08/25/2026
Dolly Parton, the beloved superstar, country music icon and undisputedly one of the greatest songwriters of all time, has passed.
Born into a large, poor family in rural Tennessee, Parton transformed the experiences of her Appalachian roots into a six-decade career that made her one of the most recognizable figures in American culture.
Her iconic songs such as “Jolene,” “Coat of Many Colors,” and “I Will Always Love You” solidified her place in music history and connected deeply with audiences all over the world, while her late 90s return to acoustic music helped revive mainstream interest in American roots music. She also starred in films like “9 to 5” and “Steel Magnolias,” and launched the popular theme park Dollywood. A dedicated humanitarian, Dolly donated $1 million for COVID-19 vaccine research, championed children’s literacy globally, and funded scholarships in her home county. She received 11 GRAMMY Awards (nominated for 50) and was inducted into both the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Admired for her over-the-top glamour and warm persona, Parton remained grounded and true to her roots throughout her entire career. She was an undeniable trailblazer for women artists, especially given the era when she came up, yet she chose to let her songwriting legacy- not the trails she blazed or the barriers she broke- be the defining measure of her artistry.
She always said “The songs are my legacy” - and she left us a treasure trove of those. Her passing marks the end of an era in American music and culture, and there will never be another like her.
-PC Muñoz, Director of Programming
