The music video premieres globally via MTV & CMT
Internationally beloved, Dolly Parton, has released the latest track off her upcoming rock album, Rockstar – a stirring rendition of the ‘90s hit, “What’s Up?,” which features the song’s writer and lead singer, Linda Perry. A song about the at-times, overwhelming pressures of the world around us, and the need for release, Parton’s angelic and hopeful voice ushers in a sense of promise for a better tomorrow.
“First of all, I love Linda Perry. Second of all, I love this song written by Linda. Third of all, I love being a part of this video to try to make people think about what’s going on in this world today,” Parton shares. “Shout out to the little children that helped with the video! If our children don’t make it, then what will? Again, I ask ‘What’s Up?’ Enjoy.”
“How is one supposed to react when the greatest and most prolific songwriter in the world wants to cover a song YOU wrote?” Perry adds. “Her version of What’s Up? is so good. Her spin on it made me feel like it was her song. No surprise there. Being on set making the video was a comfortable easy experience. The vibe on set was chill and Dolly and I got to catch up and laugh a lot. I could go on and on, obviously, I’m a fan!”
Filmed at Eakin Elementary School in downtown Nashville on one of 2023’s hottest days of the year and directed by Steve Summers (produced by NOZ Entertainment), the touching video airs exclusively today (Fri, Sept 22nd) on MTV and CMT/CMT Music/CMT on Pluto TV, as well as on their iconic Times Square billboard. The video will then be released via YouTube and all other streaming platforms beginning tomorrow (Sat, Sept 23rd) at 10 am ET.
In celebration, MTV and CMT will be celebrating three hours of all things Dolly featuring her entire videography with Dolly Parton I Want My MTV. The special begins airing on November 17th in markets around the world.
As one of the year’s most-anticipated album releases, Rockstar features Parton taking on some of the most adored songs in rock history. She has already released four songs from the album – a cover of Queen’s “We Will Rock You/We Are the Champions,” the new, original song she wrote with producer Kent Wells “Bygones” featuring Rob Halford, Nikki Sixx and John 5 which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Rock Digital Songs chart, “Magic Man (Carl Version)” featuring Ann Wilson, and her original song, “World on Fire,” which also reached the No. 1 Billboard Rock Digital Songs chart the month of its release.
Rockstar is set for global release on November 17th via Butterfly Records with distribution by Big Machine Label Group and will be available as a 4 LP set, a 2 CD set, digital download and on all streaming services.
