Patricia Sargeant

The Indelible Dolly Parton

Dolly Parton died Aug. 25, 2026, from cancer. May her soul rest in peace. She was a businesswoman, a performer, an actor, an author, and a philanthropist. But, of course, her greatest impact on the world was through her songs. This is my modest tribute to a singer/song writer I admire—never past tense—so much. I hope I don’t mess this up.

Photo courtesy of Pixabay

Dolly Parton was clear that her songs were autobiographical or at least semi-autobiographical. “Coat of Many Colors” came from a childhood experience. “I Will Always Love You” was inspired by a professional relationship. “Jolene” was a bit—or two or three bits—massaged from a personal experience. That song has two fun origin stories.

I think Dolly Parton’s ability and willingness to share so much of herself in her music showed her strength. I also believe it was her secret weapon. Dolly Parton allowed her listeners—her fans—to genuinely connect with her. She didn’t just tell us she experienced poverty. She showed us through her lyrics in songs like “In the Good Old Days (When Times were Bad.)” We felt those memories.

Her lyrics formed a connection between her and her fans by sharing with us her authentic self. That’s something I believe storytellers try to do with our books.

Photo courtesy Pixabay

Me: Yes, the reader in the back of the room, waving your hand. What’s your question?

Reader: You write crime fiction. How are you sharing your authentic self through those stories?

Good question. I’ve given this a lot of bandwidth over the decades. Storytellers share their authentic self with readers through themes and emotions that we voice through our characters. We may not have had the same experiences. (Although I have been chased by armed assailants intent on killing me; but that’s a post for another day.) But the emotions we describe—fear, anger, grief, etc.—come from real places. And when we put those real emotions on the page, you feel them too. Our themes—family/found family, good vs. evil, underdogs, etc.—come from our authentic voices. Often they’re themes that resonate with you as well.

Photo courtesy Pixabay

When we convey those themes and emotions through our characters, those characters live with you even after you’ve finished our stories—or we hope they stay with you after the story ends. Like a Dolly Parton song.

Who’s up for a rousing rendition of “9 to 5”? Jump in at the chorus.

Question: Is there a fictional character who’s left a strong impression on you because of the way the author developed him or her? Please also feel free to name a favorite Dolly Parton song.

Patricia Sargeant writes romantic suspense as Patricia Sargeant, cozy mysteries as Olivia Matthews, and contemporary romances as Regina Hart. Her work has been featured in national publications such as Publishers Weekly, USA Today, Suspense Magazine, Mystery Scene Magazine, and Library Journal. But only her family knows how much she admires Dolly Parton.  Claim your free subscription to her monthly enewsletter at PatriciaSargeant.com.

51 thoughts on “The Indelible Dolly Parton”

  1. I’m waiting for the story of the armed assailants! I’m not, I confess, a country music fan, but I’m a HUGE Dolly Parton fan. Since I currently live in Tennessee, this place is saturated with mourning this week. I was a bit taken aback when my granddaughter’s primary school class sang “Jolene” at the school concert, but then I heard it by that grade every year. The music teacher there is a huge fan. When my DIL picked Sarah up from school on Tuesday, Dolly’s songs were being broadcast on the outdoor speakers and, of course, everyone was crying.

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          1. Two. The second time was college. I was with a classmate. We were leaving the library. Midterms. It was maybe 10pm. Three young men chased after us. In fairness, they probably weren’t armed but I was so scared. My classmate fell. Thought I was going to wet my pants right then and there. I went back for her. We went into a Wendy’s and called the police. The police said we should not have been out so late, blaming the victim. 10pm, people. 10pm. The library closed at 11pm.

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          2. That’s two more times being chased then most people get, I think. Glad you made it!! And yes, how awful of the campus cops. Jerks.

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        4. Oh my gosh, how terrifying!!! Smart thinking to run into another store. You must have thwarted the robbery!!! So glad things ended well. Hopefully they caught the evildoers and they are still in jail for scaring you.

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  2. fictional character? Here’s a twist for you. A fictional character who’s a ghost. Jack Sheppard from the Alice Kimberly/Cleo Coyle series. Fabulous!

    Dolly song? I Will Always Love You, written and sung in The Best Little…

    Even though it became a hit via Whitney Houston, I love Dolly singing it. Excuse me people, Whitney’s version is a spin! Dolly is the true artist.

    FYI, Dolly will always have my undying admiration. She was the seed for Ashley being created. I’m thinking of putting a bit about it at the end of the book I’m releasing the beginning of the year!

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    1. Hestia, I think you should put a bit about Dolly Parton being the seed for Ashley at the end of the book. That would be lovely. Here’s an account I had not known. Perhaps you’d heard of this. Long story short, in 1974, Elvis Presley’s manager told Dolly Parton Elvis wanted to cover “I Will Always Love You.” However, the day Elvis Presley was to go to the studio to record the song, his manager called Dolly and said Elvis would not cover the song unless she agreed to their standard contract which would give them 50 percent of her copyright to the song. Dolly declined, stating she had to keep her copyright to protect her family’s future. She wouldn’t budge. She was standing strong for her family. Elvis never covered the song. In 1992, after Whitney Houston covered “I Will Always Love You,” Dolly Parton earned an estimated $10 million due to her owning 100 percent of her copyright. Awesome.

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  3. I recently found out that Dolly was a silent producer on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. So Buffy’s birthday is January 19 because Dolly’s birthday is January 19.

    I had to listen to “9 to 5” recently in Dolly’s honor.

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  4. We have lost a treasure! A great songwriter and singer, with a sense of humor – mostly aimed at herself – that always had me laughing. We can hear/see all those songs and moments now in the past. But we won’t have any news ones. She’ll be greatly missed.

    As to my favorite Dolly song, it’s “9 to 5”. I worked in the corporate world for many years, and she captured it spot-on, with a toe-tapping tune and clever lyrics.

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    1. Oh, my gosh, Debra! I agree with you 1,000 percent that Dolly Parton captured the corporate world perfectly in her song “9 to 5.” “They use your mind and you never get the credit.” (Or something like that.) That spoke to me. Thank you for sharing, Debra!

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  5. Thank you for this beautiful tribute, Patricia. I’ve been a Dolly fan ever since she starred in 9 To 5 (and yes, that’s my favorite song of hers), and became even more of one after I listened to the terrific podcast, Dolly Parton’s America, which I recommend to all of you.

    Seeing the good in people, seeking out our common ground, hard work, generosity, and humor: these are traits that we should all live by. May we all be more like Dolly.

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  6. I am not familiar enough with Dolly’s music to have a favorite song, but I will certainly raise a glass to this truly exceptional lady. I will be at the Appalachian Wordfest in February in Sevierville TN, right next door to Dolly’s hometown of Pigeon Forge. As for characters, it has to be Sherlock Holmes! (Seen my new Holmes book yet? 🙂 )

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  7. Thanks for this, Patricia. I’m not a big country music fan, but LOVE Dolly! I think my favorite song is “Jolene,” and I love how Beyonce covered/transformed it.

    My favorite Dollyism: When asked how she felt about being called a dumb blonde, she responded, “I don’t let it bother me because I know I’m not dumb. . . . And I’m not blonde.”

    (Okay grammar police – blonde or blond?)

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      2. Sorry, copyeditor. “Blonde” refers to women with blond hair, but “blonde” is a noun. Blond is an adjective for either sex used with “hair.” I swear. Ask me how I know.

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          1. Patricia, I realize now I came down way too hard on that poor copyeditor! Sorry, I didn’t mean to sound so rude. As baby editors we were beaten by the copy editing dept (well, almost) if we screwed it up. I think the grammar police have given up on the whole deal now anyway. A good thing!

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  8. I’m constantly inspired by Dolly: her faith, her character, her actions, and her glitz! Before she passed, I just read her Star of the Show: My Life on Stage book, which I highly recommend. I grew up listening to Dolly because my mom really appreciated her songs (she also grew up poor). My favorite song has got to be “Coat of Many Colors.” 💔

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  9. Patricia, what an absolutely perfect post for today.

    When I heard Dolly passed away, I wrote that it felt like the last finger clinging to the ledge of civility slipped off. In a country currently dominated by crass, mean, ugly memes and where cruelty is celebrated, Dolly was currently a unicorn – the single soul who could gently remind us to be our better selves. There’s a reason WWDD is a thing.

    My favorite Dolly song is “My Blue Tears.” If you’ve never listened to the Trio albums she recorded with Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt, run do not walk to listen.

    And Patricia, I join the chorus begging you to tell us the story behind being chased by armed thugs!

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    1. Ellen, thank you for your kind words and your comment. I co-sign everything you stated. Dolly Parton had a beautiful so. I can only pray she continues to inspire us. Regarding my being chased by armed thugs, I shared in my response to Jennifer. She’s such a bully. LOL! Just teasing, Jen.

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  10. I first heard “Jolene” when Paula Cole released her version in the 90’s. Growing up a rock fan, I knew of Dolly, but didn’t know her music. I had no idea Dolly had written “Jolene.” That began the amazing journey of discovery learning what a legendary songwriter Dolly was. What a Legend.

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  11. In all the well deserved praise I’ve been seeing for Dolly in the past few days, I haven’t seen anyone talk about this. But it makes perfect sense to me.

    Thanks for giving us something new to think about.

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  14. Patricia, reposting (I hope?) because my previous attempt didn’t stick! But I’d just like to thank you for this lovely and so thoughtful tribute to Dolly. Amazing take on writers being their authentic selves!

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    1. Oh, forgot to add my vote for Jolene. I am always struck by the idea that the “narrator” is begging Jolene for a man who is, basically, no good. But he’s good for her, she thinks. So sad, but also…sadly realistic.

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  15. Thank you so much for this, Patricia! Like everyone else, I’m heartbroken that Dolly is gone. She was such a force for good.

    Amazing, all of the ways in which her life has been celebrated this weekend.

    I saw that the film 9 to 5 was #1 on Hulu last night. While that film is terrific, I adored her in Steel Magnolias.

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