(Cover photo by Michael Ochs)

Dolly Parton died today. She was 80 years old. The music world has ground to a halt. As it should.

Even I had to pause for a bit out of pure respect. I recognize Dolly for what she was and is: a true icon. I get what she meant to the world, and that must be recognized.

Here’s the thing: given the length of her career, I know precious little about Dolly’s music. I’m not a big Country music fan (except for Johnny Cash, who transcended the genre), so I haven’t heard a lot of what she’s done. What I know might fit on one side of an LP.

Of course I’ve heard “9 to 5,” and saw the movie. That’s not saying much. Everyone has heard that tune. And I loved “Jolene,” and dig what Beyoncé did with it. When I found out she wrote “I Will Always Love You” after hearing Whitney Houston sing it (very well) about a thousand times, I had to go back to the source. I’m glad I did.

But that’s not the Dolly I’ll miss.

Any time I saw her, she was incredibly extroverted. She was brash, she was funny, she was self-deprecating, and most of all, she was the sincere. If she said it, she meant it.

But what I really respected was Dolly’s humanity. I’ve never had the desire to go to Dollywood. But based on what I’ve heard about her, she was incredibly welcoming to anyone that wanted to visit. My money says if she could’ve hugged every visitor, she would have.

Dolly started and maintained a literacy program for children where all were welcome. She helped to elevate those who were disadvantaged by making books available for free. You don’t hear that kind of thing from celebrities very often. Something tells me she would’ve been there for those kids whether her name was on it or not.

But here’s what I love most about Dolly. She was outspoken in her support for all people, regardless of who or what they were. The primary demographic of Country fans tends to skew to the right. There’s no getting around that. But when it came to LGBTQ rights, Dolly accepted and supported people at face value, period.^ This infuriated a chunk of her fans and the politicians they support. Dolly stood her ground.

When keyboard warriors went online and sought to insult and boycott Dolly, her fans kicked into gear. One of them posted, “They’re coming after Dolly! We ride at dawn!” After I stopped laughing, I knew good and well I was gonna ride with them.

Dolly’s music rarely had my ear. But Dolly as a person had and has my undying respect. Let’s call this woman what she truly is and will remain forever:

Dolly Parton is a National Treasure.

^ For the record, I am not gay, bi, or trans, but some of my friends are. I tell them at any appropriate opportunity that they have my love and undying support.

#cirdecsongs

If you would like to have your music reviewed, contact me at cirdecsongs@gmail.com