Big of hair and bigger of heart, Dolly Parton remains a glorious and seemingly indefatigable presence in pop culture. Aged 78, she’s still releasing bold new projects at a higher rate than most artists, and to mark her latest endeavours, she will be joining us to answer your questions about anything in her remarkable career.
Sixty years on from when she graduated from high school and moved to Nashville to pursue her music career, she’s now going back to her roots with Dolly Parton & Family: Smoky Mountain DNA – Family, Faith & Fables. The new 37-track album and accompanying docuseries charts her parents’ heritage from Britain in the 1600s to the mountains of east Tennessee where Parton grew up, and is a celebration of the folk and country music of Appalachia, performed by Parton and members of her family. She’s also just launched her own range of wine, Dolly Wines, with an “easy-drinking, light-hearted, and vibrant” prosecco and a rosé “embodying Dolly’s joyful essence in every sip” (you can pick it up in Asda).
These of course come in the wake of an astonishing discography, with nearly 50 studio albums stuffed with vivid storytelling about every possible version of a broken heart or longed-for dream. As well as the solo hits there were starry collaborations with Linda Ronstadt, Kenny Rogers, the late Kris Kristofferson and more, and an acting career opposite the likes of Sylvester Stallone and Burt Reynolds. Her philanthropy has been extensive, including her long-running Imagination Library which has gifted more than 250m free books to children, and more recently she made a $1m donation to the research that resulted in the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine.
In the last couple of years alone, her music projects have encompassed her first rock album, made with stars including Paul McCartney, Elton John and Stevie Nicks; an appearance on Beyoncé’s country album Cowboy Carter; and Gonna Be You, a song alongside Belinda Carlisle, Cyndi Lauper, Debbie Harry and Gloria Estefan for the 80 for Brady soundtrack.
We could go on and on – it’s a true embarrassment of riches to ask about. Post your questions below before Saturday 12 October, and we will publish her responses on 1 November.
