Dolly Parton Announces 2025 New Album “ROOTS ABOVE, STARS BELOW” with First Extensive Live Performances Since 2023
Dolly Parton, the legendary country music icon, has officially announced her long-awaited 2025 album, titled “ROOTS ABOVE, STARS BELOW”, alongside plans for her first extensive live performances in nearly two years. The news has sent a wave of excitement through the music world, with fans and fellow artists alike celebrating the return of one of America’s most beloved voices to the recording studio and the stage.
Set for release on October 3, 2025, the album marks a deeply personal and musically adventurous project for Parton, blending the traditional Appalachian sounds of her upbringing with a bold modern twist. It’s her first full-length studio album since her 2022 rock-inspired project “Rockstar”, and her first full tour since 2023.
—
A Return to Her Roots—with a Cosmic Twist
“ROOTS ABOVE, STARS BELOW” is a fitting title for an album that seeks to bridge the humble origins of Dolly’s Tennessee mountain upbringing with her far-reaching global influence. In a statement released through her label, Butterfly Records, Parton described the project as “a celebration of where I come from and how far dreams can take you.”
“I’ve always believed that you can have your feet planted firmly in the soil of who you are,” she said, “but still reach for the stars. That’s what this album is all about—honoring my roots, while embracing the journey I’ve taken and the people I’ve met along the way.”
The album is said to feature 13 new tracks, each with a narrative arc that draws from Dolly’s life, legacy, and the spiritual connection she feels to both the earth and the heavens. Songs like “Coal Dust in My Veins,” “Starlight Train,” and “Hearts Like Mine” are expected to highlight the contrast and harmony between struggle and aspiration.
—
Collaborations with Country Royalty and Rising Stars
ROOTS ABOVE, STARS BELOW will also feature a wide range of musical guests. Among the confirmed collaborators are Willie Nelson, Kacey Musgraves, Chris Stapleton, and even a surprise duet with folk-pop breakout artist Noah Kahan. The album blends classic country instrumentation—banjo, mandolin, fiddle—with more experimental arrangements and atmospheric production.
Parton’s longtime producer and friend Kent Wells returns to co-produce, bringing cohesion to the album’s diverse sonic palette. “This is Dolly at her most free,” Wells said. “She’s telling stories the only way she can—with heart, wisdom, and fire.”
Of particular note is a haunting acoustic ballad called “The Echo of Elkhorn Ridge”, which Parton wrote alone during a stay at her Tennessee cabin. Sources close to the project say the song may be one of the most intimate of her career, reflecting on the people she’s lost and the dreams she’s still chasing.
—
Tour Dates and Performances
Accompanying the release of the album is the announcement of Dolly’s 2025 “ROOTS & STARS” Tour, which will kick off on October 10 in Nashville and travel to over 25 cities across North America, including stops in Atlanta, Denver, Chicago, Toronto, and Los Angeles. The final show is scheduled for December 15 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
This will mark her first full-length tour since 2023, and fans are already clamoring for ticket information, with presale access expected to begin in mid-July.
“I said I wasn’t gonna tour again,” Dolly laughed in a recent video posted to her Instagram. “But you know me—I can’t stay off the stage for too long. This album pulled me back out into the light.”
In addition to the main tour, Dolly will also be performing a special one-night-only benefit concert at Dollywood on November 22, with all proceeds going to the Imagination Library, her global book donation initiative for children.
—
Themes of Legacy, Spirituality, and Empowerment
Much of ROOTS ABOVE, STARS BELOW is steeped in the themes that have long defined Dolly’s music: resilience, family, love, and faith. But there’s a notable evolution in her lyrical content, reflecting the wisdom of an artist who continues to reinvent herself at age 79.
Several tracks are overtly spiritual, though not tied to any single doctrine. “I think the older I get, the more I realize we’re all searching for light in different ways,” Parton said during a recent interview with NPR. “And I wanted to write songs that made people feel seen—wherever they are in their walk.”
One such song is “Mountain Church,” which reimagines the church as a place not built of stone or stained glass, but of trees and wind and quiet reflection. Another track, “Stars Below,” flips the idea of heaven on its head, suggesting that “some angels walk among us, here and now.”
—
Reactions and Anticipation
The announcement has generated a groundswell of excitement among fans and fellow artists. Social media has been flooded with messages of support and anticipation, with the hashtag #RootsAboveStarsBelow trending within hours of the official announcement.
Taylor Swift tweeted, “Dolly is a master of magic and meaning. I can’t wait to hear what she’s created this time.” Country icon Reba McEntire called it “a spiritual revival through music,” while Billboard described it as “Parton’s most ambitious concept album yet.”
Industry experts are already predicting that ROOTS ABOVE, STARS BELOW could be a major contender for Album of the Year at the 2026 Grammy Awards, especially given its sweeping scope and universal message.
—
Dolly Parton: A Living Legend Still Breaking New Ground
Dolly Parton has never been one to rest on her laurels. With over 60 studio albums, countless awards, and a global reputation as a singer, actress, philanthropist, and entrepreneur, she has nothing left to prove—but still, she continues to evolve.
Whether it’s launching a rock album at age 76, funding children’s literacy across the globe, or starring in her own holiday specials, Dolly remains one of the most active and admired figures in the entertainment industry.
With ROOTS ABOVE, STARS BELOW, she not only returns to the music that first made her a star but also elevates it with a visionary’s touch. “I don’t think of this as just another album,” she said. “I think of it as a piece of my soul, wrapped in a song.”
—
Final Thoughts
Dolly Parton’s ROOTS ABOVE, STARS BELOW is more than just a new album—it’s a testament to the staying power of authenticity, creativity, and kindness in an industry that often forgets its roots. It’s a cosmic journey through sound, guided by a woman who has always kept her feet on the ground, even while reaching for the stars.
Whether you’re a lifelong fan or a curious newcomer, this album promises to deliver a deeply moving, soul-stirring experience—one only D
olly could create.
Mark your calendars: October 3, 2025. The stars are waiting.
Be the first to comment