Nashville Community Remembers Dolly Parton

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Dolly Parton.

Grief has rocked the Nashville music community following the loss of global icon Dolly Parton yesterday (Aug. 25).

One of the most universally beloved and most widely respected artists of all time, she amassed 44 top-10 country albums, more than any other artist, and garnered 11 Grammy Awards, 10 CMA Awards, 40 BMI Songwriter honors, eight BMI Million-Air certificates, a National Medal of Arts and multiple hall of fame inductions. Beyond her musical talents, Parton was known for her philanthropy, which extended to Appalachian charities, medical clinics and educational programs, among other initiatives.

Read her full obituary here.

Industry members, songwriters and artists in Nashville and beyond took to social media to share remembrances of Parton. Below are some of those messages.

She’s not gone. I know exactly where she is. She was the epitome of faith, grace, talent, beauty and humor. She had a humble heart for Jesus and made everyone around her feel special. She was probably the one person on planet Earth that everyone loved and could agree on. She was a one of one and no one will ever come close. It’s alright to be sad that this world lost a legend, but heaven gained an angel. Well done, good and faithful Dolly. Welcome home. ❤️🦋 – Carrie Underwood

The last thing Dolly said to me was, “Bill Anderson – I Will Always Love You.” She was looking me in the eye from the giant video screen in the Grand Ole Opry House on the Occasion of my 65th Opry anniversary a few weeks ago. She was Smiling as only Dolly could, making my night even more special than it already was. The news of her passing has rocked my world, but as we sang together back in 2023, “Someday It’ll All Make Sense. – Bill Anderson

A world without Dolly doesn’t feel possible, real, or right. But because of the eternally generous way she spent her time on this earth and the countless lives she changed for the better, her legacy will be an everlasting one. She was truly the gift that kept on giving. Dolly gave us someone to look up to while encouraging us to be who we are as individuals. Somehow, she was able to give us her lessons about the world gently and honestly, simultaneously, and oftentimes hilariously. She managed to give the world the ultimate mystery and fantasy in some corners of her life, but to give full transparency in the ways that counted. Somehow, she was true grace and true grit, all in one dazzling person. She possessed the softest heart when it came to the struggles of others, and a backbone of steel to defend her own self worth as an artist. Along with her other fans, I am so grateful for all of it. For the melodies and lyrics she wrote that thawed even the coldest hearts. For the millions of books she provided children all over the world so that they might fall in love with stories the way she did. For the tightropes she walked so that young girls like me could grow up dreaming of joining the circus too. Dolly, I’ll think of you each step of the way. – Taylor Swift tells Billboard

My admiration for Dolly is as high as it can go. She was a one-of-a-kind entertainer. She did it all and did it great! I thank God for Dolly Parton. – Randy Owen/ALABAMA

The feeling of losing my Aunt Dolly is beyond what feels right to share. Our most sacred moments were private and they’ll stay there behind the stage, beneath the glamour & between our hearts. What I KNOW is Dolly would want me to feel it, write a song about it, and then continue on and be strong. I have an angel by my side. I always have. One of our last conversations was about music and metamorphosis. 🦋 I will always love her and want to make her proud. My heart breaks for the world, her family and friends who will miss her deeply. We’re in this loss together and we will see her in all of the most beautiful things. 💖 – Miley Cyrus

Today the world has lost a friend, but heaven has gained a beloved daughter. Dolly was one of the most loving and caring souls I have ever met. I had known who she was for many years, but really got to know her when we did some studio work together. I got to know her love for music, her love for the poor, and her love for Jesus! Dolly was born to shine her light in the darkness, and today she woke up in that magnificent light that she was given to shine in this world. There has never been any one like her in our lifetime, but good seed brings forth good fruit. And I pray that the Lord would give us many more people like Dolly who would shine His light into the world where hurting people are. Well done good and faithful sister! – Ricky Skaggs

Thank you for everything Dolly. I will always love you. Fly high honky tonk angel 💕🦋 – Miranda Lambert

Since I was a little girl, Dolly set the bar. Always the smartest, talented, glamorous, generous, luminous person in the room. I’m sure she’d laugh that off… she never seemed to take herself or things too seriously, except when it came to her art, her charity and philanthropy, and letting people know in no uncertain terms who she gave thanks to for her gifts. God infused, God inspired, God propelled. To hear her sing live in a room without a microphone was to have the hair stand up on the back of your neck. I had the thrill of that at my home, and well, I’ll say it again: God’s E.Q. She never forgot where she came from; she just was an endless well of creativity. I sat in a parking lot a couple of years back and played my sister ‘Down from Dover,’ which she had somehow missed growing up. We sat there in the car and bawled. I just could go on and on. There’s a Dolly-shaped hole in so many hearts today, mine included. Her work here was done. She’s gone home. – Pam Tillis

It would take a lifetime to express the love and gratitude I have for Dolly Parton. She was a true friend and mentor, even making a trip from Nashville to Greentop, Missouri when I had a life threatening illness. She said, ‘I had to make sure you were okay myself.’ Her work ethic was unmatched, and although she was a world icon, she was as down to earth as your next door neighbor. I will ALWAYS love you, Dolly!! – Rhonda Vincent

Dolly Parton has meant so much to Nashville, to Tennessee and to people around the world. Her music helped define Music City and brought generations of visitors here, but her impact reaches far beyond the songs we all know and love. We were incredibly proud to induct Dolly into the Music City Walk of Fame in 2009 and to honor her with our hospitality industry’s highest award in 2025. I was fortunate to first meet Dolly early in my career in East Tennessee, and I saw firsthand what made her so special. As a woman and a leader, she showed us that strength and kindness could go hand in hand. She was incredibly smart, knew exactly who she was and never felt the need to be anyone else to succeed. Even after all she accomplished, she never stopped creating, giving back and investing in Nashville. Her generosity and her legacy in Music City will be felt for years to come. – Deana Ivey, President and CEO, Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp

It’s nearly impossible to fully capture the depth of what Dolly Parton means to the world. Through her unwavering dedication to philanthropy, she gave back to her community and to the world with the same heart that defined her music. On behalf of the Recording Academy, our thoughts are with Dolly’s family, friends and the countless fans whose lives she touched. Her legacy – one of talent, kindness and resilience – will endure for generations to come. – Harvey Mason jr.

The passing of Dolly Parton will be deeply felt throughout our membership. Her life and legacy of joy and creativity had an indescribable impact on the world. As a singer, songwriter, performer, business leader and all-around visionary, Dolly Parton’s talent is revered across generations. Her basic humanity is known to the world and she is simply beloved by countless millions. Personally, from 9 to 5 when she effortlessly advanced the cause of professional women, to her Islands in the Stream collaboration with Kenny Rogers, I’m a true and forever fan. On behalf of SAG-AFTRA and my family, we send thoughts of love and condolence to her family. – SAG-AFTRA President Sean Astin

Dolly, You were the barometer. The north star. Bold and brilliant. Talented and tenacious. You taught so many lessons on how to be uniquely oneself. I am grateful for your art, your heart, your generosity, your humor, your entrepreneurship. I’m honored that I had the privilege to work with you. I will treasure that forever. Thank you for your profound impact on the world. You are an angel who has made this world a happier place because of your joyful art you are truly one of one. Rest peacefully. – Beyoncé

The death of Dolly Parton is as big as Elvis. This rocks the country and the world in the same way and we won’t get over this for a long time. God bless this beautiful girl. – Don McLean

Dolly Parton was a once-in-a-generation artist and, just as importantly, someone of true generosity and decency. As a fellow native Tennessean, I’m humbled by what she did with her platform: putting books in the hands of millions of children through the Imagination Library, standing up for people being treated unfairly, and modeling real inclusion, including as a steady friend to the LGBTQ+ community well before that was easy to do. SAG-AFTRA and the entire creative community mourn her loss. – SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director & Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland

I have so many moments and memories with Dolly, it’s hard to know where to start. Like every little boy, I grew up loving Dolly Parton. She was a part of our lives, on our TV’s, right in our living rooms. In 1992, I’ll never forget walking into her dressing room to apologize for all the tabloid stories which claimed I was having an affair with her. In true Dolly fashion, she just looked at me, winked and said, “Honey, this trash sells records!” Dolly recently sent me a beautiful message, telling me she loved me with her whole heart. I will always love her in the same way ….. with my whole heart … and I always will. – Billy Ray Cyrus

Sad to hear of the passing of [Dolly Parton] today. The term “legend” gets thrown around a lot these days but she really was. An icon to the entire entertainment industry, especially the Country Music family. I had the privilege being around her a few times over the years and she was truly a bright light that shined just a little brighter than anyone else in the room. It’s always sad when one of our heroes passes away, but the beauty in music is that her art will live on forever. Rest easy Dolly and thank you for the contributions you made and the doors you kicked down for all of us that came after you. – Jason Aldean

Dolly was the songbook of many of our lives. I remember when she joined the Porter Waggoner Show. We were on those shows and shared the same dressing room. She was charming then, just as she was the last time I saw her. “When I Sing For Him” is one of my favorite songs she ever sang. We recorded “Coat Of Many Colors”, written by Dolly. When she wrote, “I Will Always Love You”, I believe that is one of the greatest songs ever written. When she called us to help open her new theater in Pigeon Forge, I was thrilled. One of the highlights of my career is to have THE OAK RIDGE BOYS, BOB HOPE, DOLLY PARTON, opening her new theater. Dolly, I could go on and on about you giving to children’s learning, but others will want to thank you. I will close with, “I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU”  – Duane Allen/The Oak Ridge Boys

Lauryn Sink
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