I write a lot about country music. It’s my favorite genre. In several of my columns, I have debated the top country singers or the most important, influential, and/or inspirational songs. Many of these debates are subjective, but there has always been one that is not: the most popular and important female country artist. Hands down, it’s Dolly Parton, the Queen of Country Music.
After all the tributes she has received this week, what makes her so special to me is that she was born and raised as a poor girl in the Appalachian Mountains of East Tennessee and, after all her fame and fortune, she died as a simple, but now very rich, girl from the Appalachian Mountains of East Tennessee. To use a famous phrase from the mountains, she never got above her raisin’. With all the awards, the fans, the songs, and movie roles, she always just seemed like the same old Dolly.
In every tribute, the reason her death is so hard to accept is that Dolly was truly loved by everyone. That is basically impossible to do anymore. Conservative or liberal, white or Black, gay or straight, Christian or atheist, male or female, everybody loved Dolly Parton. Why? Because she loved all of them back.
Dolly had the kind of upbringing you can make movies about, and, in fact, they have. Growing up the way she did shaped the person, performer, and humanitarian she would later become. From a young age, Dolly learned the value of family, hard work, music, and determination. She exhibited these traits throughout her life.
Born Jan. 19, 1946, in Sevier County, Tennessee, she was the fourth of 12 children. The Parton family lived in a small, one-room cabin in the Great Smoky Mountains. Her father worked hard doing jobs such as farming and construction while her mother cared for the large family. The Partons did not have much money, but Dolly often spoke and sang fondly about the love and support she received.
Music was an important part of her childhood. Her mother sang and played traditional songs, hymns, and folk music, which introduced Dolly to music at an early age. She began singing publicly while she was still a child. She also learned to play instruments and started writing her own songs. Recognizing her talent, Dolly’s family encouraged her to develop it.
She began performing on local radio and television programs while she was still young. By the time she was a teenager, she had already gained experience performing for audiences. She traveled to nearby towns to perform and began making connections in the country music industry.
One of the most important moments in Dolly’s early life came when she moved to Nashville, the heart of country music, shortly after graduating from high school. She hoped to turn her songwriting and performing abilities into a career. She faced many challenges, but she continued writing songs and looking for opportunities.
Once in Nashville, she met country singer Porter Wagoner, who became the most important mentor in her early career. Wagoner invited Dolly to join his television program, “The Porter Wagoner Show.” At the time, Dolly was a talented young singer and songwriter who was still trying to establish herself. Joining Wagoner’s show gave her the chance to perform regularly on television and reach country music fans nationwide.
Because of Dolly’s talent and personality, her fame began to eclipse Wagoner’s, leading to some conflict. Dolly wanted to spread her wings while Wagoner wanted to keep her on his show, even threatening to sue her if she left. One of the hardest decisions she ever made was to leave Wagoner and strike out on her own. Arguably her most famous song, “I Will Always Love You,” she wrote for Wagoner as a way of thanking him for all he had done.
Fortunately for all of us, Dolly did spread her wings and fly. She gave us a string of beloved country music hits, many of which are on my ultimate playlist. She also made a bunch of movies, none of which I would call amazing, but they all put a smile on my face. In fact, everything she did seemed to put smiles on all our faces.
Finally, Dolly’s faith was a huge influence throughout her career. Dolly has said that she believed in God and tried to live by principles such as love, kindness, forgiveness and helping others. I believe she did. The gospel music of her youth remained an important part of her work; she recorded many gospel songs and albums.
In 2005, Dolly and Brad Paisley recorded the song “When I Get Where I’m Going.” The song says what I think so many of us would want to say about Dolly’s journey. In the chorus, she sings “Yeah, when I get where I’m going; There’ll be only happy tears; I will shed the sins and struggles I have carried all these years; And I’ll leave my heart wide open; I will love and have no fear; Yeah, when I get where I’m going; Don’t cry for me down here.”
I’m not crying for Dolly tonight. I’m remembering all the happiness she brought to this world. I believe she was correct when she sang about what would happen when she finally got where she was going: “But when I get where I’m going; And I see my Maker’s face; I’ll stand forever in the light; Of His amazing grace.”
Those words seem especially fitting now.
Rest peacefully, Dolly, and thank you for the love you shared.
James Finck is a professor of American history at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma. He can be reached at james.finck@swoknews.com. Thanks to the Southwest Ledger and the Lawton Constitution for sharing his column.
