Dolly Parton Goes Virtual with NFTs and the Metaverse

Key Insights:

• Dolly Parton goes Metaverse with Dollyverse.
• Parton and best-selling Author James Patterson will also drop NFTs at the live streaming event.
• Parton follows K-Pop and Warner Music Group into the Metaverse.

The music industry’s relationship with NFTs and the Metaverse continue to grow. Earlier this year, Music industry powerhouse Warner Music Group (WMG) purchased LAND in the Sandbox (SAND). WMG purchased a beachfront property in the Metaverse to build a musical theme park and concert venue.

With NFTs and the Metaverse offering artists and music labels greater fan access, music artists of all generations are embracing digital assets and the virtual world.

Dolly Parton Goes Metaverse

This week, country music singer and actor Dolly Parton announced the launch of Dollyverse. Parton partnered with FOX Entertainment’s Blockchain Creative Labs (BCL) to launch Dollyverse. According to the announcement, Parton and best-selling author James Patterson will be dropping limited edition NFTs of Parton’s new album titled Run Rose Run. NFT collectibles include Dolly-inspired NFT artwork.

For Dolly Parton fans, Parton will also stream “a free live performance on the blockchain at SXSW.” “Fans streaming the event will receive tokens authenticating their participation.” Fans attending the event in person can claim a free NFT. Parton and Patterson will discuss the project before the live performance.

The event will take place on Friday, 18^th March.

Dolly Parton Follows K-Pop into the Metaverse to Engage with Fans

According to the FOX Flash press release, Dolly Parton said: “There’s almost nothing more important to me than connecting with my fans. And I’m always up for trying something new and different. I’d say releasing NFTs at my first ever appearance at SXSW, with James Patterson by my side, definitely counts as new and different!”

In January, U.S domiciled Metaverse concert organizer Animal Concerts partnered with South Korea’s Klatyn blockchain to host music concerts in the Metaverse. The partnership places focus on the Korean music scene and K-Pop in particular.

The foray into the Metaverse will not be the first. In 2020, K-Pop phenomenon BTS held a virtual concert, Bang Bang Con The Live, which reportedly drew 756,000 global viewers. According to ELLE, the event raked in $20m.

The MAP OF THE SOUL ON:E live stream sold an even more impressive 993,000 tickets across 191 countries. According to Bandwagon, the live stream brought in an estimated $43m in sales.

With Dolly Parton going live this month, more mainstream music artists are likely to explore the Metaverse and NFTs, particularly with the WMG beachfront venue.