My first thought when seeing Katy Tur break the news Dolly Parton had passed away not with sorrow but with thoughts of admiration of a life so well lived it will never be forgotten. My second was remembering an old Commodores song (Night Shift), a tribute to their friends Marvin Gaye and Jackie Wilson. And that as the line from the song says “Gonna be some sweet sounds, coming down, on the Night Shift.” I’ve never much enjoyed country music but Parton wasn’t your typical country singer. Or Entertainer. She was so much more than that, and given her humble beginnings we should celebrate her eight decades on this earth because she seemed to pack an entire century into each decade.
Much will be written and said in the days to come about Dolly Parton. I recall first seeing her on our black and white TV on the Porter Wagoner show which I thought was ridiculous. She’d move on from that (thankfully) but never forget Wagoner for giving her her shot. Whitney Houston might get the credit for I Will Always Love You and Houston’s cover was a quite different take than Parton’s original which topped the country charts not once but twice! Wagoner was devastated when she decided to go out on her own (his own career, not much to begin with fizzled) and the song was written as an expression of love and thanks by Parton to the person who established her in the country music scene.
Again, there was so much to her life I won’t attempt to capture it all here. You can read the Wikipedia link above (trust me it’s worth the time) which I don’t even think covers everything. What stood out to me about Dolly decades ago wasn’t her prolific songwriting and all the awards she received in more than one category or her acting (remember 9 To 5?) or the brassy image she put forth (she didn’t hesitate to admit to plastic surgery remarking ‘it cost a lot to look this cheap) but how she gave so much to so many. Not just back in her home region of east Tennessee, but all over the world. That’s why I chose the title image – not Dolly with the wig of big hair, bright red lipstick and a tight outfit showing cleavage but just regular Dolly Parton. At heart the simple country gal who enjoyed quiet, simple things and settings as much as the trappings of stardom.
As I said she was born to humble circumstances, one of twelve children. Her father she said was a sharp and figured out how to make money to support them although he never learned to read. (Interestingly despite playing multiple instruments Dolly never learned to read music!) So, she made it a point to promote literacy and gave countless donations to libraries and gave out hundreds of thousands of books. That was only one part of her philanthropy. Again, I urge you to read the link provided. Dolly Parton never, ever forget that despite growing up in some difficult circumstances she was truly blessed, and felt a duty to help others who needed a hand.
Although not political in the sense some stars are activists Parton didn’t shy away from some issues that wouldn’t sit well with conservatives who are the biggest audience for country music. She came out in favor of gay rights including marriage and didn’t care if a chunk of her fans liked it or not. Even later on trans! To her we are all just people, human beings deserving of acceptance and a chance to get as far in life as our abilities and willingness to work can take us. As a person of faith (she sang a lot of gospel) although not part of any Christian denomination she practiced what Jesus preached – loving and caring for “the least of these.”
There is so much I could say and want to say, but again I urge you to take the time to read the link. Few people have made as much of their life from so little as Dolly Parton. One might say her passing leaves a huge void, but she was savvy and set up a foundation and other programs that will continue the kind of work she devoted so much of her life to. Decades ago I thought of her as one of those people of whom we say ‘if they live to be 90 they will still die in the prime of their life.’
Dolly Parton didn’t make it that far, but eighty years is a good run and her life was more well lived than most. This country and this world would be a lot better place if more people we even a little bit like her. In the end her astounding singing and songwriting (as prolific as anyone I can think of) is what she’ll be remembered most for. Being agnostic I don’t know about any afterlife, but I’d like to think that the Commodores song, the image of Marvin, Jackie (and unnamed others) are warming up for a helluva concert tonight. It’s okay to wish Dolly Parton had stayed with us a few more years, but I’m pretty sure she’d tell you not to mourn, but rather to celebrate her life and the fact that a gal who came from her beginnings could rise to what she became.
Like Marvin Gaye she sang of the ‘joy and pain’ and like Jackie Wilson he love ‘lifted us higher and higher.’ I smile (ok, through some tears) at the thought of her between Marvin and Jackie and in her irrepressible way say ‘Come on guys, let’s make some music!’ while roping in so many other icons who themselves are already on “the Night Shift.” You just know (as it says in the song) they’ll ‘be singing proud’ and will definitely ‘pull a crowd:
