R. David Shew
First, I received a text this afternoon from a friend who told me that Dolly Parton passed away. When I got home, I strolled Facebook and viewed the many quotes from friends, entertainers, and others.
Curt ‘Uncle Daddy’ Chapman used a song by Dolly on her 9 to 5 album You Know I Love You to describe his true feelings. I am in agreement with his statement.
Ruth Casey, a high school classmate, posted a song by Brad Paisley featuring Dolly Parton entitled When I Get Where I’m Going that hit the nail on the head. Dolly is truly an angel now and “there will only be happy tears” forevermore.
Father James Sichko reminded this Richmond resident that Dolly came to St. Mark’s Catholic Church twice and held benefit concerts in 2008 at Brock Auditorium and 2014 at EKU Center for the Arts.
There were quotes from friends like “World lost a true legend” and “So sad up in the mountains today” and “Today, the world lost a little bit of its sparkle” and “Rest them butterfly wings Dolly” and “Dolly was one of the good ones.”
The legend Ricky Skaggs posted “Today the world lost a friend, but heaven has gained a beloved daughter. This was a favorite post for me.
The Empire State Building will sparkle PINK tonight to honor Dolly Parton which is truly a fitting sign for America. President Trump has ordered flags at half mass across the nation this week.
A favorite quote from Dolly states “If you see someone without a smile, give them one of yours.” This quote comes from the movie The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas where Dolly was the star! Remember “9 to 5” where Dolly stood up for working-class women. How about “Coat of Many Colors” telling the story of her upbringing. “Steel Magnolias” is a testament to Dolly’s love for women and their friendships and struggles. Don’t forget “Rhinestone” with Sylvester Stallone and the hit song Rhinestone Cowboy.
In addition to being an excellent singer, Dolly wrote many songs that were released by other musicians like Waltz Me to Heaven for Waylon Jennings, I’m in No Conditions for Hank Williams Jr, Fuel to the Flame for Skeeter Davis, Rainbow Lane for Miley Cyrus, Kentucky Gambler and In the Good Old Days (When Times Were Hard) by Merle Haggard and The Strangers. I Live So Fast and Hard for Porter Wagoner and Mel Tillis who both cut the song, To Daddy for Emmylou Harris, Circle of Love for Jennifer Nettles, There Will Always Be Music for Tina Turner, and The Stranger for Kenny Rogers who sung many songs with Dolly.
Dolly will always be known for Jolene which was released in 1973 and sung around the world by many musical artists. Dolly’s first #1 hit on the country charts was released in 1974 and was entitled I Will Always Love You. Int 1992, Whitney Houston starred in “The Bodyguard” and the song stayed at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for 14 weeks. Two Doors Down and Here You Come Again were written by Dolly in 1977 which happened to be two of my favorite songs from my college graduation. Remember hearing them at The Family Dog which should be opening soon.
On a final note, this writer will always cherish taking my mother, Miss Kitty, to Gatlinburg to see the Christmas lights, and we stayed in the Dollywood Hotel at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort. This author left my book “Midway Dreams” written by my sister Rhonda and me with a lady who reads to the children visiting the resort hotel. Now if I could only get Penguin Random House to republish my books, maybe I could get them in Dolly’s Imagination Library which was established in 1995.
Thank you, Dolly Parton, for creating your legacy in music and life and philanthropy! Dolly will always be a shining star on earth and now in heaven! Listen and enjoy her music and life!
100.7 “The Coyote” is featuring the life and music of Dolly this Friday night starting at 7 on the show “Classic Request LIVE” with Grendalyn Morton.
