Dolly Parton's creative work continues through collaborators

NEED TO KNOW

• Dolly Parton’s team will continue releasing her projects, including music, books, and products she personally approved
• Upcoming ventures include Dolly’s SongTeller Hotel, Dolly Dolls, and a Broadway musical about her life debuting in 2027
• Parton’s food empire expands with frozen meals, baking mixes, and Dolly’s Cup of Ambition Coffee launching in 2027

Dolly Parton may be gone, but her work is far from over.

Following the country music icon’s death at 80, her longtime manager Danny Nozell says Parton spent the past several years preparing for exactly what would happen next. The singer-songwriter had “handpicked” a team and worked with them to create a long-term plan for projects she wanted to see through, even after her death.

“Dolly worked up until the day she died. She loved seeing her dreams come to life, and loved knowing her work brought people joy. Ever the planner, Dolly worked with the team that she handpicked, for the past several years to build a project roadmap that will guide us for decades to come,” Nozell, 59, said in a statement on Wednesday, Aug. 26.

“As the leader of the team responsible for overseeing her legacy, we will ensure the many dreams she had yet to fulfill are brought to life,” he continued. “Many projects were in various stages of development, and we want to be transparent with her fans about this fact. If you see unreleased music, products, books, experiences, and campaigns launched through official Dolly Parton channels, you can have confidence in knowing that she placed her personal stamp on it.”

And there is plenty in the pipeline.

Among the projects already in development are Dolly’s Tennessean Travel Stops, which will celebrate National Truck Driver Appreciation Week beginning Sept. 13, and Dolly Parton’s SongTeller Hotel, with stays beginning Sept. 14 and a grand opening scheduled for Sept. 29.

Fans can also expect Dolly Dolls, launching online Sept. 15; Dolly’s Life of Many Colors Museum, opening Sept. 29; and Dolly’s Cup of Ambition Coffee, launching online Sept. 29 before expanding to retail in spring 2027.

Parton was also looking ahead to the holiday season with Dolly on the Holly, coming in holiday 2026.

Her stage legacy will continue, too. The Broadway production of DOLLY: A True Original Musical will also move forward as planned, honoring Parton’s wishes. “Just like the title says, it’s a new musical about my life, all wrapped up in songs you might know,” she said in a video highlighting her work on several of her upcoming projects.

The show, which tells the story of Parton’s life and career, is set to begin previews at New York City’s St. James Theatre on Dec. 7, 2026, with opening night scheduled for Jan. 19, 2027 — what would have been Parton’s 81st birthday. Producers have confirmed that the production will continue on schedule following her death.

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Additional projects in development include a Dolly avatar show, which Parton recently told PEOPLE about, as well as a musical documentary, a biopic, a docuseries, a scripted series and an animated Billy the Kid series.

There are also plenty of Dolly-branded ventures on the way, including the Kendra Scott x Dolly “9 to 5” Collection in January 2027, Dolly’s Dog Treats in early 2027 and Dolly bedding and home decor in the third quarter of 2027.

Parton was personally involved in many of the projects, offering fans a glimpse of the humor and personality she planned to bring to them. While discussing her Dolly Dolls, she joked, “This one has had Botox, this one has not yet. We’re all plastic, ain’t we? It doesn’t matter.”

And because no Dolly empire would be complete without a little comfort food, Parton’s food empire will also continue to grow.

Her Southern-inspired line, created through partnerships with companies including Conagra Brands and Duncan Hines, includes single-serve frozen meals inspired by Southern favorites such as Chicken & Dumplings, Country Fried Steak, Shrimp & Grits and Beef Pot Roast. The line also features baking mixes and desserts, including coconut and banana cake mixes, buttermilk biscuits, sweet cornbread, muffins, pancakes and brownies.

“It’s a dish that’s close to my heart,” Parton said of her Chicken & Dumplings frozen meal. “And now, I get to share that same comfort and flavor with all of you.”

Then there’s the coffee. “A cup of ambition is available now. Pour yourself a cup,” Parton said, borrowing a phrase from her beloved “9 to 5.”

Parton’s team says more details about the projects already in the works, as well as additional plans, will be announced soon.