Dolly Parton, Linda Perry’s new ‘Dumplin’ album

‘Music’s Leading Ladies Speak Out’ at Music Biz 2018

Dolly Parton and Linda Perry headlined the Artist Keynote segment of the ‘Music’s Leading Ladies Speak Out’ Program. The program was a highlight of the second day of MusicBiz 2018 presented by the Music Business Association in Nashville, May 14 – 17.

Parton and Perry collaborated on the upcoming soundtrack album for the movie ‘Dumplin’ (Dolly Records/RCA Nashville), co-writing six new songs and creating new versions of six previously-released songs. ‘Dumplin,’ described as a ‘female-centric project,’ is directed by Anne Fletcher and stars Jennifer Anniston and Danielle MacDonald.

Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee Linda Perry is best known for her work as the lead singer and chief songwriter of 4 Non Blondes, writing and performing the Billboard Hot 100 Top 20 hit “What’s Up?” Through her work as a multi-platinum producer and songwriter, she has had a profound impact on pop culture at large, and an especially resounding impact on female empowerment, supplying artists such as P!nk, Christina Aguilera, Alicia Keys, Britney Spears, and Adele with her uniquely creative services. This has resulted in Top 20 hits such as P!nk’s “Get the Party Started,” Christina Aguilera’s “Beautiful” and “Keeps Gettin’ Better,” and Celine Dion’s “My Love.”

“I dreamed myself into a corner”

In a lively session that often had the audience roaring with laughter, the panel moderator, Billboard’s West Coast Editor Melinda Newman, got Parton and Perry to reveal that two of their collaborations for the soundtrack album include Miley Cyrus (Parton’s goddaughter) and Sia.

“When I was a little kid I always dreamed of being this. People ask, ‘How do you work all the time?’ Because I dreamed myself into a corner and I have to be responsible to those dreams. And I couldn’t be happier, because every dream I have brings on a new dream, like a tree with deep roots and branches and a lot of leaves, and every time something happens it makes something else happen.” – Dolly Parton

Also involved in this year’s ‘Music’s Leading Ladies Speak Out’: Wendy Goldstein (EVP of A&R at Republic Records), Beka Tischker (Founder of Wide Eyed Entertainment), Erin Crawford (SVP & GM of Nielsen Music), Marcie Allen (President of MAC Presents), Marlene Tsuchii (International Touring & Music Agent at CAA), Kelli Turner (EVP of Operations & CFO at SESAC), and Janet Weir (Artist Manager/Maren Morris at 42 Entertainment/Red Light Management).

Preshias Harrisis a music journalist and music career development consultant with the emphasis on new and aspiring artists and songwriters. Her book, ‘The College of Songology 101: The Singer/Songwriter’s Need to Know Reference Handbook’ is available at  www.collegeofsongology.com  Follow her blog at  www.nashvillemusicline.com