figures of note when they shed this mortal coil,
but today your respectful Peasant is going to
pay tribute to an American icon, a member of
Country Western musical royalty, a generous
philanthropist, and a person who loved people
and cared about them so much that she gave over
$600 million to charities in the course of her storied
life and career, and also gave money directly to
financially struggling people to pay for their medical
treatments or their college educations or to house,
clothe, and feed them.
Dolly Parton, regarded by many as the Queen of
Country Music, left the world's stage two days ago
to step onto the heavenly stage and join Heaven's
choir.
Dolly was an unlikely woman to have the life that she
had; born into abject poverty in a one-room cabin
in Pittman Center, Tennessee, the fourth of twelve
children to her parents, a sharecropper and tobacco
farmer with his own land and a Pentecostal preacher
and his wife. Two of Dolly's songs which she had written
and recorded were based on her childhood memories
about her impoverished but joyful life. Dolly's father
paid the local country doctor with a sack of corn meal
for delivering Dolly, as the Partons had little if any
money.
Parton began singing in her local church at six years of age.
She went on to sing on local TV and radio shows once word
got out about her singing ability. At 13 Dolly recorded the
single "Puppy Love" for the Louisiana label Goldband
Records. It was her first record, and was quickly followed
by her first appearance at the Grand Ol' Opry, where she met
Johnny Cash. He introduced her as "a little girl here up from
up in Tennessee" to the audience. Cash also encouraged Dolly
to follow her own instincts regarding her career. It proved to
be the best career advice in the world for the rising singer.
In the 1960s Parton's career gained new and stratospheric heights
as she was signed by musician and country star of the day Porter
Wagoner to be his co-star on his TV show. They had chart success
singing duets together along with Dolly having similar success with
singles. Parton would outgrow her partnership with Wagoner and
have even more success as a solo performer, though sometimes
appearing and recording with some fellow singers such as
Kenny Rogers, Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt. Dolly also
performed for our troops and boosted the United States with her
shows while avoiding falling into politics; she steadfastly refused
singing any songs with political content and never voiced her
opinions on political matters, preferring to leave that up to the
politicians as she said in many an interview. Dolly simply wanted
to love and accept everyone as they were and for what they were,
and this fortified her already strong popularity. Along the way,
she built Dollywood, a theme park with Dolly's music among the
may things Dolly being featured.
Dolly also did some acting in movies, among them the very popular
"9 to 5", as well as "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas" in which
she played the Madam!
Although not a political figure to any degree, Dolly Parton was a
living example of the American rags-to-riches ethos. Dolly showed
everyone what was possible in building a successful career and a
life of accomplishment and plentitude. Most importantly, Dolly
showed the country, and the world, what having a positive outlook
and a kindly, friendly, and characteristic personality could help one
achieve --- and her sharp and laugh-provoking wit certainly helped!
At the age of 80, following a brief bout against cancer, Dolly Parton
passed away, leaving her legacy of love and joy in her music, her films,
and the way she lived her life. She will always be not just an example
but a guiding light for the world to follow. God rest you, earthly angel.
Requiescat in pace.
MEM
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