Dolly Parton for President? To be honest? It has a nice ring to it.
A quintessential figure in American music, Dolly Parton has transcended the boundaries of country music to achieve global stardom. Emerging in the 1960s, her distinctive vocal style, characterized by a blend of country twang and pop sensibilities, captivated audiences worldwide. With timeless hits such as “Jolene,” “I Will Always Love You,” “9 to 5,” and “Coat of Many Colors,” Parton solidified her status as a songwriting virtuoso and cultural icon, earning the affectionate title of “America’s Sweetheart.”
Beyond her musical accomplishments, Parton exhibited a keen entrepreneurial spirit. Recognizing the potential to stimulate economic growth in her home state of Tennessee, she leveraged her immense popularity to invest in a theme park near her childhood home. Initially known as Silver Dollar City, the park underwent a transformative rebranding in 1986, emerging as Dollywood – a vibrant celebration of Appalachian heritage and culture.
Under Parton’s visionary leadership, Dollywood has flourished into a premier family entertainment destination, boasting a diverse array of world-class rides, captivating live shows, and authentic culinary experiences. The park’s unwavering commitment to showcasing the region’s rich traditions has garnered widespread acclaim.
Dollywood pulls in millions of guests each year, and recently, has even beat out theme park giants like Universal, Disney, and Six Flags on multiple polls and reports in terms of popularity and value, placing the Smokey Mountain theme park at the top of the leaderboard.
Dolly Parton has generally stayed out of direct political involvement throughout her career. She has avoided endorsing political candidates or taking strong public stances on political issues. Parton has often stated that she prefers to bring people together through her music rather than engage in divisive political debates.
However, Parton has been involved in various charitable and philanthropic efforts, which can have social and political implications. For example, her Imagination Library program, which provides free books to children, has had a significant impact on literacy. She also made headlines in 2020 for donating $1 million to COVID-19 vaccine research, which contributed to the development of the Moderna vaccine.
Now, it seems there are reports that Parton would endorse herself into the Presedential race.
If you have been following American politics, you know that the Presidential race has been nothing but drama with sharp twists and turns at all angles. Initially, President Donald Trump held the candidacy for the Republican Party, and President Joe Biden was running once again for the Democratic Party.
Following Trump being shot in the ear and Joe Biden’s noticeable health and motor functions deteriorating, the current President stepped away from the election, endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris in his place.
With so much shifting going on, it is not surprising to hear that other Hollywood stars would be willing to step in at such a late notice.
The country-music icon recently told the New York Times, “I think Hillary’s very qualified. So if she gets it, I’ll certainly be behind her.” But Parton meant that if Clinton were elected president, she’d support her, just like she would if Donald Trump were elected. Not everyone understood what she meant and thought Parton was endorsing Hillary Clinton in the presidential election.
Parton posted on her Facebook page that she wasn’t about to talk politics, and if she did, it would have to be in full Dolly style. “I try not to get political but if I am, I might as well just run myself ’cause I’ve got the hair for it, it’s huge, and they could always use more boobs in the race,” she wrote. “But seriously, I have not decided who I’m voting for, but no matter what we’re gonna be suffering from PMS, Presidential Mood Swings.”
Somehow, Parton’s name has come up multiple times in the ongoing election, with JD Vance, who is running to be Donald Trump’s Vice President, speaking on the country star.
Critics quickly identified Kamala Harris as a target of this comment.
However, the term “childless cat lady” is now backfiring on Vance, as women are using it to highlight the significant contributions of many such women to American society.
In response, women took to social media to challenge the stereotype Vance presented, compiling a list of “childless cat ladies” who have made substantial contributions to America.
At the top of this list was Dolly Parton.
Once fans realized JD Vance had disrespected Dolly Parton, social media erupted in her defense, emphasizing her remarkable contributions to America. It is quite clear that although Parton may not be in the running for President, she would likely have a strong candidacy. Read more on that here.
Parton herself has noted, however, that she is retired, despite having her hand in so many ventures.
Her husband of 58 years, Carl Thomas Dean, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease in 2017. Since then, Ms. Parton has deliberately scaled back her touring and public appearances to focus on spending time with Mr. Dean at their home in Tennessee.
While Parton may not tour in the traditional sense (she even donated her tour bus to the rock band NOFX), she has recently unveiled several new projects. These include a cookbook, a family reality-style show, and a new multimedia tour called Dolly Parton’s Threads: My Songs in Symphony.
This upcoming show, set to launch in 2025, will offer a multimedia symphonic storytelling experience. Parton will be featured through film, allowing her to avoid appearing on stage in person. The show will include an orchestra and live performers and musicians.
Parton is also working on a four-part documentary series titled Dolly Parton & Family: Smoky Mountain DNA – Family, Faith & Fables, which will be accompanied by a new album.
In addition, she has recently released a cookbook, a line of her own wines named “Dolly Wine,” and a cookware line at Dollar General. Despite her retirement, she remains incredibly busy.
More on Dollywood
Dollywood Parks & Resorts recently encountered a series of unforeseen circumstances that tested their operational resilience. Park officials responded swiftly and prioritized guest experience throughout these challenges.
On July 17th, a major water main break forced Dollywood to close its doors unexpectedly, just an hour after opening. This unprecedented event, according to park spokesperson Pete Owens, disrupted the plans of many guests who were either already in the park or en route. Understanding the disappointment, Dollywood offered full refunds to affected guests in lieu of the typical “rain check” policy.
Dollywood prioritizes guest safety and well-being. News of recent car burglaries within the park prompted Dollywood to collaborate with local authorities in an ongoing investigation. Additionally, the park took swift action upon learning of child sex crime charges against a contractor employed by a third-party cleaning service.
Despite these recent challenges, Dollywood remains committed to its core values and continues to offer positive experiences for its guests. The park recently launched its Public Employees Appreciation Days program, offering discounted admission to first responders, teachers, and military personnel from July 29th to September 15th. Additionally, Dollywood is actively recruiting for various positions across its properties in preparation for its upcoming Harvest Festival and Smoky Mountain Christmas events.
Dollywood’s dedication to its guests is evident in its swift response to unexpected events. By prioritizing guest safety and offering valuable programs such as discounted entry for public service personnel, the park demonstrates its commitment to providing a positive and memorable experience for all visitors. The park’s ongoing recruitment drive also highlights its commitment to growth and creating employment opportunities within the community.
Would you vote for Dolly Parton to be president?