Parton and Patterson

This cover image released by Butterfly Records shows “Run Rose Run” by Dolly Parton. The iconic singer also has a book co-authored by James Patterson releasing this week with the same title. (Butterfly Records via AP)Stacie Huckeba/AP

Yes, as unlikely as it may seem, Dolly Parton and James Patterson have co-authored a book!! An article in the Parade magazine, Sunday, March 6, 2022, focused on the book and the relationship the two authors developed while working on the book. Run Rose Run is not unlike other Patterson thrillers. Parton’s part was brain-storming the plot and authenticating the scenes set amidst the music industry in Nashville. The story centers around Annie Lee Keyes, a young singer who moves to Nashville, and Ruthanna Ryder, already a Nashville legend, who mentors Keyes. Of course, Keyes has a mysterious past that generates the intrigue and drives the action.

Mary Laura Philpott, author of the article in Parade, discovered that Parton and Patterson, in spite of their differences, have very much in common. In fact, the two became very good friends during the writing process, which took longer due to the pandemic. Both have tremendous creativity as well as shrewd business sense. They have also used their accumulated wealth to encourage reading. Patterson says, “If we get books into kids’ hands, they stand a better chance at reading at grade level, and then doing better in high school or college or getting better jobs.” He has donated millions to universities, libraries and independent book sellers. Parton, of course, founded the Imagination Library, which gives millions of books to children around the world. Her foundation also funds all tuiton costs for employees of the Dollywood Parks and Resorts that want to pursue a higher education.