According to Dolly Parton, the commercial was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. "Riding in a convertible with Elvis? What more could a girl ask for?” she continued. “I am so proud of my Tennessee heritage, and I am thrilled and incredibly honored to be promoting our great state alongside the world’s most legendary superstar."

"The idea behind the commercial is to bring together two international stars that symbolize Tennessee’s unparalleled musical history. The commercial is a positive, energetic and unforgettable celebration of Tennessee’s past, present and future," Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen commented.

"This represents a very rare time that EPE has allowed an Elvis film to be digitally altered.  But we know that Elvis admired Dolly.  And no one loved Graceland and Tennessee more than Elvis, so we agreed knowing how proud he would be to welcome the world to visit," said Jack Soden, CEO of Elvis Presley Enterprises.

Dolly and Elvis transcend superstardom, having achieved world-wide fame as entertainment legends and leaders among other outstanding Tennessee legends.   Whether it’s rock, country, jazz, gospel, soul, or bluegrass, Tennessee offers rich musical heritage and unparalleled live musical experiences.  And the state’s stage is not only set for great music, it’s set for outdoor adventure and beauty, available throughout the state, from the banks of the Mississippi to the Great Smoky Mountains.

Interesting Facts

Chandler Ehrlich creative staff reviewed 13 Elvis films – over 20 hours of film to find the 10-second scene needed for the commercial. They also reviewed hundreds of photos and materials from the archives of Elvis Presley Enterprises. It took approximately 6 months to make all of the arrangements to produce the commercial.

Dolly’s wardrobe in the commercial was designed as a tribute to Elvis.

Clambake was filmed in 1967. The car used in the commercial is a customized 1967 Corvette Stingray convertible.

The music for the commercial was scored to fit the classic 50’s style of Elvis.

Dolly’s scene was filmed in Knoxville, Tennessee; the original music was written and recorded in Memphis; the editing and special effects were produced in Nashville. Elvis is known for living in West Tennessee (Memphis) and recording in Nashville. His Clambake album was recorded at Music Row’s Studio B.   Dolly is known for performing and recording in Nashville and living in East Tennessee (Pigeon Forge) near Dollywood.

In preparation of the commercial every detail in the 10-second scene had to be studied so that Dolly could be inserted into the car with Elvis seamlessly - countless hours studying camera positions/angles/locations, lighting to match exactly with the 1967 lighting,  location of Dolly in the car, her reaction to Elvis in the car, creating wind to blow her hair the same as Elvis’, creating reflections of Tennessee landscape on the car hood, and development of sound effects to compliment the action in the scene.

The broadcast commercial features Dolly and Elvis side by side cruising through Tennessee together. How is it done?  By shooting Dolly in High Definition against what’s called a “green screen,” and by then removing all the green from the shot in post production and replacing it with the original  background of Elvis in Clambake.  Dolly was then able to be digitally placed in the car with Elvis.

CMT Interview: Is it true that Elvis also wanted to record "I Will Always Love You"?

Parton: I hesitated to tell it for a long time because I thought maybe people would not take it right because it was Elvis. But Elvis loved "I Will Always Love You," and he wanted to record it. I got the word that he was going to record it, and I was so excited. I told everybody I knew, "Elvis is going to record my song. You're not going to believe who's recording my song." It's like one of those things I told everybody. I thought it was a done deal because he don't just say he's going to do something. Anyway, he sent word that he loved it and he was doing it. They get to town and they call and they ask if I want to come to the session -- and, of course, I was going to go.

Then Colonel Tom [Parker, Presley's manager] gets on the phone and said, "You know, I really love this song," and I said, "You cannot imagine how excited I am about this. This is the greatest thing that's ever happened to me as a songwriter." He said, "Now you know we have a rule that Elvis don't record anything that we don't take half the publishing." And I was really quiet. I said, "Well, now it's already been a hit. I wrote it and I've already published it. And this is the stuff I'm leaving for my family when I'm dead and gone. That money goes in for stuff for my brothers and sisters and nieces and nephews, so I can't give up half the publishing." And he said, "Well then, we can't record it." I guess they thought since they already had it prepared and already had it ready, that I would do it.

I said, "I'm really sorry," and I cried all night. I mean, it was like the worst thing. You know, it's like, "Oh, my God ... Elvis Presley." And other people were saying, "You're nuts. It's Elvis Presley. I mean, hell, I'd give him all of it." I said, "I can't do that. Something in my heart says, 'Don't do that.'" And I just didn't do it, and they just didn't do it. But I always wondered what it would sound like. I know he'd kill it. Don't you? He would have killed it. But anyway, so he didn't. Then when Whitney [Houston's version] came out, I made enough money to buy Graceland. (laughs)