The legendary Dolly Parton started performing for churches at age 6 and now, at 70, she shows no signs of stopping. Over the years Parton has carved out a career with hits like "Here You Come Again" and "Jolene." Her song "I Will Always Love You" was actually written about her professional break from Porter Wagoner but has gone on to have a life of its own making millions.
She created a theme park, Dollywood, that still continues to this day and has starred in many films, from 9 to 5 to Joyful Noise.
Parton's new tour, "Pure and Simple," lands her in Highland Park at the Ravinia Festival. Windy City Times spoke to her about her possible upcoming dance album and her LGBT following at a press conference.
Question: Can you start off with describing this new show?
Dolly Parton: We try to have a little something for everybody. I try to be as entertaining as I can be. We do all the hits that people expect me to do, "9 to 5," "I Will Always Love You," "Two Doors Down," "Here You Come Again," "Jolene" and more. I do a family segment where I do a lot of the songs from back home. I reminisce about who I am and how I got to be that way. I do some gospel stuff and try to be funny.
It is a small band with three of us on the stage. It is easy to hear and the simplest show I have ever done. We don't have a lot of big music and lighting. It is called Pure and Simple and it basically is.
Question: How do you describe the new album?
DP: It is called Pure and Simple. There are love songs I have written because I was married 50 years this past year to Carl Dean, my husband. I thought it would be a good time to do an album of love songs.
They are also pure in nature and pretty simple from the old records that I used to record long ago, which I think my true fans will really appreciate. It is nice at this age to still be making records. I've always loved singing and writing. It comes out on August 19.
Question: Do you come up with new things throughout the tour?
DP: Yes, because I love the fans and they are all different. Just like you have lots of friends and they are all different, but you love them all. I know my fans for that night have not seen the show so I play to that particular crowd. I love doing concerts and it is a love fest for my audience and myself. I really enjoy doing it.
Question: How do you make the tour bus feel like home?
DP: First of all, I stay on that bus. I have it stocked with everything I like. I've got my favorite pillows, makeup and food on there. I cook before we go on the tour and I put stuff in the freezer so I have some good country food. We used to have caterers cook for us but I always have to have a little taste of that Southern stuff like chicken and dumplings or pork roast or fried corn or whatever it is I may fix. I can't eat it all the time because I have to wear my show clothes.
When I am away from home, the food makes me not so homesick.
Question: What is next after the tour?
DP: Well, I haven't done this extensive a tour in about 25 years. I have done a lot of European touring, but not like this. Afterward, I want to get more involved in producing television and films. I want to continue with Dollywood and my other business things.
Question: The TV movie Coat of Many Colors was a huge hit. How do you feel about it?
DP: It has always been my favorite song that I have written. So many people can relate to that and being made fun of for something you wore and made to feel less. It addresses a lot of things like love and kindness. There is not a lot of family faith-based shows on TV anymore. I think people are hungry for that. I think something simple and homey struck a nerve with people. We are doing another one called a Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love. It follows the same family. I'm excited about it and touched it did so well.
Question: What is your opinion about country-radio stations not playing a lot of female artists?
DP: I think we have a lot of wonderful female artists in the business today. I am really proud of them too like Taylor and all of the great gals who are hot on the charts. I have always been proud to be a woman and I have always been treated well. Of course we would like to get played all the time. We certainly should be respected and appreciated for our talent just like everybody else. I think we are.
Question: When is your dance album with the song "Just a Wee Bit Gay" coming out?
DP: Every time I start to work on that, something else comes up. This big tour is keeping me busy through December and had to record an album to go with that. I have to put that dance album on the shelf again. One of these days I promise you I'm going to get that out.
That is one of the cute songs on it: "Just a Wee Bit Gay." It is a fun light-hearted tongue-in-cheek kind of song. One day I will get it out. Thanks for asking.
Question: What accounts for your LGBT following?
DP: Well, I don't really know for sure—I'm just happy that it is. I feel people don't come to see me be me but, instead, come to see me be them. I have had a big following and benefited so long that a lot of people just grew up with me. I feel like a family member, like an aunt or a sister. I am different and have fought for the right to be myself as well. I think that is why gays and lesbians relate to me. They know I appreciate everyone for who they are. I think we should accept everybody for who and what we are. Why can't we be allowed to be that? I'm not out to preach no sermons but I am here to do work, sing my songs, and love people.
Question: [Now-former] Gov. Pat Quinn declared it Dolly Parton Day in Illinois in the past. How did that feel?
DP: I was so touched and honored that there would be such a thing. I just hoped I could live up to that kind of a compliment. That is a beautiful state with beautiful people so I am honored to be lifted up to that level.
Question: What is the difference between you and the image you present onstage?
DP: I think I am pretty much the same. I'm as talky behind the scenes as I am on stage. I wear my heart on my sleeve and I say what is on my mind. People have come to know me for the last fifty something years like that. I don't believe I have too many secrets or people would know them by now.
I do love people and I think that comes from being brought up in a big family. I work harder at some things more than others but my personality is the same.
Question: What makes Dolly Parton get out of bed every day and be Dolly Parton?
DP: Well, I have to get up and go to work because I have worked myself into a corner. I made all of these dreams come true and now I have to be responsible for it. I'm a working girl. You don't just have a dream and let it go. You have to go out, work it, rework it, and branch out into other areas. I love what I do. I love to work. I have new dreams every day.
Parton turns the grass blue at Ravinia on Sunday, Aug. 7. Tickets and information can be found at Ravinia.org .
