Remembering Dolly Parton
The country music icon succumbs to cancer at 80
The loss of a beloved icon, especially when it’s sudden and unexpected, the sadness seems incalculable.
Nevertheless, that only begins to describe what her fans, friends and admirers are now feeling with the sudden passing of Dolly Parton.
While she had reportedly been dealing with health issues for the past year, and the personal pain of losing Carl Dean, her husband of nearly 60 years, just last year, and her brother, Coy “Denver” Parton” this past July, she still seemed inspired, effusive and engaging. During a recent press gathering marking the opening of Dollywood’s newest attraction, “Night Flight,” she spoke to the gathered press representatives via a prerecorded video message, explaining that her doctors had advised her to stay home in Nashville rather than travel to her namesake theme park as she was prone to do on most media days. Nevertheless, she looked as effervescent and upbeat as ever, her hair perfectly quaffed and her makeup applied with usual pure perfection.
In other words, she was the epitome of Dolly delight.
VIDEO: Dolly Parton on Dollywood’s debut
That was less than two weeks ago, and at the time, there was every indication she would always be immortal, a presence destined for perpetuity. She was, in fact, optimism personified.
Indeed, she leaves behind a lingering legacy that makes it all the more difficult to imagine a world with her. Her talent as a performer and songwriter are immeasurable, and the music she left behind all but assures her place as one of the great songwriters of all time. Her vibrant stage performances made an emphatic impression, and the show this writer once witnessed ranks among the best concerts he’s ever seen.
So, too, her charitable contributions and ongoing monetary donations to the people of her native East Tennessee in the wake of recent natural disasters helped ensure that hundreds of people not only survived but also had potential to thrive once the worst had passed. She donated a million dollars to those desperate to those working to create a covid vaccine, and her Dolly Parton Imagination Library gave children throughout the nation and the world the opportunity to read. She gifted some 300 million books to children beginning at birth through the age of 5, giving them the gift of literacy, indirectly honoring her own father who could neither read nor write.
“When I was growing up in the hills of East Tennessee, I knew my dreams would come true,” she once said.” I know there are children in your community with their own dreams. They dream of becoming a doctor or an inventor or a minister. Who knows, maybe there is a little girl whose dream is to be a writer and singer. The seeds of these dreams are often found in books and the seeds you help plant in your community can grow across the world.”
It’s said that her philanthropic outreach amount to expenditures of half a billion dollars over the course of her career.
An extraordinary entrepreneur to boot, she never forgot her humble beginnings in Appalachia. She grew up in a tiny cabin that lacked even the essentials, such as indoor plumbing and electricity. Dollywood is not only a testament to her beloved environs, but also her opportunity to give back to the people who live there. Many are Dollywood employees and the jobs the park offers benefit those who are beginning their career and senior who make up a impressive portion of their ranks. Forbes magazine hailed it as one of the finest employers in the nation and the most authoritative theme park trade publications consistently rank it as one of the best theme parks in the world, right up there with Disney and Universal.
Its charm and down-home designs clearly set it apart.
Indeed, Dolly represents the actual epitome of the proverbial rags to riches saga. She rose from impoverished beginnings to achieve superstardom in practically ever arena in which she ventured. Her song are rightfully termed American classics, profoundly personal in origin yet universal in their universal embrace. “Coat Of Many Colors” detailed her early hardscrabble existence with a family consisting of her parents and eleven siblings, all of whom shared a love of making music. “I Will Always Love You” became an international hit courtesy of Whitney Houston’s rendition for the film “The Bodyguard,” but it was originally written to bid a fond farewell to her early mentor and singing partner Porter Wagoner once she made the decision to go out her own. “Jolene” was composed after she noticed a would-be temptress making a pass at her husband. “9 To 5” not only became the theme song for her first sojourn into film, but also her own anthem of independence as a woman determined to compete in a man’s world.
VIDEO: Dolly Parton “9 To 5”
A darling of Hollywood, she enjoyed a successful film career in the wake of her movie debut, given that her irrepressible attitude also shone brightly on the big screen.
Always self-effacing — she consistently made light of her “nips and tucks,” her ample cleavage and an affinity for bountiful wigs (She once told the assembled media at Dollywood that she wouldn’t be riding a new rollercoaster because “my wig will blow off”) — she was rarely seen without the smile on her face or her absolutely effusive engagement. She enjoyed any number of superstar collaborations, from Kenny Rogers, with whom she shared the hit “Islands In the Stream,” penned by the Bee Gees, and The Trio, which also included Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris, to the all-star line-up (Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Elton John, Peter Frampton. John Fogerty, Ann Wilson, Sting, Joan Jett, Sheryl Crow, Michael McDonald, et.al.) that contributed to the making of Rockstar, a decided turn in direction that was recorded in an effort to justify her entry into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. It was an honor she initially felt she didn’t deserve, leading her to ask the powers to be to remove her from consideration.
She later reconsidered. “I’m a rock star now,” she boasted during the induction ceremony.
She could afford to be extraordinarily modest. Over the course of her career, she collected eleven Grammy Awards, a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, sic Golden Globe Awards, countless Academy of Country Music Awards, a Tony Award, a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame, the National Medal Of Arts, Kennedy Center Honors, and the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, the latter given her this past year. She was also inducted into the Grand Ole Opry and the Nashville Songwriters Hall Of Fame.
One would be hard-pressed to find another artist who can claim a similar wealth of extraordinary achievements.
It’s little wonder then that almost instantly after news of her death was announced on Tuesday, dozens of her fellow superstars paid her homage.
Barbara Streisand described her as “a true force of nature.” Paul McCartney called her a “magnificent star,” adding, “She was so bubbly and full of life it is difficult to take in the news that she has passed. Her songwriting, her singing and her philanthropy were unrivaled in the world of country music and it is hard to imagine living in a world without Dolly.” Of her cover of “Let It Be” on Rockstar, he noted, “There was no greater honour for me than to have her sing my song…and, even though I only made a small contribution to it, I am so honoured that she did it…I am so proud to have known her and admire her unique talents. Thanks Dolly for the beautiful music you gave me and the whole world.”
Mick Jagger said of her, she was a “wonderful songwriter and singer. She brought so many people together, we will all miss her so much.”
Those in the Country Music community offered their own words of praise.
“Every member of the Grand Ole Opry family has a Dolly story, as does everyone around the world who was ever in her orbit,” Dan Rogers, Senior Vice President and Executive Producer of the Grand Ole Opry commented. “That’s just one of the things that made her so special. For more than 50 years as an Opry member, she used her talent and success to bring sheer joy to millions. To every artist, she provided inspiration beyond measure. To every fan, she connected in a way that made each of us feel like the most important person in the room. Her impact will live on forever as we all carry forward the kindness, compassion and generosity she shared throughout her life.”
VIDEO: Reba McEntire feat. Dolly Parton “Does He Love You?”
Her colleagues concurred. Reba McEntire wrote,“Dolly, thank you for all the wonderful things you did for us here on earth. Your love, your music and you gave so much with your huge huge heart. There will never ever be another you. We will remember and cherish every memory and every note you ever played and sang.”
Kacey Musgraves, who has cited Parton an inspiration, once hailed her as the “ultimate songwriter.” “So glad she’s with her Carl Dean,” she continued. “No one talk to me today.”
Others shared similar sentiments. “I can say with absolute certainty that we are all feeling the same heart brokenness today,” Blake Shelton wrote on X. “I want everyone to know that she was the EXACT person that you think she is. It was like being with the funnest, most loving, most caring and closest member of your family. Truly a loss for the entire world.”
Parton’s 9 To 5 costar Lily Tomlin posted a photo of her and Parton with the caption“No words,” but added on X this description: “Friend. Songwriter. The Great Harmonizer of Humanity. Dolly. Dolly. Dolly. Forever Dolly.”
Her other 9 To 5 costar, Jane Fonda, said she was “devastated” and that she “never knew anyone like her…“She was many things… lyricist, songstress, player of many instruments, writer, prankster, visionary, loyal friend. … She had a survivor’s instinct and seemed to always know just what to do, just what to say, to make things right,” said Fonda. “She was the voluptuous embodiment of empathy.”
Naturally, the Dollywood community issued a statement conveying their own feeling of grief and loss:
“With heavy hearts, the Dollywood family mourns the passing of our beloved Dreamer-in-Chief, Dolly Parton. Everyone at Dollywood shares the sorrow of countless people around the world touched by Dolly’s warmth, wisdom and generous spirit. Dolly’s heartfelt wish was that Dollywood always remain a place of joy, hope and togetherness — a space where families and friends could honor her memory, not with silence, but with laughter, music and shared dreams.”
“The greatest privilege of my life has been helping Dolly bring her dreams to life at Dollywood,” said Eugene Naughton, Dollywood Parks & Resorts president. “Dolly’s heart was as vast as the mountains she cherished, and her compassion knew no bounds. She inspired generations to dream boldly and love deeply. While we grieve her loss, we are honored and committed to carry her light forward. Her legacy will continue to shine in every melody sung, every smile shared and every dream kindled within these gates.”
VIDEO: Dolly Parton and Miss Piggy
At the time of her passing, Parton, ever ambitious, had other projects planned, including a Broadway musical based on her life and career and the completion of a memoir.
Still, her illuminating persona somehow still remains, as does the inspiration and optimism she always freely shared with others. She was always the persona of down-to-earth, down-home wisdom, and her philosophical perspective spoke truth to those who always loved her and always will.
Here’s a small sample:
“Find out who you are. And do it on purpose.”
“The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain.”
“You can wish your life away. But if you’re going to dream, you’re going to have to get out and… put some wings on them dreams.”
“Don’t get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life.”
“Storms make trees take deeper roots.”
Those are lessons well worth learning. Dolly may be gone, but it’s safe to say she’ll never, ever be forgotten, and, of course, will always be loved.
VIDEO: A Message from the Family of Dolly
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