If there is any institution that is truly fitting to pay tribute to Dolly Parton, it's the Grand Ole Opry. The hub of country music for generations will host a concert in honor of the "Coat of Many Colors" singer on Saturday, August 29, at 7:00 p.m. CT.
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Per the Opry web site, Parton first stepped onto that hallowed stage in 1959 when she was just 13. She was introduced by the iconic Man in Black himself, Johnny Cash. Actually, the teenage Parton was accorded three encores. Even at such a young age, she knew exactly how to captivate and command an audience. It was a skill she refined over the years and never relinquished.
It would be just the beginning of a legendary career like no other. Furthermore, Parton was formally welcomed into the Opry as a member in 1969. She quipped, "For me, the Opry is like the song 'New York, New York.' If you can make it there, you can make it anywhere."
The Special Concert in Parton's Honor
Dolly Parton will be honored in song by these artists. They include "Carly Pearce, Channing Wilson, Belle Frantz, Kathy Mattea, Molly Tuttle, Dan Tyminski, T. Graham Brown, and Opry Square Dancers," per the Opry.
Find out more about how to watch and listen here. Per Country Rebel, it will also be available for listening on Willie's Roadhouse channel on SiriusXM and WSM Radio (650 AM WSM).
Consider Donating to Dolly Parton's Imagination Library
One cause that Parton supported wholeheartedly was helping kids to read and giving them wonderful books they loved. Her Imagination Library did just that. According to Country Rebel, Dolly Parton supplied more than 300 million free books to youngsters globally. In fact, rather than sending flowers, her family asks that people think about donating to the Imagination Library in Parton's memory. Visit its web site here.
Dolly Parton said, "When I was growing up in the hills of East Tennessee, I knew my dreams would come true. I know there are children in your community with their own dreams. They dream of becoming a doctor or an inventor or a minister. Who knows, maybe there is a little girl whose dream is to be a writer and singer. The seeds of these dreams are often found in books and the seeds you help plant in your community can grow across the world."
The Outpouring of Fan Support for Their Late Beloved Idol
According to the Imagination Library, which invites people to share their thoughts about Dolly Parton online, there has been a torrent of responses. As of the afternoon of Friday, August 28, fans from 93 countries have written in. Letters received number 28,246. And a total of 1,834,147 words have been penned. If you can quantify love, those numbers are an excellent indication.
