[1] Parton wrote the album over a three month period in 1997 at her lake cottage outside Nashville and at her Tennessee Mountain Home in Sevierville, which was immortalized in her 1973 hit song.

Detailing the writing process for Billboard, Parton said, "I went back home and fasted, not so much in a religious way but as a means of humbling myself and getting into the spirit of things.

[2] Shelia Shipley Biddy, Decca's senior vice-president, told Billboard in July that the label had a "massive national plan" set up to support the album.

They also considered releasing the album to retail locations in a lunch-box which would include an apple-shaped notepad, a carrot-shaped ink pen, and a Dolly Madison cupcake.

[2] Parton made an appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on August 24 to promote the album, performing "Honky Tonk Songs".

[9] On September 30, Parton appeared on Prime Time Country where she performed "Honky Tonk Songs", "When Jesus Comes Calling for Me", "I Am Ready", and "The Salt in My Tears".

[11] Following the second single's release, Parton made a second appearance on Live with Regis and Kathie Lee on November 24 and performed "The Salt in My Tears".