Don’t Even Mention Retirement Around Dolly Parton
“It’s my therapy. My guitar is my friend. When I’m in that zone I call it my ‘God zone.’ I just love that time.”
To the people who hate Dolly Parton I say … wait, nobody hates Dolly Parton. She’s one of the most universally revered human beings not just in North America, but in the entire world, regardless of how you feel about country music. And though it’s her music that has made her who she is today, it’s her work ethic and dedication that has also inspired millions of people to persevere through life’s struggles. Raised in a small cabin as one of 12 siblings in dirt poor conditions, and now 73-years-old who who knows how much cash in the bank, Dolly Parton isn’t planning to slow down anytime soon.
Upon the occasion of Labor Day in the United States, Dolly Parton was asked in an interview in CBS Sunday Morning (see below) if she was pondering retirement, or ever had before.
“People always say that, ‘Why don’t you retire?’ And I say, ‘And do what?’ What does that even mean? I could never do that. I always count my blessings more than I count my money. I don’t work for money, never did. It was the art, it was the job. I love the work. And I’ve done well and I’m thankful for it.”
For Dolly Parton, music has been a lifelong pursuit, starting at a very young age.
“I guess I was about 10 years old. [It was the] first time my uncle took me to sing in front of an audience. And it was when they kept clapping and clapping after I had finished my song that I felt something. I was scared, I was nervous, I’m a country little kid. But when I got that applause, and got that feeling, that’s when I thought that this is what I think I’m gonna do.”
But it has also come with sacrifices. Dolly Parton’s impact on children has been huge, as a performer and role model, and also through her book program that has provided millions of books to underprivileged families from Appalachia to around the world. But she never had any children of her own. When asked if she regrets it, Dolly’s response was,
“No, absolutely not. It wasn’t meant to be, and I don’t regret it. I never regretted it. It was a choice. You make your choices. You make your sacrifices. And I never look back. I knew early on that I was going to walk that road ’till God told me to stop. And I’m still walking it, and he ain’t said nothing to me about quitting yet.”
Michael Roy
September 2, 2019 @ 11:10 am
In honor of this, I hope that everyone has had a happy and safe Labor Day.
David Hamilton
September 2, 2019 @ 1:15 pm
Reminds me of when Willie was asked about retirement once, he said “ Retire from what ? All I do is write songs, do shows and play golf “
Erik North
September 2, 2019 @ 4:12 pm
As successful a businesswoman as she has been, it is a good thing that Dolly remembers that it is all about being able to do the kind of work she has loved to do, and to be able to give back to her home region of eastern Tennessee, which still suffers from extreme poverty even to this day. And however many awards she’s won, and may yet still win before her time is up, she hasn’t forgotten that the work is its own reward. If more artists in Nashville would follow that particular mantra, maybe the country music genre would be able to get back to its roots and at the same time remain relevant to today, as opposed to being little more than a cold-blooded, money-driven business.
TheKillerRocksOn
September 2, 2019 @ 5:35 pm
still suffers from extreme poverty even to this day.,? You’re a moron and know nothing. This area is booming and there are more jobs than folks to fill them.. and it’s not just because of the tourist season in Pigeon Forge. Dolly is a treasure in east Tennessee, but hardly throwin crumbs to the unwashed masses.,save your thoughts and prayers for those that actually need it
Trigger
September 2, 2019 @ 5:39 pm
Killer,
With all due respect, that seems like a pretty harsh response to Erik North. And even though Pigeon Forge might be doing well, there’s swaths of east Tennessee that aren’t.
Erik North
September 2, 2019 @ 7:50 pm
If I misspoke about Dolly’s home region with respect to poverty, then I apologize.
But make no mistake about this: I will not let anybody on this blog ever call me a moron or any other fucking epithet without responding in kind. Make no mistake about it.
Corncaster
September 3, 2019 @ 5:27 pm
God bless this good woman.
Michael
September 5, 2019 @ 7:09 am
Dolly is one of the greatest singer – songwriters to ever grace American Popular Music. Her humanity work and embracement of her Hometown and the LGBTQ community stands as her greatest achievement. Her songs have an indelible part of the tapestry of my life since I was rocking in the cradle to a steel guitar.