By Bob Grossweiner and Jane Cohen

The venerable Dolly Parton kicks off her 2008/2009 Backwoods Barbie World Tour with a Feb. 28 show in Minneapolis, MN. Parton, who plans to be on the road extensively throughout 2008, including a major run through Europe in June and July, is touring in support of her new studio album of the same name that will be available digitally and at retail on Feb. 5.

“Backwoods Barbie” is Parton's first album of mainstream country music in 17 years and features the new single and video “Better Get To Livin’.” She penned nine songs for the album and produced it with bandleader and guitarist Kent Wells.
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In advance of the tour, Parton  will perform at three special club shows: Feb. 4 at The Roxy in Los Angeles; Feb. 11 at Park West in Chicago; and Feb. 13 at Highline Ballroom in New York City.  These shorter shows will include songs from the new album as well selections from her vast catalog, and tickets will only be available through www.dollypartonmusic.net and supporting radio stations (KKGO in Los Angeles and US99.5 in Chicago).
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For her world tour, the recent Kennedy Center honoree will also perform hits from her new album and throughout her storied career, which includes 21 #1 hits, seven Grammy Awards, 10 Country Music Association Awards, five Academy of Country Music Awards and three American Music Awards.

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Dolly Parton 2008 itinerary:

2/28  Minneapolis, MN     Northrup Auditorium       �
2/29  Chicago, IL               Chicago Theater               �
3/3    Pittsburgh, PA         Benedum Center              �
3/5    Boston, MA              Opera House                     �
3/7    New York, NY          Radio City Music Hall      �
3/9    Uncasville, CT         Mohegan Sun                   �
3/11  Fairfax, VA                Patriot Center                    �
3/12  Atlanta, GA               Fox Theater                      �
6/13  Stockholm, Sweden          Stockholm Stadium
6/14  Malmo, Sweden                  Malmo Stadium
6/22  Kilkenny, Ireland                Nowlan Park
6/24  Belfast, N. Ireland               Odyssey Arena
6/27  Glasgow, Scotland            SECC
6/28  Manchester, England        MENA
6/19  Glasgow, Scotland            SECC
7/1    Nottingham, England        Arena
7/2    Birmingham, England       NIA