Dolly in Duluth...

Dolly Parton, 1975
Minnesota State Fair

By Jim Heffernan

The death of Dolly Parton has caused almost unprecedented national sorrow and attention. It’s difficult to recall any other entertainer whose death drew such national mourning. Elvis? Close. 

With such a vibrant personality, tuneful singing, unique appearance and varied and impressive philanthropic efforts, the country-western singer and entertainer achieved iconic status.

 

I was not a big fan, but I recognize her rare talent and personality, always cheerful and smiling.

 

I met her once, I think. Depends on what you think “met” means. I was covering arts and entertainment for the Duluth News Tribune in the mid-1970s when Parton was booked for a concert at the DECC, around the time of her many Minnesota appearances including the Minnesota State Fair.

 

This was fairly early in her solo career and for some reason ticket sales were not going well. The show’s sponsors apparently became so concerned so they scheduled a “press conference” with Dolly to spur ticket sales, although they didn’t announce it that way.

 

I don’t think Dolly liked the idea. All local media were alerted and we met with her in a room at the lower level of the Duluth Arena-Auditorium (before it was renamed DECC). “All local media” meant three TV stations all sent reporters and camera operators who busily set up special lighting that was needed in those days. These sessions could become somewhat chaotic.

 

All I needed was a reporter’s notebook.

 

Dolly sat at the head of a fairly long table to be photographed and interviewed. She was clearly not pleased to go through this drill. I can’t recall any one-on-one exchanges with her. But it was not her usual smiling and friendly demeanor. Somewhere in the archives of the Duluth paper I suppose there is a story I wrote about the encounter.

 

I don’t recall if it helped with ticket sales. It was a long time ago. But I’m glad it gave me an opportunity to cover her appearance here up close before she reached the astonishing fame and adulation she later achieved.

 

It brings to mind a sad variation on the title of an old popular song: “Goodbye Dolly.”