Dolly Parton still orders cassettes off eBay to record songs she’s working on

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National treasure Dolly Parton has a new 8-episode Netflix series, Dolly Parton’s Heartstrings, that will be released on November 22, and each episode explores one of her songs. She sat down with Good Morning America‘s Robin Roberts for an ABC News special, “Dolly Parton: Here She Comes Again!” for a wide-ranging chat about her music and her life, which she refers to as “a country Cinderella story.” Here are some highlights:

Dolly has no idea how many songs she’s written, and she orders cassettes for recording on eBay.
“When people say ‘How many?’ I say, ‘I don’t know. I don’t count them’… I’ve written thousands of songs.”

“I still write [songs]. I still have to have my yellow legal pads and my cassette player, and I have to order them off eBay.”

Dolly told Robin that she had a “complete breakdown” in the 80s.
“I could totally relate to how people do get on drugs or alcohol, how people do commit suicide, because when you’re a tender, loving, caring, sensitive person, you feel like you can only stand so much heartache and sorrow.”

Dolly doesn’t call herself a feminist, but she’s a vocal supporter of equal rights.
“I still believe that women should get paid equal and should be treated with respect. I’m all about that. And like I say, I don’t get out and have to preach it or march in the streets. I write about it.”

Dolly wants to support younger artists.
“[I’m] Aunt Dolly, I’m like that mother figure… I’m the one that’s older now to kind of look down on the kids and say, ‘OK, come on, you can do it and you’re doing great. I’m proud of you.'”

Dolly loves butterflies.
“They tell stories about me getting lost in the woods, and getting in trouble chasing butterflies,” she said. “I wrote a song called ‘Love Is Like a Butterfly,’ and it became a big hit in my early years.”

Parton loves butterflies so much that she admitted she has some butterfly tattoos, even though she doesn’t show them off publicly.

“I got them to cover scars or things… If I have to get a scar for any reason, I never can kind of get rid of that purple look. So I thought, ‘Well, I’m going to kind of decorate these with some flowers or little butterflies or whatever.'”

I’ve always loved Dolly. I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve seen 9 to 5. Incidentally, the GMA article includes the note that Dolly “has hinted that a sequel is in the works.” Sadly, I think that their information is out-of-date, because Dolly just told Entertainment Tonight it’s a no-go. I was looking forward to it, too. Funnily enough, I just put “Here You Come Again” on my phone after hearing Anna Camp sing it in an episode of Perfect Harmony (a show that has a great cast, but needs to drastically improve). I got rid of my Netflix account a few months ago, but may have to resubscribe so I can watch Dolly’s show!

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photos credit: WENN and Getty

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10 Responses to “Dolly Parton still orders cassettes off eBay to record songs she’s working on”

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  1. FHMom says:

    Aw. I wonder what happened to her in the 80’s to cause a breakdown. She seems like a lovely person. I wish she wou,d stop with the Botox because she’s so beautiful and she’d look more beautiful without it.

    • Lady Baden-Baden says:

      She hints on the Dolly Parton’s America podcast that it was due to a relationship breakdown but clearly wants to keep it private. Says she was close to suicide too. Yes – such a lovely person (although I do wish she’d stop saying she’s not a feminist when she clearly is)

  2. Nana says:

    @Quimby, if you love Dolly, then you’ll love Dolly Parton’s America podcast…. do yourself a favour and download 🙂

  3. Jess says:

    The podcast is great. It sounds like the struggles in the 80s may have also been related to perimenopause, based on what she says in the podcast. And depression can certainly set in at that time, as I can personally attest to. I’m glad she’s talking about it a bit. And I also love 9 to 5 – that movie is still relevant today.

  4. Barbara Rady says:

    She can do no wrong in my book! I am currently listening to Dolly’s Parton’s America podcast and it wonderfully fun and insightful. You can’t help but love her!

  5. Heat says:

    Adding to the chorus. Dolly Parton’s America pod is SO GOOD!

  6. Embee says:

    Can’t wait to listen to her podcast! There is something about Dolly that always makes me feel better and more grounded. If you haven’t already I definitely recommend watching Reese Witherspoon’s Netflix special “Shine On”. She interviews women who are ground-breaking in their field and Dolly is the first interview! Shes amazing. I loved the P!nk interview as well.

  7. India Rose says:

    I also highly recommend the podcast! It’s a six part series (the last episode will release next week) created by Jad Abumrad from WNYC’s Radiolab. His parents were born in Lebanon and he grew up in Tennessee, so he has a really unique perspective. The last two episodes were especially brilliant. I finished episode five last night and in the closing moments I had goosebumps – wow, was that episode well done!

  8. Betsy says:

    She’s so delightful.