Listen to Dolly speak about her legacy
Listen to Dolly speak about the Festival of Nations
PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. – Dolly Parton strayed from one subject to the next during a news conference on opening weekend at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge.
Take a listen:
ON PORTER WAGONER …
Dolly Parton paid special tribute to the late Porter Wagoner last weekend with concerts during grand opening ceremonies at Pigeon Forge.
“Porter, of course, was the person who gave me my first big break, back in the mid-’60s, on his syndicated television shows,” Parton said.
Wagoner and Parton collaborated on such duets as “Holding on to Nothin’.”
“We had a lot of great duets together,” Parton said. “We traveled millions of miles together over the course of the seven years we worked together. And, of course, Porter had a wonderful ear for great songs.”
ON “AMERICAN IDOL” …
It took years. But, finally, Dolly Parton agreed to perform on “American Idol.”
And you know what?
“I was very honored to be part of that show,” Parton said.
Parton helped coach contestants on the April 2 episode. She also promoted her latest album, “Backwoods Barbie,” and a new single, “Jesus and Gravity.”
“They’ve been asking me to be on ever since they started,” Parton said. “And I never really wanted to be on, because I didn’t want to have to judge people, because I’m not like Simon (Cowell). I can’t just hurt somebody’s feelings.”
ON DOLLYWOOD ….
Now marching into its 23rd season at the edge of the Great Smoky Mountains, Dollywood grew from a dream of Dolly Parton, a singer who grew up in Sevier County, Tenn.
“When I was young,” Parton said, “I thought if I ever had the opportunity to do something great in my hometown, if I was fortunate enough to be successful, that I would like to have something like a theme park – to not only employ my family but the folks in the area.”
Today, that theme park – and its adjacent water park – draws about 3 million visitors a year, Parton said.
The park’s name comes from an obvious derivation, Parton added.
“I got the name by going to Hollywood through the years, looking up at the Hollywood sign and seeing that and thinking, ‘That would be a great name for a park.’ You know, just replace the D with an H.”
HER LEGACY ….
Dolly Parton is known for both Nashville glitz and Hollywood glamour.
But how would she like to be remembered in the music history books?
“Of course, my music has always been my number one love,” Parton said. “It was a song that brought me out of the Smoky Mountains – and a dream. And it’s been a song that’s kind of sponsored and furthered every dream I’ve had. So I’d like to, first of all, be known as a songwriter and an entertainer and a singer that didn’t just sit around and spend all the money on myself but tried to give back.”
Parton specifically cited her Imagination Library, a program that gives books to schoolchildren.
“I’d like them to say, ‘There’s a girl who not only wanted to take but also wanted to give,’” Parton said. “So it’s been a great give and take throughout my whole career. And I’m very grateful for all of it.”
jtennis@bristolnews.com | (276) 791-0704
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