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A Real Live Dolly

A Real Live Dolly is the first live album by American singer-songwriter Dolly Parton. It was released on June 29, 1970, by RCA Victor. The album was produced by Bob Ferguson and was recorded on April 15, 1970, at Sevier County High School in Sevierville, Tennessee. It peaked at number 32 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and number 154 on the Billboard 200 chart.

A Real Live Dolly

June 29, 1970

April 15, 1970

Sevier County High School (Sevierville)

39:51

Background[edit]

Plans for a live album were first announced in the February 28, 1970 issue of Billboard. The article stated that April 25 would be the second annual Dolly Parton Day in Parton's hometown and that she would give a benefit show at her high school alma mater to establish a scholarship fund and purchase musical instruments for students at the school. They also announced RCA's plans to record the performance for a live album. The article went on to say that two busloads of artists would make the trip from Nashville to Sevierville to take part in the benefit show.[1]

Recording[edit]

The album was recorded on April 25, 1970, at Parton's high school alma mater, Sevier County High School in Sevierville, Tennessee. Eight songs performed that day were cut from the album's release: "Just Because I'm a Woman", "In the Good Old Days (When Times Were Bad)", "Daddy Come and Get Me", "He's a Go-Getter, "Just the Way I Am", "Coat of Many Colors", "Chicken Every Sunday", and a reprise of "Tall Man".

Release and promotion[edit]

The album was released June 29, 1970 on LP and 8-track.

Commercial performance[edit]

The album debuted at number 34 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. It would peak the following week at number 32. The album spent four weeks on the chart. It debuted and peaked at number 154 on the US Billboard Billboard 200 chart, where it remained for two weeks.

Reissues[edit]

The album was included as a bonus disc with pre-orders of Parton's career-spanning box set Dolly in October 2009. This version of the album includes four bonus tracks recorded during the April 25, 1970 performance; "Just Because I'm a Woman", "Daddy Come and Get Me" and "He's a Go Getter" and Parton's first live performance of "Coat of Many Colors". This expanded version of the album was made available as a digital download on March 23, 2010.