The jointly written mystery book and accompanying country album both debut in March.
What happens when the queen of country and the king of thrillers team up?
They create a project that’s the first of its kind.
James Patterson and Dolly Parton.Illustration by Van Saiyan for EW
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: You two make an iconic duo, but how did this collaboration even begin?
JAMES PATTERSON:Like a lot of people, I was a big fan of Dolly’s.
DOLLY PARTON:And we liked each other a lot!
The book cover of ‘Run, Rose, Run,’ by Dolly Parton and James Patterson.Cornerstone
I wasn’t sure how I would fit into the picture; I haven’t written a novel.
And we really created a wonderful friendship in working together.
PATTERSON:We had a lot of things in common.
The album cover for ‘Run, Rose, Run,’ by Dolly Parton.Butterfly
We’re both storytellers country music is really about storytelling.
When we were down in Nashville, she said, “I’ve written thousands of country songs.
I can write one standing on my head, want to see?”
PARTON:I do write fast!
We did this with no agents, no lawyers, no nothing.
We just said, “Let’s just do this thing.”
Nobody’s ever done this.
Nobody’s done a book and an accompanying album.
An album and a book?
Why would you do that?"
They would have tried to tell us no, but we wouldn’t have let them.
PARTON:It’s like a soundtrack to a book.
Maybe more people will do it if this does that well.
PATTERSON:I’m sure they will.
PATTERSON:I never really get into the secret sauce.
But we did go back and forth a lot.
I was a nervous wreck wondering what he would think.
PATTERSON:That was so funny.
“I’m so nervous.”
You’re Dolly Parton!
I think I was more concerned about the bluegrass-flavored things and you liking that.
I’ve got to say, you already seem like old friends.
PARTON:We are.
PATTERSON:No, just say “friends.”
Don’t say “old friends.”
PARTON:I know!
James feels like an old friend to me.
A young old friend.
A friend who’s old, a young friend
PATTERSON:A good friend.
A new old friend?
PARTON:We feel likefriends.
It’s a good story.
It has some mystery to it.
And I think you’re going to be delighted by the album.
PARTON:Thank you.
I wanted to impress you.
PATTERSON:You did.
It’s a magical experience.
There’s that old saying, “Write what you know.”
How much did you draw from your own life for the characters' backstories?
PARTON:I have lived both lives, so James [consulted] me a lot.
One of the songs in my album based on the characters is “Big Dreams and Faded Jeans.”
It don’t always go that way.
I was luckier than most in my case, years ago.
And look at us now.
It was meant to be.
Do you have plans to collaborate again in the future?
PARTON:We’re going to be thinking of this story as a feature film as well.
I haven’t been in a movie in a long time, so it’s about time.
This will be very special.
Right now, we hope you buy the book and the album because we need the money.
It costs a lot to look this cheap.
PATTERSON:We need the money, that’s right coats like this don’t come cheap.
PARTON:[Laughs] We’re dressed alike, and he ain’t never done that before!
PATTERSON:This is new for me.
PARTON:I have him dressing like a duet partner.
Now I’m trying to teach him how to sing.
PATTERSON:I’m ready.
Is this what you would wear as a duet partner?
PARTON:But we have to be coordinated.
We’re a pair now.
So, James, is there any chance we’ll ever hear you duet with Dolly on a song?
PATTERSON:[At the same time] Yeah, absolutely!
PARTON:[At the same time] Not a chance!
PATTERSON:She’s heard my voice.
PARTON:He can’t sing!
We’ll work on that.
PATTERSON:You never know.
A version of this story appears in the March issue ofEntertainment Weekly, on newsstands now.
