On Tuesday (August 15), Dolly Parton was happy to announce a new musical endeavor of hers. For the first time in her career, Parton is releasing an album entirely comprised of music for children.
Titled I Believe in You, the new album makes its digital debut on September 29 and will hit store shelves on October 13. All proceeds generated from the album will go to Parton’s Imagination Library, an organization that provides children with free books.
“My first album was released 50 years ago and it’s been an amazing 50 years since then,” Parton said in a statement picked up by The Tennessean. “I am very excited that now I’m coming out with my first children’s album in all of those 50 years. I’m proudest of all that all of the proceeds from this CD will go to the Imagination Library.”
The album contains a total of 13 tracks, some of which Parton performed for a small group of parents and children upon announcing the news about her new record. She sang the album’s title track, “I Believe in You,” the anti-bullying song “Makin’ Fun Ain’t Funny,” and an upbeat ditty titled “Brave Little Soldier.”
Prior to singing, Parton invited all of the children to help her out on the song. She explained that there’s a part in the song that sounds like drums, and she wanted the kids to mimic the sound. Moving her hands as if she was playing an invisible drum, Parton asked the children to do the same throughout the song.
Marching around the circle of children gathered on the floor, Parton made sure to interact with everyone in the room. It’s clear that she was having a fun time performing her new song, as she never stopped smiling the entire time.
You’re sure to have a big smile on your face when you watch Parton perform “Brave Little Soldier” in the video below. After watching this, we can’t wait to hear the rest of the songs on her new children’s album. We’re sure they’re all just as spectacular!