Dolly Parton is already the most honored female in music. It would be easy to think that there is no further way to honor the career of the petite lady who has captivated listeners since she started singing, more. By the time she reached 10, Dolly was already a songwriter, having put her “gift of rhyme” to use in a tender song about a cornhusk doll called “Tiny Tassel Top” that still makes the acclaimed artist wistful.
Dolly Parton still recalls her father putting eyes in the precious corn cob treasure with a hot poker, and her mother transforming the husks into a silky dress. “I loved that little doll,” Parton reminisces.
Parton has already been honored with the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, but she sat down with her latest collaborator, Linda Perry, another accomplished lady of song, for a conversation ahead of a tribute concert honoring Dolly on February 7 and Sunday’s Grammy celebration on February 10. The natural rapport and admiration, between the hit-making producer and the singer-songwriter with Guinness World Record plaques adorning her offices, was captured by The Hollywood Reporter.
On Sunday night, Dolly Parton will be surrounded, on stage and in her seat, by some of the greatest living female vocalists, and she will take center stage, herself, singing songs from her Netflix movie, “Dumplin’” which Linda Perry co-produced. Parton's philanthropic efforts through the My People Fund and her global children's literacy effort, Imagination Library will also be a focus as she is honored as the 2019 MusiCares Person of the Year. It's going to be a powerful night of love for Dolly Parton.
One thing changes everything
Fans can stroll through Dolly Parton's history at the Grammy Museum at her exhibit, “Diamond in a Rhinestone World: The Costumes of Dolly Parton,” which will remain through March.
Self-effacing as ever, Parton proclaims that “I'm a workhorse that looks like a show horse,” and Linda Perry would agree. The producer and songwriter marveled at the 73-year-old’s energy, singing straight through six songs on the first day, and contending that she can barely get “a 20 or a 30-year-old to sing one song” in a single day.
Dolly's propensity for hard work and her way with people are qualities that were born from her Smoky Mountains upbringing, and she wouldn't change anything. “If you change one thing, it would change everything,” the songwriter maintains. Parton has always credited her father for her business acumen, which has earned her great admiration from peers and from boardrooms of male executives in the music industry.
She does mention one regret - doing a variety show, “Dolly,” from 1976-77, with too many people involved, and not enough of the genuine Dolly. Parton laments the project as “not good and I was not happy doing it,” but since then, she has kept her sense of self in all situations, and stayed true to her heart.
Perry proclaims Dolly as “one of the most humble people,” saying that “you’re like the sun. You just shine down.” Parton shies away from the praise but insists that being “comfortable with who I am,” including the hurts and mistakes of life, keeps her sensitive side alive. She refuses to “harden” her heart, knowing that she could not “write the way I write” or relate to people in her accepting way.
A really good crowd
Grammy host Alicia Keys has 15 of her own Grammys, but one of the things she is most looking forward to, as per her February 8 interview on “CBS This Morning,” is the tribute to, and performance by, Dolly Parton.
Dolly Parton will be flanked by Lady Gaga, Diana Ross, and her newlywed goddaughter, Miley Cyrus, in the seats. Fans can hope that Miley will sing something special for the family inspiration that she openly adores, and Little Big Town, Maren Morris, Kacey Musgraves, and Katy Perry will for sure be singing their hearts out for the honoree.
One way or the other, giving from the heart always flows on forever, and somehow flows back to the giver. These Grammys will reflect the immense gratitude for a lifetime of song and a giving heart.