According to musicologist Cameron Bennett, Dolly Parton’s enduring legacy lies in the fact that she was universally beloved.
Bennett, speaking to CBC News from Halifax, highlighted how Parton’s ability to bring people together was unparalleled, with individuals from different backgrounds finding common ground at her concerts.
Since her passing at the age of 80, tributes have been pouring in for the iconic country music star.
Bennett, a devoted fan from St. John’s, delved into Parton’s impact on his life through his university thesis titled I’d Be a Drag Queen: Dolly Parton, Queer Reception and the Performance of Gender.
He emphasized that his admiration for her extended beyond music to her philanthropic endeavors, advocacy for public health and children’s literacy, and her inclusive approach to embracing people from diverse walks of life.
Expressing his deep sense of loss, Bennett remarked, “I hope it doesn’t seem like an over-exaggeration when I say it feels like I’ve lost someone that was close to me, despite the fact that I’ve never met her and I didn’t even see her live. I think it’s just kind of the impact that she has had on so many people around the world.”
Parton’s legacy includes her charitable initiative, Dolly Partonâs Imagination Library, which provides free books to children under five years old. The program operates in multiple countries, including 19 locations across Newfoundland and Labrador.
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Dolly Parton entered a Dolly Parton look-alike contest. And lost.
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OBITUARY
Dolly Parton, one of country music’s greatest legends, dead at 80
Laurie Lynn Danks, a Dolly Parton tribute artist from Corner Brook known as Laurie Lynn, expressed her devastation at Parton’s passing.
She described Parton as more than just an entertainer or country music artist, emphasizing her role as a beacon of humanity and kindness that everyone can aspire to.
