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Dolly Parton On Whether She’s Still Considered Country: “I Do So Many Things, Sometimes I Wonder”
Dolly Parton doesn't think she's a country music artist anymore?
In the modern era of non-country artists dipping into the genre, it can sometimes be confusing to define and categorize what is and isn't country music. That being said, there should be no doubt whatsoever that Dolly Parton is a country music star - and a legendary one at that.
However, during a recent interview with CBS Mornings, Parton herself said she wasn't so sure as she talked about her new children's book Billy The Kid Comes Home for Christmas. Before the topic got to a recent country music accomplishment of hers, Dolly first talked about what inspired her new book:
"Of course, I love family… especially I love being home for the holidays. And to my knowledge, I’ve never missed a Christmas. But I’ve missed Thanksgiving and I've missed a lot of other holidays.
I try my best to be home for Christmas, but when you’re in show business you have to (go when) they call. It’s so important though - for the holidays - to try your best to be home with family and friends."
Following that very sweet sentiment about being home for the holiday season, the Billboard rankings that came out at the end of November came up in conversation. In case you didn't know, Dolly Parton was named the number one country artist of all time. That's a title that Dolly is certainly deserving of, though she admitted that she was taken back when she heard the news:
"Well I was shocked, to be honest. I was surprised. I was in good company with Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash and Loretta Lynn and all those wonderful people. I've been at this a long, long time - for 60 years - and people kind of know who I am.
I've had the great opportunity, more than some, to be able to be in movies and to do television and to do a lot of other things that a lot of the country artists might not get a chance to do. I was very honored and very humbled by it."
She's a national treasure.
Dolly continued by saying she was very grateful to hold the title of "Number One Country Artist of All Time." However, there are some days where she questions if she's even still considered a country music artist:
"I do so many things, sometimes I wonder if I’m still considered a country artist. Although I’m a country girl, I’ve had the chance to do things like my rock album and movies and things I've done. I wasn't sure, and I didn't even know there was such a category or that I was going to be voted for it, but I was very proud and honored more than anything."
If Dolly Parton isn't country, then up is down and left is right. The 78-year-old living legend is country music personified if you ask me, and I think most people would be in agreement with me on that one.
As she conceded herself, Dolly has tested out the waters of other genres, as she did in her latest Rockstar album. Bringing that up also summoned the tried-and-true question about other artists coming into country music, like how Beyonce did with Cowboy Carter (which included a modified version of Parton's "Jolene").
A lot of country music artists have been asked a variation of that question, but let's see what the "Number One Country Artist of All Time" had to say about it:
"Well, I figured if I can do a rock album… others can do country music. I think if you’re an artist, and you have a desire to cover… the whole spectrum of music and art, I really think you should have the opportunity to do that.
I’m always welcoming any of the people that want to be country, and I take it as a great compliment to those people who want to be a part of our world. I know I want to be part of their world at times… I think it should be accepted as that."
Dolly Parton has spoken.
I think it's safe to say that Dolly Parton is a country music artist, but it is interesting to hear how she views herself and her career as, "Am I still country?" You can hear more from the incomparable Dolly Parton in the interview below:
https://twitter.com/CBSMornings/status/1864312576512774285
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