Dolly Parton

She's amazing. Self-made and she knows her brand. She absolutely knows what she's doing and she's got so so much money and spends it charitable ways.

I am the first to admit I type in haste and dont alwasy make sense, but for those who have quote some of the things I wrote, it is me talking about how the mass media, both "qualilty" (ha ha) and tabloid, as well as tv and radio have talked about Dolly Parton.

It's like all those tv music critics Lmale) who think its only authentic to be grungy or heavy metal or whatever, when the charts are full of love songs and ones about sausage rolls!

So part of what is so admirable about it is she has stuck to her sense of what is important music, and not let the people who sneer deter her.

So as i said before its not just about sexism but class as well.

On another note I was very concerned to see her wearing what looked like support mittens. I hope she hasn't got problems such as arthritis or something. Or maybe she is going to start a new fashion trend.

BacktoMA I once got very excited because I discovered a colleague on night shift was listening to KM through her headphones. It was like sharing a really cool secret.

There’s a brilliant abd very feminist episode of the Orville featuring 9-to-5.

@FloralFestiveBunting Golden Hour is my favourite album of all time, EVER. Kacey Musgraves is a genius, I was so thrilled she won the Grammy for it. I couldn't even guess how many times I've listened to it this year! No one I know personally knows anything about her!

I like her a lot. The documentary was perfect Christmas Day evening viewing!

Oh, I'm glad someone mentioned Kacey Musgraves, I know somewhat more of her music, and it's very antithetical to a lot of the ethos you expect from the Country genre. It's brilliant stuff, I think. I think Country is is really interesting genre overall, much maligned and rather more subversive than the reputation suggests. I really enjoy Eric Church, too, and my favourite thing about Country is the willingness to collaborate - with other Country artists, but also outside the genre.

By the way, for those who were asking, the doc is on Iplayer and is called Here I Am (at least I assume thats the one people are talking about!)

She has sent 850,000 kids a book every month

She knows that reading as a kid can free your mind and set you thinking and once you get tha5 habit it never leaves you

So many layers

I wonder also if one of the reasons so many people dont take her seriously

Lol, don’t take her seriously?

Parton is one of the most-honored female country performers of all time. Parton's music includes 25 Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA)-certified gold, platinum and multi-platinum awards. She has had 25 songs reach No. 1 on the Billboard country music charts, a record for a female artist (tied with Reba McEntire). She has 41 career top-10 country albums, a record for any artist, and she has 110 career charted singles over the past 40 years. She has garnered nine Grammy Awards, two Academy Award nominations, ten Country Music Association Awards, seven Academy of Country Music Awards, three American Music Awards, and is one of only seven female artists to win the Country Music Association's Entertainer of the Year Award.

Parton has received 47 Grammy nominations.

In 1999, Parton was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

This was followed by induction into the National Academy of Popular Music/Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2001.

For her work in literacy, Parton has received various awards, including: Association of American Publishers Honors Award 2000.

On May 8, 2009, Parton gave the commencement speech at the graduation ceremony for the University of Tennessee, Knoxville's College of Arts and Sciences. During the ceremony, she received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from the university. It was only the second honorary degree given by the university, and in presenting the degree, the university's Chancellor, Jimmy G. Cheek, said, "Because of her career not just as a musician and entertainer, but for her role as a cultural ambassador, philanthropist and lifelong advocate for education, it is fitting that she be honored with an honorary degree from the flagship educational institution of her home state."

Oh I was dreading opening this thread in case it was something bad as I love her and am off to Dollywood next year!!!

Can't wait to watch the documentary now.

For instance if Joan Baez sang her songs everyone would listen intently and discuss in hushed tones

I am pretty sure she used to sing Jolene - that is where I first knew it from (disclaimer - I was probably very young at the time.)

I imagine Dolly Parton has never had as short a working day as 9-5 in her life. It was written for a film and shows a great ability to out herself in other people's shoes as I doubt she's ever been a secretary either. I know very little about her but what I know I love.

Another good quote: 'people call me a dumb blonde, but I'm not dumb and I'm not blonde'

Also check out the song Just because I'm a woman, she might not openly identify as a feminist, but she's a feminist icon.

I suppose Travellin' Thru is the trickier project to reconcile with, but even though I am GC I love that she does embody a love all attitude considering the conservative background she is from and the staunchly conservative part of her fan base will be. Kacey Musgraves is very similar in that regard.

Hugely talented, employed/employs a persona that the boys like, is philanthropic and seems a really good person. Hats off Dolly ❤️

The commentariat!

ie for years she would be ridiculed in the media. Okay for her to be a gay icon, but for anyone to think there was more to her than her image was just dismissed.

But as you say, millions who did / do identify with her she has always been admired.

It really is only recently that she isn't sniggered about in media commentary. Ironically over here I think it was the books for children project.

This is why I think partly for her its not just sexism but classism. (not forgetting some on this thread who have totally dismissed her)

I dont think of her as a feminist, but someone who stand up for women's rights, in her own way.

And in regards to 9-5 as with most successful performers she didn't start making money over night, she worked many jobs in Nashville in the early days while working her way up in show business.

Oh I was so nervous to see Dolly's name here and prayed it was in positivity ha, LOVE her, she's on my "who would you dine with dead or alive with"! There was another series recently on sky arts, 6 episodes looking at 6 of her songs in more detail can't remember what it was called but sure a search would catch it. Planning on going to Dollywood one day.

I wonder also if one of the reasons so many people dont take her seriuosly is not only the image, but that they also see her as working class (white trash) and the cliche is that somehow they are all uneducated / stupid people

Who are these many people who don't take her seriously? As opposed to the millions of people who buy her records and attend her concerts and of course the many, many music industry insiders, performing musicians, song writers, producers who take her very seriously indeed.

I really admire her talent and her business acumen- she had the foresight to hang onto the rights to her songs and thus made a fortune. She is not a feminist though. She is very clear on that!

I have always prefered to listen to Dolly Parton rather than watch her because I find her stage persona really upsetting.

I accept everything she has said about how she decided to present herself in what was and still is a horribly sexist industry (have over the years seen at least 3 documentaries about her and this was the least revealing).

And even wondered if she continues with it because she feels it indentifies her with the people she most wants to connect with and tell stories about. ie people like herself who had such a hard start in life.

But part of me has always hoped that as she got older and more accepted, and with Country music being a bit more positive and women, that she could relax more. Its not just the sex siren image, but she is in her 70s now, and with her wonderful voice and amazing lyrics, you would hope she could still perform her music without having to perform herself.

For me it creates barrier which is why I usually avoid watching her.

But she is obviously a hard worker, and has done amazing things with her money, not just for her family, and the local area, but the gift of books to schools. She had on occasions visited the UK just to help promote this.

I wonder also if one of the reasons so many people dont take her seriuosly is not only the image, but that they also see her as working class (white trash) and the cliche is that somehow they are all uneducated / stupid people.

For instance if Joan Baez sang her songs everyone would listen intently and discuss in hushed tones.

In fact if I knew how to get in touch with either of them I would suggest it as a project!

But on the other hand love the idea suggested up thread, that without her wig and punishing corsetry, she can just slip out into the public and not be noticed!

PS because I had seen other documentaries I was aware of the hidden husband and all the rumours, and I stress rumours, that it is all a cover for her lesbian relationship/s.