Randy L. Schmidt - Dolly on Dolly: Interviews and Encounters with Dolly Parton (Musicians in Their Own Words)

In 2016, Dolly Parton turned seventy years old. At an age by which many artists have long been retired, she shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, Dolly is still one of the busiest entertainers in show business. Having first gained recognition as a singer-songwriter, she became country musics most honored female performer of all time, as well as a celebrated actress, bestselling author, Broadway composer, and humanitarian. Today, Dolly is a living legend, a national treasure, and still every bit the superstar that she was at any pinnacle in her illustrious career.

As a businesswoman, Dolly manages a multimillion-dollar empire reaching far beyond her musical roots. Theres Dollywood, the popular theme park near her hometown in the Great Smoky Mountains, as well as the Splash Country water park, DreamMore Resort, and several restaurant chains, including the Dixie Stampede and Lumberjack Adventure. But Dollys favorite of her many endeavors is the Imagination Library, a program providing free books to children all over the world.

NBC-TVs telecast of Dolly Partons Coat of Many Colors on December 10, 2015, brought Dollys childhood story to the small screen in a very big way. It captured the attention of 15.9 million viewers, making it the most-watched film on broadcast or cable television in nearly seven years. The film was such a success that a sequel, Dolly Partons Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love, was ordered and began filming during the summer of 2016. Dolly made a cameo appearing as the trashy town trollop she says inspired her gaudy look.

Instead of relaxing and taking time off during her golden years, Dolly is full steam ahead into her next ventures. She announced in March 2016 that she would embark upon her biggest North American concert tour in more than twenty-five years. Before its over, the acoustic-style Pure & Simple tour will play more than sixty dates around the United States and Canada and usher in the release of Pure & Simple, her forty-third studio album. At the end of May, Dollys tour paused just long enough for her and husband Carl Dean to celebrate their golden anniversary with a private vow renewal ceremony. With her datebook bursting at the seams, retirement is nowhere in Dollys vocabulary. Why would I ever do that? she exclaimed in an August 2016 interview for Digital Spy. That word doesnt register with me. I cannot possibly imagine retiring. What would I retire to? [... ] Im going to be productive, positive and work as long as I can.

Nobody knows Dolly like Dolly. By 1978, the country queen had crossed over to become a sensation in the pop music world when she sat with Star magazines John Latta to take verbal inventory of her new status as international superstar. Im still the same person, she said, but Im happier now and I feel even more confident that I can accomplish the things Ive dreamed of doing.... Ive always planned to achieve total musical freedom for myself, and thats where Im headed.

Dolly Parton had left The Porter Wagoner Show in 1974 after seven years of recording sessions, television tapings, and touring alongside Wagoner, whod been her duet partner, mentor, and Svengali. What Ive always wanted [is] to be a singing star with my own show, she told journalist Dave Hickey in Country Music magazine that same year. Hickey noticed a sparkle in her voice. When Dolly says star its like youve never heard the word before, he observed. The idea has so much force for her, and its meaning is so obviously clear.... When she uses the word star, you know that, to her, it isnt just a fantasy or a vague term denoting success. Its what shes going to be... will be... is.

Dolly and Wagoner maintained an amicable business relationship for the next two years, but the two severed ties completely in 1976. Thats when she broke free and began to put into place an extensive revamp of her image and music, one that would reach broad and new audiences, far beyond the field of country music. Backlash from some unhappy country fans led Dolly to repeatedly have to explain her makeover. Im not leavin country music, shed say, Im takin it with me!

It was a time of musical, physical, and spiritual metamorphosis for Dolly, who was a self-proclaimed butterfly in spirit. Butterflies remind me of myself, she told the press, explaining why shed chosen them as her insignia. They dont bother anybody, they just go about their business, gentle but determined. In 1975, a gentle Dolly had been easily upset by cruel and humiliating jokes about her voluptuous figure. It embarrasses me and it hurts my feelings, she said. But by 1977, a determined Dolly emerged. A new Dolly. One that seemed almost at ease bantering with Johnny Carson when he inquired about her zaftig on The Tonight Show:

Carson: What would they call that where you grew up in Tennessee?

Dolly: I cant say!

Carson: Healthy?

Dolly: Healthy, I guess... bosomy. Well, Ive always been pretty well blessed. People are always askin if theyre real and this and that.

Carson: Oh, I would never... I would never, you see!

Dolly: No, you dont have to ask.

Carson: I would never.

Dolly: Ill tell you what... these are mine.

Carson: