Goodbye Dolly.

   In August of this year, we lost a national treasure. If you have been on the Cultural Skeptic journey for very long, you’ll know I don’t participate in fan culture or celebrity worship. 

   But on occasion there is someone truly remarkable. That person is Dolly Parton and sadly, we lost her on August 25. 

   I hesitated to write about her since there have been so many already weighing in, but her impact on so many demands a post in her honor. 

From Poverty To Nashville

   Dolly was the fourth of twelve children, born and raised in a one room cabin in Tennessee. 

   She was born to a musical family and wrote her first song at five years old and made a radio appearance at ten. 

   Dolly first appeared on the Grand Ole Opry at thirteen years old, introduced by none other than the great Johnny Cash. 

   Some people are blessed by not having to struggle over the decision of a career path. Dolly is one of those. It was clear she was destined for music. 

   She wasted no time with indecision or procrastination. Dolly moved to Nashville the day after high school graduation. 

   She met Carl Dean on her first day in Nashville. They later would be married for fifty nine years.

   There are many accolades she collected over her life, like being inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as well. Dolly starred in several movies and won multiple Grammy awards.

Fame Without Losing Herself

   While those things are certainly impressive and unsurpassed by most artists, her uniqueness goes beyond her accomplishments. 

   Dolly Parton achieved a height of fame that few others have. Even if a person is not a Country music fan, they have heard of Dolly, and are familiar with the hair and look. 

   It’s a rare person who would say, ‘Dolly Parton? Never heard of her!’

   Dolly was an integral part of the American experience, with an undeniable talent that spanned genres as well as decades. 

   She collaborated with over sixty artists, possibly more because of uncredited backup vocals in the early years.

    While the countless career achievements are remarkable, it’s the homegrown, built-in humility that made so many love this woman. 

   I never personally met Dolly, but one can pick up her vibe, that she was the real deal. The notoriety she enjoyed couldn’t erase the authenticity of a person who grew up in poverty and understood hardship and the life lessons they teach.  

The Blessing Hidden In Hardship 

   Wealth is a blessing. 

   But we see from Dolly’s life that poverty can be as well. It’s the hardscrabble beginnings that drove her to work so relentlessly. Growing up in the Smokey Mountains around regular and real people kept her tethered to reality and off the pedestal that most stars find themselves on. 

A Creative Mind With A Head For Business

Dolly possessed a combination we don't always find in the same person: exceptional creative talent and remarkable business instincts. The songwriter who could create I Will Always Love You was also saw opportunities others overlooked.

    Psychologists talk about the two hemispheres of the brain. The left side thinks analytically while the right side is for more emotional and creative functions. 

    Beside the musical talent, she created and took opportunities that most with her background would never have thought of. For example, a theme park located in the Smokies or a foundation to give books to children and encourage literacy.

“If your actions create a legacy that inspires others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, then, you are an excellent leader.” —Dolly Parton 

   The Imagination Library is evidence of love and regard for the people she sprang from. The highest love one can show for others is to elevate their chances of success and abundance. Few things accomplish that more than being able to read and write. The inspiration for the Library came from her father, who was unable to read. The Imagination Library has given over 300 million books.

   One of the other things that elevates is Faith in God, which she also encouraged through her music, like There Was Jesus with Zach Williams. 

   Many of the regular folk from the mountains of Tennessee usually wouldn’t have a vision for grandiose undertakings, but she did. And she made them reality. 

Starting With Nothing Is Not An Excuse

   The other unspoken lesson from Dolly Parton was the encouragement that comes from her humble beginnings. 

   Many successful people begin life with advantages, money, connections or unusual opportunities. Dolly began with remarkably few material advantages. Most had a more affluent origin to life than she did. 

   The example Dolly offers us is that starting out with meager means is no barrier to a dream. 

   She didn’t talk about it. She demonstrated it. 

   Dolly blazed a trail for musicians with her crossover talents and collaborations.

    But she also blazed one for the non-musical. She showed us that our excuses are lame and illegitimate if we will be true to ourselves and ignore the odds. 

A Life Worth Learning From

   Dolly combined positivity and humor with homespun sense for wisdom in one liners like this: 

“If you want the rainbow, you have to put up with the rain.”

“If you don’t like the road you’re walking, start paving another one.” 

“You’ll never do a whole lot unless you’re brave enough to try.”

   And some self deprecating comments as well:

   “I’m not offended by all the dumb blonde jokes because I know I’m not dumb—and I’m not blonde either.”

 “It’s a good thing I was born a girl, otherwise I’d be a drag queen.” 

   Quips like these only come from a person genuine enough to laugh at herself and not trying to be polished but plain spoken and real.   

   You may not have the musical gift to offer to the world but you have something to offer. 

   We all do.   

   Dolly would encourage you to get after it!