The international music scene lost a powerful humanitarian and musician today. It was a shock to see the news drift across my screen briefly between classes today. My students have no idea who she is, but I know there are children young and old who benefited from her book charity and of course her humanitarian giving throughout her life. I felt compelled to honor her at the very least.

No, I am not a big Dolly Parton fan. At best I am a distant acquaintance to her music. Dolly’s voice was not the timbre or quality that made me go wow. Yet, I have been aware of her career and accomplishments throughout my lifetime. I am too young to remember her Porter Wagoner days. I was a minor when her movie career exploded. I was just out of college when Whitney Houston made I Will Always Love You a massive pop culture hit.

Despite my lack of fandom I recognized and respected her hard work. I was completely aware of how Loretta Lynn and her broke barrier after barrier for women in the entertainment industry. Without their leadership we may still be in the stone age in recognizing women in the field of music. My family and my wife are big supporters of Dolly Parton. They follow her music and show biz life pretty close. I went to Dollywood with my wife last year and I learned even more amazing things about her while there. She was an amazing woman, artist, and humanist.

Dolly’s greatest achievements in my mind were her humanitarian causes. Her respect for the LGBTQA community was evident back in the late 20th century. Her donations to humanitarian causes, though under the radar, had huge impact on her local communities. I was especially impressed with her donation to Vanderbilt University for research on the Covid Vaccine. She didn’t have to, but she did. Using one’s wealth for good rather than selfish motives is something I wish more billionaires would do.

Then we have the donated royalties of I Will Always Love You to underserved communities in Nashville. I remember hearing an interview, or maybe I read it somewhere that she heard Whitney’s cover in her car, and had to pull over because it evoked a deep emotional response. She didn’t feel the song was hers any longer and the royalties from that song belonged to Whitney Houston’s community. I remember being moved emotionally by that expression from Dolly Parton in the same way Trent Reznor was moved by Johnny Cash’s cover of Hurt.

I think it is a powerful statement that the American Humanist Association paid tribute to Dolly through social media for her humanitarian work. We know Dolly was a Christian, and here is a group of atheists or non theists at the very least recognizing her amazing work for humanity. A Coat of Many Colors indeed. She was universally loved for being honest and forthright. I was thankful our AHA leadership for recognizing those accomplishments.

Dolly Parton will go down as the second best selling female artist of all time during my lifetime. She was passed by Taylor Swift, but without Dolly, does Taylor become a billionaire? Maybe not, but I know Swift is thankful for Parton paving the way for her successes. I do know there will many tributes to her incredible legacy, from artists all around the globe. I’m particularly interested in seeing what The Dave Matthews Band does here soon. All I have to say is, thank you Dolly for being a great musician and person. The world could use many more just like you…

So in a world full of selfish billionaires… …be more like Dolly…

Farewell Dolly!!! You will be missed!!!