There were so many reasons to love Dolly Parton, and it seemed every single person did just that. She was universally beloved, adored across cultural and ideological divides - a miracle in this day and age.
Since Dolly’s passing I keep thinking about how she was unapologetically herself despite being ridiculed and underestimated for so many years. When I was a kid she was the punchline of jokes. I remember thinking it must be embarrassing, like if I was thought of that way I would be ashamed. Not Dolly. Dolly made it clear in interviews that she knew people were laughing at her and she stayed true to herself regardless. She even used it to her advantage.
“I look like a woman, but I think like a man. I’ve done business with men who think I’m as silly as I look. By the time they realise I’m not, I’ve got the money and gone.”
After decades of being treated like a joke, even as she enjoyed a massive songwriting and performing career, something shifted. In the last decade of her life, if not longer, Dolly was spoken of with reverence and love; she had become everyone’s hero and a respected elder. Respect of age and wisdom are a rare thing in this culture; Dolly inspired both.
In the wake of Dolly’s passing I keep coming back to the simplest of mantras that is so hard to live: Be yourself, and believe in yourself.
Dolly embodied the ethos of doing what makes you happy and makes you proud. Dolly let people react and respond however they may, and she kept loving herself and spreading love. And it seemed Dolly was joyful to the last, no doubt a byproduct of a life well lived and a soul at peace.
If you would like to take a moment to honour the life of Dolly Parton and poet and recently late writer Wendell Berry, Katie Hoogendam and I would love it if you would join us on Friday, September 11th at the Old Camborne Schoolhouse to commemorate their work, words and wisdom; to sing songs from Dolly and hear some poetry and excerpts from Wendell Berry. I can’t read his poetry without crying, it cracks my soul right open. Thank goodness Katie will be handling those.
This is free, inclusive, cozy, comfy, and meant to be cathartic in the loss of two cultural lodestars.
If you can, we’d LOVE to see you at 7pm on Friday, Sept. 11th. Pals, plus-ones and families very welcome!
I have one other Upcoming Performance I’m quite excited about. Plainville United is hitting the Cultivate Festival Stage on Saturday September 26th. Tickets are Pay-What-You-Can, and it’s my favourite weekend of the year. See you there? See you there!
xo
Shannon