the city during a ceremony held at the East Flatbush Young Men’s Mentorship Expo on Saturday. The recognition highlighted both his influence in hip hop and his contributions as a public figure and advocate. Reynoso also declared April 25, 2026 as “Shyne Day” in Brooklyn.
“Shyne embodies what is possible when a community believes in its young people, and the magic that can happen when young people are given the resources they need to thrive. East Flatbush raised Shyne, and it only made sense to present him with the Key to Brooklyn as we team up to deliver hope and opportunity to dozens of young men today,” Reynoso said at the event, as caught by BK Reader.
Shyne also addressed the crowd. “This is the community that raised me, and it’s important for me to pass that love forward,” he said. “There couldn’t be a better way to celebrate this milestone than coming back home and pouring into the next generation.” He also revealed that everyone in attendance would receive complimentary tickets to his 25th anniversary concert on May 2 at the Kings Theatre.
The show will mark 25 years since the release of his self titled debut studio album, which arrived on September 26, 2000. Even while Shyne was incarcerated at the time, the project debuted and reached number five on the Billboard 200 chart. It moved close to 160,000 units in its opening week.
Earlier this week, Shyne posted a video of himself standing outside the Kings Theatre on Instagram while promoting the upcoming performance. "Can’t wait to see you this Saturday, May 2 @kingsbklyn as we celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Shyne Album…..the celebration will continue @crownhilltheatre where I will meet, take pictures and party with you, my loyal supporters, who’ve made Shyne a Rap Legend," he captioned the post. Fans filled the comments with fire emojis in response.
