Dolly Parton Wants To Make A ‘Gospel Album’ Before Her Death

Faith has always been a crucial part of Dolly Parton’s personality. Aspects of her upbringing in a religious household have remained with her throughout her career. She has been writing and recording religious music for most of her career, but she wants to put out a “great gospel album” to leave a lasting impression.

Parton is a dynamic singer who has gone in many different directions throughout her career. Even when she experimented with blues or rock, she never wavered from her origins in country music. Parton is taking a risk by releasing a rock album in the wake of her induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Despite her age, Parton remains incredibly busy with multiple projects and has no plans to retire soon. However, she recognizes the importance of leaving a lasting legacy. The “Jolene” singer stated in an interview with Mirror that she wants to create a gospel album that would leave listeners with a message to “lean on.” Parton said:

“I want to do a great gospel album and make it spectacular and uplifting – I’m all about that now at my age.
“You think, ‘I’m not going to be around here that long,’ so I want to leave some kind of message so that people will have something to lean on.”

While Parton values legacy, she does not want her spirit to be revived after her passing. Parton expressed caution about the development of artificial intelligence (AI) at a London Press Conference, stating she didn’t want her soul to remain on Earth. She shared:

“I think I’ve left a great body of work behind.
“I have to decide how much of that high-tech stuff I want to be involved [with] because I don’t want to leave my soul here on this earth.”

Parton’s upbringing heavily involved gospel music, with her grandfather being a Pentecostal preacher and her family deeply rooted in Christianity. While she still believes in God and maintains a spiritual connection, she no longer attends church regularly and describes herself as more spiritual than religious.

She also mentioned how she feels a connection to God in nature. Parton said:

“A lot of people think that because I look so artificial, I never spend time outside.
“I love to be out in nature … I sit under trees to write songs. I listen to God’s voice through the wind.”