Retired Tennessee Tech guitar professor Kerry “Doc” Stone said the legacy of music legend Dolly Parton represents a fundamental piece of Tennessee history that transcends her success as a global superstar.
Stone said the singer and songwriter maintained an authentic connection to her Appalachian roots throughout a career that spanned decades and multiple industries.
“You think of Dolly Parton, you think of Tennessee, you know,” Stone said, “It’s like I said, you think of Andrew Jackson, you think of Tennessee. Tennessee, especially Tennessee Appalachia, because that’s where she’s come from.”
Stone said Parton was the most important artist he encountered during a career that included serving as a bandleader at the Grand Ole Opry. Stone said Parton never lost her identity as an honest girl from Pigeon Forge despite becoming a successful movie star and business owner.
Stone said Parton demonstrated her songwriting talent during the filming of the movie “9 to 5” when she realized the project lacked a theme. Stone said the artist wrote the lyrics and composed the music for the iconic title track in less than 30 minutes using her guitar in her trailer.
“She’s the greatest female country singer and the greatest songwriter that this country’s ever seen,” Stone said. “And if you don’t know about her, you need to know about her in history because she did marvelous, marvelous things not only for that, but she for the women’s movement, my lord.”
Stone said Parton was a pioneer for women in the industry who used her music to overcome prejudices held by radio programmers and business executives. Stone said her impact extended into philanthropy through initiatives like her mobile library program that provided books to children across East Tennessee.
“I think she should be in all the history books,” Stone said. “I think she should be taught who she is in every major university in the state of Tennessee. I think in every music department where they where they teach music appreciation or music history, Dolly Parton should be in there with at least one complete chapter.”
Stone said the song “I Will Always Love You” stands as a masterpiece in the American songbook that will carry even more emotional weight for listeners following her passing. Stone said the track reflects the deep love Parton held for her home state and her upbringing.
Stone said Parton should be remembered for her universal success in entertainment, business, and community service that will remain relevant for centuries.
