Published by Cel Manero from Global One Media Inc.
The country legend toured the Nashville museum to explore how it showcases her journey from “the heights of the Smoky Mountains to reaching the pinnacle of success.”
Dolly Parton’s remarkable and long-lasting career is now featured in a new exhibit at the Nashville museum, which the country legend officially opened on Monday night.
“It’s amazing to see my childhood dreams come to life,” Parton, 79, told hundreds of guests at the opening event held at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
She was referring to her own life, filled with pioneering achievements across multiple decades, but her words also reflected the spirit of the exhibit itself.
Through a combination of artifacts and storytelling, the exhibit beautifully highlights how Parton has excelled in every role she has taken on — from songwriter and performer to actor, producer, businesswoman, and philanthropist.
No one has traveled farther or worked harder than Dolly Parton to reach her level of success.
“It’s been a long journey from the Smoky Mountains to the top of the world,” she shared during her speech, “and I’m truly grateful because it didn’t come without sacrifice.”
She referenced lyrics from her 2011 song “The Sacrifice,” which will feature in her upcoming Broadway musical, Hello, I’m Dolly: “Grindstones and rhinestones have made up my life / and you ask, was it worth the sacrifice?”
“Well, I believe it was, because here I am tonight!” Parton said, adding, “I’m thankful to every person who has ever supported me.”
Above all, it’s Dolly Parton’s relentless determination that fueled her rise from modest beginnings, and that’s the central theme of the new exhibit.
“Many assume it came easily to her because of her talent and charm,” explains Michael McCall, the exhibit’s co-curator and associate director of editorial at the museum. “But she had to fight at every turn against those who told her not to pursue her dreams.”
Her struggle started early, growing up in rural eastern Tennessee as one of twelve siblings, the daughter of a sharecropper and a homemaker. Her singing abilities were recognized at a young age, and a musician uncle became her mentor. Together, they secured her first big break—a Grand Ole Opry debut at just 13 years old.
Although the Opry manager initially refused to let her perform, deeming her too young, Parton and her uncle bypassed him by convincing Jimmy C. Newman to give up one of his performance slots.
“I sang a George Jones song and got an encore,” she recalled in the exhibit. “I thought, ‘Wow, this is amazing!’ Then I got a second encore, which was even better!”
McCall sums it up simply: “She was not taking no for an answer.”
The exhibit goes on to illustrate how Parton continuously overcame setbacks throughout her career, even after becoming famous. Doubters challenged her decisions to end her partnership with Porter Wagoner, to blend pop into her country music, to pursue acting, and to launch her Dollywood theme park.
One of the toughest battles, McCall points out, was the pressure to change her distinctive style. He shares how influential producer Chet Atkins once advised her: “You gotta tone it down. People won’t take you seriously.” But years later, Atkins admitted he was wrong, asking, “Aren’t you glad you stuck to your guns?”
Even today, McCall shares, Parton still faces criticism about her appearance. She told him, “They keep telling me to tone down how I look now that I’m older, but I’m not going to do that!”
The exhibit features an impressive collection of Parton’s iconic fashion, displayed on custom mannequins—many of which were provided by Parton herself to fit her distinctive figure. Highlights include the sherbet-orange polyester dress from her 1967 debut album cover, the cowgirl costume from the fantasy scene in the 1980 film 9 to 5, and the turquoise fringed suede skirt and lamé top she wore when she was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1999.
Visitors will also find unique memorabilia, such as the original handwritten lyrics to “Jolene,” the portable cassette recorder Parton used to first capture “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You,” and her personal script from The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.