Dolly Parton. NYT share link (may require registration or an email address or something).
Everyone was on this yesterday: I held off, per the policy of this blog, and I think pretty much everything that can be said has been, or will be. I only have two thoughts:
1. I know this isn’t original to Ms. Parton (it’s actually a cover of a Neil Young song, with a slightly modified lyric) but I find this to be incredibly haunting.
2. She was a zealous advocate of literacy. She wanted to put books in kid’s hands. I swear I read somewhere (but can’t find it now) that she believed books were the best way for kids to broaden their horizons and lift themselves up from poverty.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. You know, just in case you feel like tossing a few bucks in.
Dolly Parton’s letter to Eminem.
In other news: Jaye P. Morgan. Yes, from “The Gong Show”. (Kids, ask your parents about “The Gong Show”.)
My cousin worked as HR at Dollywood. She told me that Dolly was as nice in person behind the scenes as she appeared to be in front of the world. RIP to someone who tried to help children read. That should ensure her entry into a good place in heaven.
I think Jaye P was the first woman on TV that I realized was comfortable with being a sexy tramp. Kind of hot to my 12 yo eyes.
I had been thinking for some years that Dolly Parton was this country’s Teresa Teng (phenomenally beloved singer from Taiwan). There are few consumers of English language music or pop culture who didn’t lose a friend today.