KEN'S CORNER: Dolly provided positive example everyone can follow

As I have mentioned in previous columns, I've been a big fan of Dolly Parton for years. So, like most fans and those Parton has touched through her philanthropy and music, I was shocked by the announcement of her death on Aug. 22 at age 80. Most fans knew Dolly had been dealing with an illness, but none of us expected her to pass so quickly. I first became a fan of Dolly's through my grandmother Lena Miller, who gave me a true appreciation for the singer/songwriter, so I always connected Dolly to my grandmother. I had the privilege of attending many media day events at Dollywood, beginning in the early 1990s when I was employed at Erwin radio stations WEMB and WXIS. The first time I saw Dolly in person was in 1993 at my first media day. In those days Dollywood closed to the public on the annual media day, and only Sevier County kids and the media were allowed in the park. What was amazing is the fact Dolly would walk around with the media to different parts of the park. She even posed on a new Ferris wheel in the newly opened Country Fair section of the park. My friend and fellow WEMB and WXIS employee Patrick Callahan attended that first media day event with me, and I asked him about memories of that day. "I remember her on the Ferris wheel for sure," Callahan said. He was also able to demonstrate playing dominos for an out-of-state television station inside the Country Fair section of the park. A memory we both shared from that day is when we were sitting in the Pines Theater for a performance by Dolly's brother, Randy, and she entered and sat just two rows behind us. What a way to begin my media day adventures. In later years my friend Jason Worley attended media day events with me, and he is probably an even bigger Dolly fan than me, having a vast collection of Dolly memorabilia. Over the years, Jason and I saw Dolly in every costume imaginable at the park and have heard her sing "I Will Always Love You" too many times to count. Sadly, one of the best festivals at the park, The Festival of Nations, is no longer held. When the event was held Dolly would lead the parade, featuring all the international performers, in a festive costume. Two memorable costumes were when she dressed as Cleopatra and as a genie in "I Dream of Jeannie" style. I have seen Dolly perform in concert more times than any other performer, and as one might expect, she was magical on stage. She was one performer who always brought me to tears when I saw her live. If you never had a chance to see her in concert, there are several DVDs and YouTube videos of her various concerts. I am so thankful I was able to see her in person many times over the years and always left her shows with a smile on my face. Another special memory from 2013 involves an opportunity to work as an extra in Dolly's television movie "A Country Christmas Story." Filmed at Dollywood, the plot involves an "American Idol" type of competition. The extras in the theater scene reported to the park very early, and we remained there until almost 10 p.m. filming scenes with Dolly and the other cast members. Even though I was in a theater full of other extras, we were able to spend hours with Dolly and learn how long it takes to film just one portion of a movie. That special time in Dolly's presence is one I will always cherish. You can view "A Country Christmas Story" on the streaming service Tubi. In a post on Facebook announcing Parton's death, The Erwin Record invited readers to share their favorite Dolly songs in the comments. We got some immediate responses. Kim Crowder picked "Eagle When She Files," while Jana Steward favored "Here you Come Again." Wanda Rogers picked "Coat of Many Colors." Helen Nickell Redmond was not able to pick just one song, so noted she that she loves listening to "Islands in the Stream," "Coat of Many Colors" and "I Will Always Love You." Charlene Coffie listed "Jolene" as her favorite while Sue Marshall chose "Here You Come Again." Marshall also noted that she and Dolly Parton shared the same birthday. "I loved her singing beautiful voice," she added in her comment. Even though I chose "Light of a Clear Blue Morning" as my favorite, it is difficult to just choose one favorite Dolly song. In these days when things seem a little darker without Dolly's presence in the world, I feel the lyrics of the song offers hope for a better day. As Dolly sings in this song, "It's been a long dark night, And I've been a waitin' for the morning. It's been a long hard fight, but I see a brand new day a dawning. I've been looking for the sunshine, You know I ain't seen it in so long, but everything's gonna work out just fine, and everything's gonna be all right that's been all wrong." Dolly could have easily been a billionaire, but she didn't care for amassing personal wealth. Instead, motivated by a giving spirit, she was always donating her money to good causes in order to help others. Her large donation to Vanderbilt University even helped in the creation of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. I'm this far into the column and I haven't even mentioned the Imagination Library that she founded. Through this project Dolly has provided free books to children across five countries. Dolly always said she loved being known by kids as the "book lady." Dolly certainly set an example for all of us to be kind and love others without a judgmental heart. She used her faith in God to help others and never forced anyone to believe like she did in order to count themselves as fans. A large mug sits on my desk at work that reads: "What Would Dolly Do?" She would tell us to love others, follow our dreams, be kind and never give up. Thanks Dolly. I will always love the Queen of Tennessee.