Since the moment the news broke that the great Dolly Parton had died, we have been inundated with all manner of Feelings. The internet is flooded with tributes to Dolly by people from all walks of life, who knew her personally or only from afar. There seems no end to the sharing of stories and thoughts about her, and in what feels like a miracle in this divided world, it has only been positive. Even on social media, where people tear down nice things like it’s their full-time job, I’ve seen nothing but adoration. She is not only beloved for her musical genius, but also for her generosity, her sense of humour, her support for other artists, her active care for marginalised communities, her attitude to living, her truly kind spirit.
I am one of these enthusiasts, of course. I have loved Dolly since I was a kid. I remember going to the Nashville country music museum in my 20s and seeing her handwritten lyrics for Jolene. A shiver went down my spine at the thought of 27-year-old Dolly writing that song, not knowing how far she would go, and the great good she would do for the world.
