Dolly Parton was everything good.
In 2019, I had the extraordinary privilege of interviewing Dolly at SiriusXM. This conversation was especially personal for me: I first met Dolly when I was a child through my father, Charles Koppelman, who worked with her during a pivotal chapter in her career. Getting to reconnect with her decades later was emotional, surreal—and every bit as incredible as you would imagine.
Dolly and I revisit her history with my dad and the team that helped introduce her music to an even wider audience. She talks about growing up as one of 12 children, the many personalities in her enormous family, and how those early experiences helped her understand and connect with people of every age and background.
We also discuss her remarkable songwriting, tireless work ethic, unmistakable style, and the projects she was celebrating at the time, including Dolly Parton’s Heartstrings, her 50th anniversary at the Grand Ole Opry, and Dolly Parton’s America.
And, of course, Dolly shares the very sweet story of becoming Miley Cyrus’s “fairy godmother”—beginning with her friendship and early work with Billy Ray Cyrus—and why she knew from the start that Miley was destined to become a star.
Listening to this conversation again, what stands out is not only Dolly’s extraordinary talent or legendary career. It is her warmth, quick wit, generosity, humility, and rare ability to make the person speaking with her feel completely seen.
I was fortunate to know Dolly during my childhood, fortunate to reconnect with her as an adult, and profoundly grateful that I had the opportunity to share this conversation with her.
In this episode:
- Dolly’s memories of working with Charles Koppelman
- The story of her crossover from country superstar to global icon
- Why Dolly connected so naturally with every generation
- Growing up in a family of 12 children
- Songwriting, ambition, work ethic, and remaining unmistakably herself
- Her friendship with Billy Ray Cyrus
- How she became Miley Cyrus’s “fairy godmother”
- The warmth, humor, and humanity behind the legend
Dolly really did have the ability to connect with everyone. She will always be loved—and she will always be missed.
Video of this episode on youtube.com/jennyhutt
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