Dolly Parton was blunt —to put it nicely— when asked how she'd react if someone told her to tone down her iconic yet over-the-top fashion sense.
"I'd say, 'Go to hell. I ain't doing it'," she told Apple Music's Kelleigh Bannen on the debut episode of What Would Dolly Do? Radio. "My true belief with most things, you've got to really find out who you are, what makes you happy, what you're comfortable in, and if you feel like you look your best, according to your rules, then you are going to do your best. I really believe that. And I think everybody has their own little things they love. To me, that is what fashion is."
In addition to answering "What would Dolly do?" in that circumstance, Parton gave an example of such early-career feedback from a fellow member of country and rock's halls of fame.
"One of my dear friends and one of the most beloved people in the whole business was Chet Atkins... he was running RCA at the time," Parton said. "And he pulled me over to the side because he really liked me. He said, 'Dolly, I really don't believe that people are going to take you serious as a singer and songwriter unless you tone down your look. You're a right pretty girl. You don't need all that.' And I said, 'Well, okay, I'll take that to heart, Mr. Atkins. Thank you for your advice.' And of course, I just got worse with it. And years later, after I became a star, he sidled up beside me and said, 'Now, ain't you glad you listened to my good advice?'"
A four-part series, What Would Dolly Do? Radio, debuted on Oct. 25 on Apple Music 1. Per a press release, "In episode 2, Dolly talks business, from stage to screen, and more, while the third episode explores her philanthropic endeavors and the importance of giving back. On the last episode, Dolly talks about entering her rock 'n' roll era with [her forthcoming album] 'Rockstar'."
