Why does Dolly Parton have so many fans? I think it’s because she’s multi-talented as well as ultra-passionate about her music -- as shown in her charismatic performances. Just look at her record. She has written 3,000 songs, appeared in numerous movies and TV offerings, earned eight Grammy awards, two Oscar nominations, and three Emmy awards.

Also, Dolly has accumulated 586 soundtrack credits, according to IMDb. And she established the popular Dollywood amusement park plus The Imagination Library, a children’s literacy project.

The first time I saw Dolly Parton was back in 1980 when she played a sexually harassed secretary in the wonderful movie 9 to 5. While watching her on the big screen I couldn’t help thinking “wow – she’s stealing scenes from well-known stars like Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin and Dabney Coleman!” 

It's no surprise that I became one of her many fans and enjoyed her film work that followed including Straight Talk, Rhinestone, Steel Magnolias and The Beverly Hillbillies. 

Below are some of my favorite Dolly Parton quotes that capture her songwriting passion, her candor and self-effacing humor.

Songwriting is a way of channeling my feelings and my thoughts … things I see, the people I care about. My head would explode if I don’t get some of that stuff out.

I love story songs because I’ve always loved books.

My life is a song.

I think there is a little magic in the fact that I’m so totally real but look so artificial.

Children respond to me because I have that cartoon-character look.  

It takes a lot of money to look this cheap.   

A new documentary about this unique entertainer is now available on Netflix. It’s called simply Dolly Parton: Here I Am. I found it quite revealing and charming, especially the parts about the man she had in mind while writing “I Will Always Love You” and the segments about her private life as well as the fascinating testimonials from Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin who talk about their amusing experiences working together on 9 to 5. I simply had to write this short poem about it.

A songbird sings and Dolly hears

then writes notes down with love and tears.

Songs like JOLENE and 9 TO FIVE

begin to breathe and come alive.

A documentary for her

reveals why her work will endure

She sparkles like the stars above.

She’ll always be one that we love.

Dolly Parton is a true national treasure. Fans can look forward to her new Christmas movie scheduled for release during the 2020 holiday season.