AUM students shocked and saddened upon hearing about Dolly Parton’s passing
I was sitting in my advanced journalism writing class. At 1:05 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 25 the class was in transient silence before the next presentation. Then from my left, comes a deep, almost choked-off sigh. Then a voice in shock, and in one sentence announces, “Dolly Parton has just passed away.” Then, noise.
The next two minutes in the computer lab of the Liberal Arts Building become pure confusion, fingers racing across keyboards, murmurs of uncertainty, and one chorus of voices, “The Queen of country is no longer with us.”
Dolly Parton, who passed away Tuesday at the age of 80, was the country music icon of the old South, the one whose voice and accent was recognizable for an entire country, if not the world. On the notes of “Jolene” or “9 to 5”, she has been part of the existence of four generations, who danced, sang and felt free on her bright, twangy and unmistakable angelic timbre.
Parton served as a direct bridge between different generations, as is the case for AUM senior Haleigh Bedwell, who, among those present in the classroom, thought first to her grandmother and the bond this singer has created between them. “Growing up in the south, I have heard Dolly Parton since I was really young,” said Bedwell. “I used to stay with my grandmother over the summer as a kid and she would constantly have Dolly Parton playing, whether it was recorded on radio.”
Parton, a singer, songwriter, actress and philanthropist, has been the country voice of many for nearly seven decades. Fourth of twelve children, she grew up on a farm in rural Tennessee, as soon as she came of age, at 18, she moved to Nashville and achieved immediate success. Her first hits “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You,” were both recorded in 1973 and then released 1974, helping her win the Country Music Association’s female vocalist of the year, as reported by AP News
When we heard the news in class, before it had been reported in the news media, we kept checking for the latest updates. Only the New York Times homepage was open. Against a black background, her name and a photo that symbolizes her vitality were shown.
Then the official announcement, from the family, was posted on all of Parton’s social media accounts. Her nephew, Bryan Seaver, spoke in a lengthy video message on Instagram about his aunt, what she did for her people, and how she opened doors for singers, songwriters, musicians, and dreamers. Seaver also recounted Parton’s very beginnings: “Dolly was a farmer just like her daddy. He farmed the soil. She farmed songs and happiness.”
With her most famous songs, she truly brought joy to everyone who listened to her. She brought people together and shared emotions. “I didn’t realize it at the time, but Dolly is what made my grandmother and I so close,” said Bedwell. She represented and introduced country music to the world, leaving a void in the hearts of all who listened to and loved her.
The loss of Dolly Parton, due to her recent battle with cancer, has shaken the entire world. But as an international resident in the South, I can say that the news has had a different impact here. The feeling I had as I looked around was that this wasn’t the loss of a celebrity but rather someone in the family.
This sad feeling was clear right away, first in class and then outside. AUM senior Tre Redden, who was also in the advanced journalism class, said upon hearing the news, “It’s crazy to hear. Dolly is a staple of Southern culture. To hear that she’s just gone now is so sudden, I couldn’t believe it at first.”
Reactions to the loss of someone are always all over the place, in this case, it all started with a sigh, then chaos and disbelief ensued.
Dolly Parton and her legacy will remain timeless, I’m sure we’ll never forget an icon and a woman like her. And if Parton meant something to you, even if only for the duration of a song, you can leave a tribute message on her official website, and who knows, maybe all the love and admiration in those messages will reach her as her “Letter to Heaven.”
