An Open Apology To Dolly Parton
Dear Dolly,
I’ll be honest. I used to think you were a bimbo. I used to think you flaunted your big boobs, teased hair, tiny waist, and your syrupy-sweet southern accent to sell yourself and your brand as a country singer. Granted, I was raised in the Midwest and lived as an adult for many years in the Northeast. I didn’t get you, much less the South.
For example, I’d heard about your origins as a poor girl from the hills of East Tennessee, and when I learned you’d created a theme park in your native Sevier County I rolled my eyes. “Really, a theme park?” I thought. “As if rollercoasters will really help the people of rural Appalachia. Why not create something truly useful to give back to your community, like a library.”
Oh.
You have created a library, actually, and possibly in a bigger and more magical way than any brick structure filled with books could. And this is where my understanding of who you are really began to shift.
When I moved to Knoxville eight years ago I received a welcome letter from “Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.” It informed me that Dolly’s vision was to foster a love of reading among preschool children by mailing a specially selected book each month directly to any child under the age of 5. You had expanded it from Sevier County to my county, and if I had a preschool age child, it said, all I needed to do was sign her up and she would begin receiving books each month.
My daughter was not quite two then, and I can still see how her face lit up each time we pulled a book addressed to her out the mailbox every month. Several of them became her early childhood favorites, and are stored away should she have children of her own some day.
As a writer and editor, I’m a book hound and made sure my daughter has been exposed to reading at every turn. But you know better than anyone that not all kids have that privilege. I can’t imagine what a magical gift receiving a book every month must be for kids whose parents can’t afford to buy them or who don’t have easy access to a library. I quickly came to see the genius of your Imagination Library literacy program, and how you were making a difference in so many ways I never realized.
Your father was illiterate, which fueled your literacy passion. Now the Dolly Parton Imagination Library just surpassed gifting one million books to participating children around the world each month. To celebrate, your Dollywood Foundation randomly selected one of those children to receive a $30,000 college scholarship. Two-year-old Evey, from Conway, Arkansas, has no idea yet how fortunate she is, but her parents surely do.
But what finally brings me to this overdue apology is how I’ve seen you respond to the devastating wildfires that swept through your hometown communities of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. At least 14 vibrant lives were taken tragically too soon, and thousands of buildings and homes were damaged or destroyed.
You made a public statement saying that you were heartbroken, while also expressing deep gratitude to the firefighters who protected Dollywood and evacuated everyone staying there to safety. Dollywood is the place I once dismissed, but now know is the largest employer in Sevier County and is the largest ticketed tourist attraction in Tennessee, hosting over 3 million guests a season. East Tennessee will count on that tourism to rebuild.
With the humble generosity and graciousness I’m learning is signature Dolly Parton, you’re not only planning a telethon to raise funds for the fire victims, but you’ve also created the My People Fund to provide, as you say, a “hand up to all those families who have lost everything in the fires.”
Those struggling families—and there are hundreds of them—will receive, thanks to you, $1,000 a month for 6 months. Countless stories detail how these families escaped with literally minutes to spare, and with nothing but the clothes they were wearing. And with each story, there’s a strong undercurrent of hope about how strangers helped one another and how this region is “mountain strong.” Your generosity both reflects and inspires this region’s spirit and resiliency.
Tonight, my daughter, who is now 9 and also loves to sing and act, has been using face paint to dress up as one of the DC comic heroines she and her friends admire. When she finished, she asked, “Hmmm, what other Superhero girl do I admire?”
I sat down next to her and said, “Let me tell you about Dolly.” In fact, I hope to take her to a Christmas show at Dollywood during this season of gratitude, and I’ll be making a donation to your My People Fund. I can’t imagine a more inspiring place to be, or a better way to support an amazing example of what it looks like to make the world a stronger place, starting with your own sweet community.
Dolly, I’m sorry I didn’t get you sooner—and I thank you for all you are, and all that you do.
Your biggest new fan,
Amy Rawe
_____
Read a Q&A with Amy about this post: An “Open Apology” Gone Viral
WBIR interview: Writer publishes heartfelt apology, thank you to Dolly Parton
Rawe-struck 
I have always been a fan of Dolly Parton, my mom loved, my mom was a country music girl! I think Dolly is a true inspiration of all of us should be!
God Bless you Dolly Parton for who you are and what you do. You bring not only Music to the world, but you share your prosperity with many who are less fortunate than you. I live in West TN and am proud you are a fellow Tennessean. You have not only given many persons in East TN a job, but for some an opportunity to cultivate their God given talents, such as singing, dancing, playing instruments, putting on a show, making scene sets, making costumes and many other jobs that they enjoy and can make a living doing.
You not only employ tens of thousands of persons in Dollywood, Dixie Stampede, and now The Lumberjack Show in Pigeon Forge. There are persons who are cooks, maintenance and cleaning personal,plumbers, carpenters, electricians,grounds keepers, landscapers,waiters and waitresses, and the list goes on and on.
You also bring in people to host a week long Craftsmen’s Fair, a BlueGrass Festival and a Gospel Festival, which give more people jobs and opportunities to expand their wares and talents. It also introduces many people to things they might not otherwise have the opportunity to be involved and/or enjoy.
I have visited all the entertainment venues listed in Pigeon Forge and also Dixie Stampede in Branson, MO. All are Class Act Entertainment and Eating Establishments. I have attended some of your concerts and they are always Family Oriented. You have a wonderful God-given talent of singing and writing songs, and certainly are a wonderful entertainer. You are truly an inspiration and your kindness to your fellow men and women is outstanding. Thank you for being a true Christian example of helping not only those in Sevier County but the world. I am a True Fan not only for you as an entertainer, but for you as a wonderful Human Being. Sincerely, Janelle Cole
Just saw her in concert(review on my blog of it)..what a honest sincere feeling I got from Dolly during her show
What a beautiful letter! I am sure Dolly appreciates it too she is a great person. I’ve never heard her say anything bad about anyone or complain about anything. I’d LOVE to go to Dollywood to see her childhood home and the area in general. Dolly has done a lot for that area with her theme park and she is giving back by what she is doing for the fire victims. God Bless Dolly!!!! My prayers are with the victims of the fires.
I have been a few times. It is a great experience. I have also been to the show The Dixie Stampede. It is also owned by Dolly and worthy the money. It is a dinner show. She has one in Gatlinburg and one in Branson Missouri.
Have all ways loved Dolly!!!!!
Thank for all you do Dolly.
She’s the best ever
I love Dolly Parton. Dolly has never forgotten where she came from. If you told me I could meet any living person in the world, it would be “Dolly Parton”. She is the real deal!!!
When I heard about those fires my very first thought was, “Dolly will do something.” I didn’t know what, but I knew it would happen. That is who Dolly is. Love you, Dolly.
She always has been a down home girl. Thank you Mrs. Parton.
It has always been a dream of mine to visit Dollywood. I have always loved Dolly and thought she was the most talented woman and bright business woman. Now to hear about her Imagination Library, I’m just blown away. What a great idea! I will be donating as well. My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone whose lives were destroyed by the fires.
If you could have seen what Pigeon Forge and the surrounding area looked like in the early 70’s, you would know exactly what Dolly did for her people. I remember coming over the mountain from Cherokee where I worked on the drama each summer, to a struggling Gatlinburg, and a four-corner little village with a mill and no employment. She have been faithful to her roots and I am so glad she is being more widely appreciated. Thank you for you fine words about an fine woman.
Evidently, you didn’t read or understand his letter completely…
I stopped reading at “as a writer and editor” since it is obvious you are a LIAR.
Something you should have known all along. Dolly is the real deal!
Years ago we took our two of three sons to Dollywood. Our one son was a special needs child. OF all the vacations we took over the years with our 3 sons Dollywood was the ONLY place that EVER made an exception for him and never charged him or the person pushing his wheel chair admission to her park. I have never forgotten that and have always made mention of it when I could. WE lost our SPECIAL son last year but the memory that she gave us will never go away…..THANK YOU !!!!
Quiet heros in our land. A beautiful soul. Well written.
Dolly has done more for her town and community than any body I know has ever done. The giving just keeps on. And she helps her town in providing so much employment. Tennessee folks love dolly. There is not any better than our gal Dolly
Dolly branded herself with her wigs, big boobs, beautiful voice & figure. Not so different than Madonna, Cher etc… Difference is Dolly truly has a heart of gold and has stayed true to her roots. Love you Dolly!
I still see Dolly in my mind when she was on the Porter Wagner TV show. I have always loved that little giggle she has, as I am sure all know so well. One great singer and actress, and I think a sweet lady with a big heart.
Amy Rawe, I want to give you praise for your article and for giving the recognition to Dolly. It made me tear up. I am sure you are not alone in how you perceived her. I am pretty sure there are others out there that feel the way you did and probably always will. But I truly believe Dolly will be very touched by your article. God Bless you and your family this Holiday Season!!
Reblogged this on Behind The Pages and commented:
There is not much I can add to this post – other than I’ve always loved Dolly and this blog post just shows us more reasons to do so!!
I am from The South & I have always loved Dolly… I believe what you see is what you get. She is not afraid to voice her opinion or white-wash anything she says. She is genuinely a good person. I have never been surprised at the things she has done for others… that’s Dolly. I’m glad you got to “know” who she is too. 😉
Not everyone is always right. Being able to apologize is a quality I really admire in someone, well done.
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She has been one of my favorite Southern Country singers for a long time, and I’m not even American. I don’t know if you’ve heard her sing Smoky Mountain Memories (live version) where she thanks her folks and asks them to stand up and show themselves to the crowd…. It was a very cute, loving gesture. When I read about how she battled with her busty image, how she hated it because people would treat her like a bimbette, and how she had to undergo breast reduction surgery because of the backaches it gave her, I realized that she truly was a very simple woman. I’m glad you’ve joined the side that likes this petite Southern lady. Nice post
I have always loved you Dolly. I have lots of your CD’s. But I am moved by the fact you choose to do all you can for your community & young children. Thank you!
Ive always loved Dolly, her music, and her honest, down home attitude. Her theme park is a whole lot of fun. It depicks the Tennessee heritage. My Aunt Emma and i had a wonderful time there.
My grand daughter loves Dolly Parton she love Pigeon Forge TN.She plays Dolly’s music all the time she even wants me to make her a coat of many colors and I’m going to do it.Dolly has always seem to me to be the real deal and had never forgotten where she came from.I hope one-day my grand daughter Brittney can meet her in person.I pray for all the people that was affected by the fire.My grand daughter cried about it and we live in GEORGIA but my Britt loves the mountains and Dolly that much.I thank Dolly for what she is doing for all the people that was affected in terrible act of violence.Dolly we from Georgia love you very much God Bless you for what you do for your people.
Not only is Dolly and her Dollywood special, but it is also a home to about 100 raptors at the American Eagle Foundation, and is the home of Challenger, the eagle that flies at Baseball games in summer. They do incredible work with the birds there, and have eagles and other birds of prey that cannot be released, but have permits to breed or to raise young as foster parents. Once raised, these young are released into the wild to live their lives flying high and free. Al Cacere heads the AEF at Dollywood. He is a great guy, and he and his staff rescued all the raptors during the fires. Their work, like that of Dolly’s, is meaningful and tireless.
I haved loved you my hole life you are the grearest
I have always loved Dolly and have followed her career she has a God given talent and has always given back as she is now .God bless you Dolly
Dolly has always and forever been a class act!!
She is a generous, kind and so giving!! She never, ever does not give!!
She gives to family, friends, the needy and her family!! She is the most giving Specual women! I love you Dolly and thank you for always being so kind and giving to people in need. You are a Angel!!
Thank you Dolly for all you do to help others in need God Bless You !
I met Dolly when she was filming with Sylvester Stallon back in 1984, “Rhinestone” – she was the most down to earth person I have ever met. Stallon not as much, but Dolly made sure she shook everyone’s hand of who was watching the scene, I’m not a country music fan, but I am a Dolly fan, love you Dolly – you are a Hero
You impress the hell out of me. And, as a result of reading your post, so does Dolly Parton. You and I shared at least a little of the same attitudes about her. I’m so very glad to have learned what you taught me. And I’m pleased that I’m not alone in becoming just a bit of a better person by accepting new knowledge to improve me.
I’ve been to Dollywood and love it and the spirit that is there. Its another thing great about Dolly, I just love her and always will. She just keeps on surprising me at all the things she does and is about. What a wonderful, beautiful lady! I’ve loved her ever since I was a baby and I’m 56 years old now! GOD BLESS YOU DOLLY!
Just a side note, creating a theme park is, in fact giving back to the community on many levels. While it’s fabulous she also has a literacy program, dismissing a theme park is shortsighted. What about the number of jobs created and the tourist dollars brought into the community? I was raised in a library and truly love a library but I promise you dollar wise a theme park gives back to the community in a much larger way. I may have missed your coming around on that one but, yeah, it IS giving back to the community.
Just some facts I found on how the park alone gives back:
“Dollywood has 3,000 people on its payroll, making it the largest employer in that community”. From the ticket taker to the grounds workers.
“Hosting over 3 million guests in a typical season—Presidents’ Day to the Christmas holidays—Dollywood is the biggest “ticketed” tourist attraction in Tennessee”. Between salaries and tourist dollars the theme park certainly plays a large role in the economy of that area. Imagine, the grounds worker whose child gets to go to college because he has a job or the McDonald’s worker who can feed his family because Dollywood guests stop there on their way out of town. So long before she offered up money for fire victims and before folks figured out she had a literacy program the small woman with big boobs and bigger hair has been doing more for that area of TN than a whole lot of folks.
“Doc”, read the rest of the original post and you will see that the author makes the same point. Classic “redemption” post–“I was wrong, but have been straightened out”
In my book Dolly has always been one of the great ones!! Not many can si g with no accompaniment. She is awesome! Love you Dolly Parton!
Thanks for posting the blog and the hundreds of “amens” in the comments. I have always loved, respected and admired her. I never detected any insincerity and she is a true joy to see in concert! Hurray for Dollywood!
So well written about this special American. My husband and I have visited that area of TN, especially Cade’s Cove, each year for 35+ years. We have always been impressed with Dolly’s love for the people of the area (and all people) and vice versa. It’s never been a boastful or prideful feeling, but instead a quiet and respectful, “I got your back” kind of thing. Thankyou Amy for telling those who didn’t know. It’s great to know of something so great is being done without personal gain in this day and age. Thank you Dolly for being you. If I’m lucky, one of these days I’m going to meet you!
Wonderful tribute to a wonderful lady! God bless you & her!
What an amazing apology, I like you was aware of Dolly, seeing her on the Porter Wagner Show and countless country music shows and awards shows. My partner grew up in a divorced home, where is found solice in a simple little song Dolly wrote called “Apple Jack”. When he saw that Dolly was doing a tour called “Simple and Pure” he was overwhelmed and said we have to go see her, I was like fine, not that excited about it, but supportive if he wanted to go. I have to say after that concert I was truly moved, I felt like I had , had a 1 on 1 experience with Dolly, I felt like she sang directilly to me, like I was sitting in her living room and she did a mini little concert while I visited her, in her home, and when she sang “Apple Jack” I just sat down and cried, to see my partner mesmerized by Dolly singing his favorite, yet simple song, moved me to tears. I am proud to say today , I GET DOLLY, she has an amazing heart, and she has pushed through to be a bigger and better human being, to give back to mankind in so many ways. I will NEVER FORGET the way she made a crowd of over 20,000 people feel like she was doing a 1 man show for each and every person as though they were the only person that showed up for the show. THANK YOU DOLLY , YOU ARE LOVED
I have always loved Dolly’s amazing voice and talented lyrics, acting, well, everything about her! As a young child, I, too, thought she was just another country singer–obviously an enormous error in judgment! (Even though I loved her voice–which I said had ‘strings’ playing in it.)
I admire what she’s done for her community, and for women, in general, demonstrating that we can be both: beautiful and smart and strong.
Most of all, however, she gave me a gift she never even knew about: I took my mother to see her at Cleveland’s Playhouse Square some years ago. My mother was utterly committed to classical music and Gershwin, but she loved Dolly’s voice and lyrics. (To which I introduced her.)
We lost my mom four years ago. That evening gave me one of the best mother-daughter memories I have. Dolly’s sweetness and sincerity toward her audience absolutely shined through.
My mother was a teacher and professor of languages, she would have loved to read about the literacy/book program Dolly established; what an amazing person ‘of many colors’…
And I will always love Dolly for that.
Have always been in awe of her genuine ability to see the good in everything and everyone. Have always loved her music . She a presence of light in a sometimes dark world. Thanks for writing and giving us an opportunity to add our thought as well.
Amy Rawe…NEVER underestimate the power of a petite blonde country girl from the hills of Tennessee with a heart the size of Texas. We Southern males are so fortunate to have Southern females like Dolly. She is a state and a national treasure. Thanks for all you do Dolly. You really are a special lady !
“Man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks upon the heart.” That is the reason God tells women to dress modest.
I Love Dolly always have, always will! No other could fill her shoes even if they tried! She is real and she is Dolly! Thank you for having a heart and sharing with others what God has truly blessed you with for a lot of years.
Old adage you can’t judge a book by it’s cover. Having recently moved from a major metropolitan area to the Ozarks, (culture shock) the first thing I thought when reading this is “of course the people of the Appalachians don’t need rollercoasters, they need jobs!” A theme park is exactly what they needed. Not only is the park a major employer, but the surrounding business also benefit from tourism! Something to keep in mind when we plan our next trip to a major theme park; one doesn’t have to be wealthy to help others, a little consideration goes a long way. Thank you Dolly for all your kindness and generosity. And perhaps just as important, thank you for leading by example. It’s my hope that those who can spare the most, will. Maybe Dolly will inspire other celebs to have the courage and generosity to step up when their time comes. And I don’t mean yet another song about how “heartfelt” celebs are. Great read, thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Dolly’s cousins and their pastor father used to grace the congregation at my FIRST church, Delmont UMC, in Maryland each with country, really mountain, gospel music every spring. Our organist was from Sevierville, TN, and one of her workmates was of that branch of the Parton Family. We L-O-V-E-D them!!!
One year a local blue grass group (a member was in my church) serenaded the Parton Family as we had a fellowship picnic after worship. One of the Parton men told me that no one at any church they ever visited had fed them food
AND music before.
My spouse and I moved home to Texas in 1995, and we have never experienced the Parton Family again, but we have the greatest and most grateful memory of them. We pray that none of them was harmed in the Seviere County fire!!! Dolly’s cut from the same cloth!
It is sad that people have to do things to make people like or accept them! Dolly Parton is the same loving person, whether she did goods deeds for others or not. We could all learn to be loving and accepting if we werent so critical.