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All in the Family for Dolly Parton and Jennifer Nettles

Dolly Parton’s TV movie, “Coat of Many Colors,” is inspired by her hit song of the same name and is based on the true story of her family’s struggle after the loss of her baby brother, Larry. Singing star Jennifer Nettles plays Dolly’s mother.

A first for Dolly Parton! Her made-for-TV movie, Coat of Many Colors, airs on NBC on December 10, at 9 p.m. ET. Singing superstar Jennifer Nettles plays Dolly’s mother, Avie Lee, Ricky Schroder plays Dolly’s father and Alyvia Lind plays young Dolly. The movie is inspired by Dolly’s hit song of the same name and is based on the true story of her family’s struggle after the loss of her baby brother, Larry, who died when he was only six days old. 

Guideposts: (l to r) Ricky Schroder, Dolly Parton, Alyvia Lind and Jennifer Nettles

1 of 5 Jennifer Nettles and the cast of "Coat of Many Colors"

“For a long time I’ve been missing shows that are family- and faith-based,” Dolly said. “For years I have wanted to make a movie based on a song that tells a true story from my childhood. I wanted to honor my father and mother and show the kind of people and family we were and are. I am very proud of my family and wanted to show how love and faith can carry us through any hardships in life.”


Guideposts: (l to r) Jennifer Nettles, Alyvia Lind and Ricky Schroder

2 of 5 Jennifer Nettles, Ricky Schroder and Alyvia Lind

“Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d be in a movie about the queen of country music, let alone play the mother who was such an inspiration to her,” says Jennifer, who remembers, when she was a young girl, singing to Dolly’s songs when they came on the radio.

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Guideposts: Jennifer and Alyvia in a Rocking Chair

3 of 5 Jennifer Nettles and Alyvia Lee share a tender moment

Jennifer immersed herself in the script and read up on Dolly’s family and her childhood to prepare for the role. Before filming began she met with Dolly and asked,“Is there anything about your mom that you want to tell me? I want to make sure I do right by her.” Dolly grabbed both of Jennifer’s hands and said, “I’ll tell it to you like this. My mama was me without the glitter.” Jennifer told us that was the best direction she could ever have received. 


Guideposts: The Principal Cast of “Coat of Many Colors. Dolly's sister Stella is on the far left.

4 of 5 The principal cast of “Coat of Many Colors”

“On our first day of shooting the movie, Dolly’s sister Stella [on far left in photo], who’s in the movie, led us in a prayer,” Jennifer said. “It was a beautiful way to bring the cast and crew together.”


Guideposts: Jennifer hosting the 2014 CMA Country Christmas special

5 of 5 Jennifer hosting the 2014 "CMA Country Christmas" TV special

Like Dolly, Jennifer grew up in the South and sang in her church at a young age. “Some of my earliest memories are of my mom singing hymns and praise songs to me. The music stirred something in me. We were active at Carver Baptist Church in Georgia. I was six years old when I sang my very first solo there in the Christmas play. That was my big break as a singer!” 

For more about Jennifer and her upcoming solo album, visit jennifernettles.com, and look for her story, The Greatest Gift, in the December 2015 issue of Guideposts.

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