A Conversation With A Global Icon: Dolly Parton | Khloé In Wonder Land Ep. 23

[Music]. big dreams. and faded jeans. I was wondering how you. got to be a fan of mine. You're so. young. H Well, you're just everything. I ain't everything. You hear that, I'm sure, all the time. Well, I hear stuff, but I don't believe. any of it. Someone who has been in this industry. for as long as you have. I feel like. you've never slowed down. There's always new dreams. I always say, "I wake up with new dreams every day.".

And a lot of my people that work with. me, they say, "Yeah, and your dreams are. killing us.". Cuz they have to help me carry them out, right? I remember once my grandpa said about me. wearing my makeup and everything, and he. said something like, "Well, don't you. want to go to heaven?" And I said. something like, "Yeah, but do I have to. look like hail when I get there?". Sometimes I'll ride a line and I'll. think, "Yes, yes." Oh, I knew I couldn't. think of that on my own. had to come. from some kind of a spiritual place. So, I just think, "Yes, thank you.". Yes.

I just want everybody to be able to do. the best at what it is they dream of. doing. But in order to make that a. reality, you're going to have to. sacrifice, but never sacrifice the. things that are the most meaningful to. you. But you got to work your butt off. Nashville is the place to be. for big dreams and fingers.

Well, it is such a privilege and an. honor to be here with you, Miss Dolly. Well, thank you so much for having me. I'm a fan of yours as well now. You got. a lot of followers and I'm one of them. Well, thank you. I'm definitely one of. yours and I've been one of yours for so. long. I mean, your talent and your gifts. are obviously undeniable, but I think. something that I gravitate so much to is. your heart and your humor. I'm someone. that really relies on humor to get.

through almost everything in life, bad, good, the ugly. Don't you think that's really like a. part of like the of why people get to be. funny because they have to kind of make. a fun of it? I know when we were growing. up in the mountains as poor people, my. daddy's people were so funny. My mama's. people were so funny and just the people. in the neighborhood because if you don't. have a sense of humor, you can't. tolerate some of the things you have to. do. So, you just kind of make the most. of it. And sometimes that is, you know, a sense of humor can get you through.

things even good medicine can't. Amen. And it's the truth. A lot of. people don't have that bone in them. where they're just innately funny. And. you have that. And I admire that so much. and I I'm really drawn to that. And I. wanted to first lead off with my, as you. know, my 40th birthday was almost a year. ago. Um, which is crazy. And I did. Chloewood in honor of Dollywood. I know. I got all the pictures. Everybody was showing me what you were.

doing. I was so so honored and so so. flattered and just thought it was just. great that you would do that. Your. sisters, your beautiful sisters, your. mom, and all those girlfriends. Were. some of those your relatives in those. pictures? No, they were all my sisters. Um, just. family friends. We have a small little. tribe that we sort of do anything and. everything with, but we had. beautiful women obviously bevy of. beautiful women. My sister Kim threw the. party and she leaned in and did every. little detail and I was so proud of her.

Um, and it was my Dollywood dream. I've. never been to Dollywood. Oh, you've got to come. I'm here in. Nashville now. I know. So, it's just to Well, it actually it's. three hours driving, but just about 30. minutes if you flew up there. But. whether it's this time or not, one of. these days, I should probably have to be. the one to show you around. Maybe you. can film something else up there. And we. have. Chloewood. We'll make it Chloewood for. the day. Chloewood for the day. I'll take. Dollywood. But because I want my 40th.

and it's Dollywood's 40th. Well, it is. In fact, we just did a big. celebration up there and I came out of. the cake when I first opened it 40 years. ago. I came out of the cake in a white. dress. I'm a little older now. So, this. time I walked out of the cake. They just. I don't think I need to be climbing up. there and then climbing out of a cake. and doing all but it was fun and we kind. of duplicated the opening for our 40th. anniversary. But, yeah, it's grown so. much and I'm just so proud of that. We.

really employ a lot of people up there. in the in the whole county. and at least. 40 of them are probably relatives of. mine that are working in the park. A lot. of my relatives work there doing the. music, but they also do different. things. But it's just a wonderful place. for families. It's like u like like. Disneyland is there's something for. everybody, right? And it's it's just fun. for the kids and the grown-ups alike. I mean, did you ever think 40 years ago. that it would still be here and getting.

only bigger and bigger? you know, you. have the water park and all of that with. it, but what it does for the community. and the legacy you're leaving with. Dollywood. Well, you don't really think like that. when you I mean, I certainly had hoped. it would be here forever when we started. it, but I never dreamed that it was. going to go the way that it has. And of. course, you you can dream big and I do. Everybody knows that I'm a big old. dreamer. They call me the dreamer and. chief at Dollywood. Love it. But and. because we come up with new things every. year, but the way that it has grown and.

we just win all kinds of prizes every. year for being the number one this, the. number one that, the number one park in. the south, the number one of the number. one parks in the world now. So the fact that that's just in my. hometown and that it's something I can. be proud of, that my people can be proud. of me because I'm very proud of my. people and where I came from. And so. it's just a wonderful thing for families. to enjoy each other. It is and I think everyone is so proud. to have that and what you've done for.

the community out there. It's a. beautiful. They are. They're they're my people. There's a song that's actually which. we'll talk about a little later in my. plays called the these are my mountains. You know, these are my people, you know, these are my memories. This is my home. And that's who they are. Even even. though they're not all related to me, many of them are. And they all feel like. family cuz it's like a family of friends. and just a family a community like ours. when you grow up. poor like so many people did in that.

part of the world. You really have to uh. depend on each other and so you really. do become like family and a spiritual. family as well. You kind of lean on each. other spiritually. And so many of the. people in that part of the world are of. churchgoing people because you have to. rely on God, something bigger than you. to get through. Like we were talking. earlier about just a sense of humor, right? How you have to have that, but you also. have to have your faith to get you. through. And I always say, you want to make God. laugh, you tell him your plans. So I.

think God has a the biggest sense of. humor of them all. Yeah. I think that has to be true. because a lot of people say, you know, sometimes I get I get a little out of. out of hand just making jokes just like. I remember once my grandpa said um you. know about me wearing my makeup and. everything and he thought that was I was. going overboard and he said something. like well don't you want to go to heaven. and I said something like yeah but do I. have to look like hell when I get there? But my mama was saying that's sacrilege.

you know you're going but I thought Lord. knows I'm just kidding him. Yes. You know, I think that God has to. have a sense of humor. He wouldn't have. created me. I don't think. I believe I believe so, too. Trust me, God has the biggest sense of humor. Yeah. I I would think he wants us to. laugh. Even the Bible says that if. you're a spiritual person, you know, the. Bible talks about a a merry heart, a. happy heart does good like medicine. Yes. So, I think laughter is one of the. most healing things. And, you know, a. heart, you know, a joyful heart, I. think, is is a wonderful thing to have.

It is. And I also think laughter is what. keeps us young and going and it for me. it gets me through everything because I. we could have the most horrible things. happen for some reason in the darkest of. times I will find it will be a dark joke. and probably in an inappropriate time. but it's what gets me through that time. I know but sometimes the most. inappropriate things are the best things. like you said for you cuz if you can. laugh at whatever even if somebody says. oh like mama you know that's sacrilege.

it's not I don't think God looks at the. body you know the in in my spiritual. world it just talks about it it's just. the you know the intent of the heart is. what we're judged by our deeds and the. intent of our heart so if we're not. intending to do something you know to me. I'm like you I'm intending to lift the. spirit marriage. So that's a good. intent. Yes. Great intentions. Someone who has been in this industry. for as long as you have, how do you keep.

going where you make everything fresh? Like starting so young in your career, I. feel like you've never slowed down. I. feel like you're only having more and. more hunger to do either leave a bigger. legacy and you do so much for so many. other people. It's not so much about. yourself. Where does that ambition and. drive come from? Well, I always say that. I live on spiritual and creative energy. And I always want to see things happen. Not only do I want to see them happen, I. want to make things happen.

And it's because of my faith that I. believe that I can do something. I. believe that I would be sinning if I. didn't make the most of everything I. feel like God has given me to work with. And so I wake up every day because every. day is a new day and every new day. brings on new things. You know, it's. like let tomorrow take care of the. things of itself. So tomorrow will take. care of the things. So when I look. around every day I wake up and I think. well of course I have to carry over the. things that we're working on,

but there's always new dreams. I always. say I wake up with new dreams every day. And a lot of my people that work with. me, they say, "Yeah, and your dreams are. killing us. because they have to help me carry them. out." Right. But I just I just love. life. I love people. I love my job, you know? And I I just love what I do. I. just love that I can write songs. I just. love that I can sing. I just love that I. can go out on stage and make people. happy. I love that I have that gift that.

I feel like is a God-given gift. Yes, there are many people more talented, but. I'm going to make the most of what I. got. So, I just see uh a new chance. every day. So, I just go for it. I like. to entertain myself, too. I like to be. entertained. So, that's everything I. start a new is going to be new. entertainment for me. Well, and my mom my mom is a really hard. worker. A lot of people ask, "Are you. going to retire?" And she says, "The. second I retire is the second I sort of. feel like I'm going to die." like.

mentally, the creativity, the constant. moving. I really think all of that keeps. everyone younger. I agree because there's an old saying. says I would rather I would rather wear. out than rust out. because I think a lot of people when. they do retire, they start to rust. I. mean, I mean, I don't even know what. that word means, right? I really don't. I can't even imagine. like if I said I could say I'm going to. retire, but I wouldn't, right? How could I? because I would still wake.

up with the same thoughts. I might not. go do it, but I would want to, right? Or. I would think, why did I say such a. stupid thing? Now I have to live by. that. I'm always I'm always kind of uh, you know, put off a little bit or I kind. of laugh when I hear all these artists, they're, oh, they're on their farewell. tour. or this is the farewell. I'm I'm. retiring. They're so and so's retiring. and they do in about six years or so. Well, they're back on the road. They. won't go back and say, "Why even say.

it?". Right? You know, just a just say, you know, just say, "Well, this is going to be one. of my last taking a break for a minute.". Say, "Yeah, just say something like. that." But no, I'm like your mom, which. by the way, I admire her very much. Oh, thank you. I think she's amazing. She's raised a. beautiful bunch of gals that are so. smart and she's had a lot of brains to. kind of help put all the things together. that that you have. It's amazing what. y'all have done. So, I think that. there's a lot to be said though about. just like I said, wanting to make things. happen. There is. Is there one of your gifts.

that you feel more connected to than the. other? Whether it be songwriting, singing, acting, the philanthropy, it all is important to me. I think that u I get the most I guess. it's because I feel the closest to uh. you know, my spiritual self when I. write. I'm a songwriter. I love feeling. like that I can create something to. leave something in the world today that. wasn't there yesterday. A lot of people. can sing and a lot of people can write,

but everybody don't. But to me, I I just. think that to be able to write because. everything begins with a story, right, or a song. Every movie. you've got to have a great story. Doesn't matter how great the actress is. or the actor. Doesn't matter how great. the director is. If you don't have a. good story, you don't have a project. Same with a song. All the great singers, some of them write, some of them don't. But you've got to have a great song. You've got to start with the creative.

end of of just creating whatever it is. you're going to put out there in the. world. So, I think that's one of the. reasons I love to to write because I. feel like I'm so connected to God right. then. And I I just sometimes I'll ride a. line and I'll think yes. Yes. Oh, I knew. I would I couldn't think of that on my. own. So I felt like had to come from. some kind of a spiritual place. So I. just think yes. Thank you. Yes. Yeah. And I think uh that's true about. anybody that's very serious about their.

writing. So I just love that. I feel like I'm in. my own zone then with God. I love that. And is there anything that. you've written that you haven't finished. that you had a writer's block or that. you weren't able to finish? Well, I don't think I've ever had a. writer's block. There was once when uh. when the closest I've ever come to that. was when I was writing some things for. the best little wh house in Texas. That. story was already written and I was. trying to come up with stuff for that. and they were demanding certain things. and there was a time element. That's the.

first time I'd ever written outside for, you know, I'm I write because I love to. write. I I write what comes to me. And. so I was having to write under somebody. else's direction, trying to come up with. what they needed, but me trying to come. up with how I wanted that to sound. So. when I was doing that, I I thought, you. know what? This must be what people call. writer's block because I thought, well, I'm not going to finish this unless I do. it my way. then we can tear it apart.

Then I can go back and refix it, restructure it. But if it doesn't come. from me, if it doesn't come from, you. know, I can take the idea what they. need, right? But I still have to make it. your own. my own. And I have to, you know, to do. that. So that's the closest that I've. come. But there's a few things now. My husband. passed away three months ago. I know. But when you ask me if there's stuff. that I've started, haven't finished. Several things I've wanted to start, but. I can't do it. I will later, but I'm. just coming up with such wonderful,

beautiful, you know, ideas, right? But I think I won't finish it. I can't. do it right now because I got so many. other things and I can't afford the. luxury of, you know, of getting that. emotional right now. Right. So, there are times like that, things. like that that would we'll start you a. little bit, but. I'll write something else though if it. if it comes. So, I'm I'm just putting. that all on hold. But that's my that's. my special that to me is like my joy and. it happens just to be my job, right?

But it is also my my joy. So I love it. when when I just get a great idea that. just comes and then I think well I got. to go put this down somewhere. Summer is here and we are not. gatekeeping our globe secrets. Okay. This is the season to feel good, look. good, and give your body the love it. deserves. And Symbiotica has truly. become a staple in my self-care routine. I've been especially obsessed with their. liposal glutathione and liquid. colostrum. This duo is next level when.

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zdock.com/cloey. to find and instantly book a toprated. doctor today. That's zoodoc.com/clo. zdock.com/cloey. One of your most famous or popular um. writing ideas was I will always love you. and Jolene. And I heard that you wrote. both of them on the same night. Well, that is possible. Both of those are on. the same album,

which oddly enough, the album is Jolene, I will always love you was on that. And. then we I have it on a cassette, but you. know, there's space a lot of times when. I would write, but I don't know if it. was written the same at the same time, but it was certainly written within, you. know, that little time frame of where. you write. And I must have been in a. really good writing mood that night. Yes, I would say so. Yeah. So, it's like to have two of your. biggest songs to to have, you know, been. written and to both of them be on the.

same album cuz they put Jolene out and. then I think I will Always Love You was. the second single off of that album as. as opposed to I think the other way. around. That is crazy. And I also don't know if. this is true or not, but my dad my dad. was in the music industry um before he. passed away. And he. loved all sorts of genres of music. And. he told me that Elvis Presley wanted to. re-record I will always love you. But at. the time, and I might be saying this.

wrong, said to you, well, or maybe his. management said, you know, if Elvis. Presley records this, they need like 70%. of the or all of the writing royalties. And you said no. And it broke my heart. But here's how. that happened. It wasn't Elvis. But what a powerful. He loved he loved the song. And as a. matter of fact, years later, uh, Priscilla, I was working with her on. some things and she had told me that, uh, Elvis had sang that to her on the. steps of the courthouse when they.

divorced when they left the courthouse. So, he was singing to her, I will always. love you, but he loved the song. He wanted to do. it. It had nothing to do with him. I. never met him, but I was going to go to. the session that day. I had been invited. down. They were here in Nashville. And. so, he was going to be recording it. But. Colonel Tom Parker the day before, the. evening or the afternoon before the. session, the next day called and said, "Well, you know that we don't record. anything with Elvis unless we have the. publishing." And I said, "Well, that's. my most important copyright right now,

so you can't have it." And he said, "Well, then Elvis can't sing it." And I. thought, "Well, so be it." And I cried. I cried. I remember crying so hard cuz I. had told everybody that Elvis was going. to sing the song and and all that. But uh I couldn't give it up because I. it was already like I say it had been a. hit with me. It had been a big hit with. me. And then uh I just something to say. because I had just started my own. publishing company. Had just started my.

own business starting to claim my own. things because when you're new in the. business you have to um compromise, right? You have to work until you can. get to where you can on all your things. And by the way, since that, what few. songs I've had scattered around through. the years, I've got them all back, made. deals with record labels or with uh u. other potion companies to do this or. that, to do something for them so I can. have all my eggs back in the same. basket. But at that time, that was when. I had just started my potion company and.

and that was the big one. And I thought, I can't do it. And that was. heartbreaker. So that goes to show you. though when you're in business. Mhm. there are some decisions that you have. to make that might break your heart. But. look what it did when Whitney recorded. it, right? I mean I made millions of dollars. because of that on on the publishing. and you trusted your gut. I did and I protected yourself. But I. still um agrieved over that. And so I.

even wrote a song years ago. It was in. my rock album, the Rockstar album I did. a couple years ago. It's called I. dreamed about Elvis and I tell this. story about having a dream about Elvis. and we talked about that whole thing and. I said well it is my dream maybe we. could sing it now. So then I wrote this. song and I had an Elvis sound alike guy. sing with me on it singing I will always. love you and it is so cool. So when you. go home look up uh I about Elvis on from. the Rockstar album. That is genius. And.

I just think it says so much about you. and. even if you know it or not, your. business sense and how you've learned to. trust yourself. I think being a woman in. general, it's a little tougher, especially around so many men that can. be so intimidating, but especially then. and in the music world, it's very. intimidating for a woman. Well, it was at that time, but I've. never been intimidated by men. I love. men. I have six brothers and my dad and. my uncles I was very close to my. grandpa. So I never met a man I didn't.

like. Some I've liked more than others. I'm like Will Rogers and that but I kind. of you know I understand that and and. usually it's like anybody else is like a. bully that you can get away with what. you let them get away with. Right. So to me I always felt like when I. walked in at a record label or whatever. I just say I think I can make us both a. lot of money. What do you think? Right. To me, I never was willing to sacrifice. my integrity and my principles and. values cuz I figured I had enough talent.

that sooner or later something would. happen. It's so important for people to know. that it's okay to stand your ground and. trust your gut and something that you've. worked so hard for. It was yours. How do. you feel about how cool that Beyonce. covered Jolene on Cowboy Carter, but. then she sort of flipped the messaging. of Jolene a little bit? Well, she did. In fact, I heard she was. doing Jolene. I was so excited. And then when I heard it, I thought, "What?" You know, it's like cuz it was. completely different. But see, that's.

the difference in I don't know that it's. the difference in the times as much as. it's the difference in the in the. person. Mine was like u was a true. story. I mean, like it was an emotional. time just like I will always love you, you know, came from my heart. And it's. kind of, you know, even though I, you. know, played it up more, but being. vulnerable because she was, there's. always a Jolene out there. There's. always somebody prettier than you. There's always somebody that might be. better than you about, you know, this. and that. So, but to me, it was about just being.

vulnerable. It's like somebody can, you. know, if you take him, but you don't. know how much I love him, right? And so with her, she flipped it around. thinking, "You think you can take my. man?" But she's that cool, you know? She's that cool. But I loved it because. as a songwriter, you love to hear how. other people interpret your songs. And. the fact that she did it, I knew it was. going to make a lot of money. Yeah. Do you have any unusual writing rituals. that people would be curious about?

Uh, well, I do different things. The. thing I love the most to be able to do. being a spiritual person and a creative. person. I bought the old Tennessee. Mountain home, our old home place years. and years ago. So, the thing I love most. is to be able to try to set aside some. time to go back up to the old Tennessee. mountain home with the purpose of. writing songs and getting closer to, you. know, to God as I perceive him. and to be able to like fast a few days.

and uh then once you get over the. headaches and right, you know, get where you can get to where. you can think clear. Is it just a water fast? Well, uh, for a day or two, few days, three days, and then the juice fast, and. then to try to, you know, to clean your. body out, too. Just detox your body. It's been a long time since I've been. able to do that, right? But that's what I used to love to do. Go. up and stay, you know, for several days. to get closer to God and to see what. comes. That is a ritual. But for the.

most part, I can write anywhere. I've. always got a notepad and a. close by in my purse, whatever, because. something's going to come, right? I bet. Yeah. I love how much you speak about faith. And I love that you're allowing me to. talk to you about faith cuz I have such. a strong faith. I'm Christian and I. believe in God. And I know that you said. that you found God in your music and. there was a very transformative moment. at church where he ex you experience the.

way that he shaped and how you approach. life. What was that experience? Well, that is also in my musical. u how I did that. But I my grandpa was a. preacher and we were Pentecostal. That's. that hellfire brimstone. And Lord, if. you don't go get saved tonight, you. might go out unprepared and a truck. might hit you and you're doomed forever. So I was so scared every time they had. an alterc. I must have got saved 15 times but never.

did, right? You know, in the church got baptized. over but you know to me I just wanted to. be better safe than sorry kind of thing. But I didn't feel it. I didn't feel like. it was fear. And I think scared religion. is no religion. And you know, it's like. I'm not religious as much as I'm just. bonded to that thing that is God that is. so much part of me. There was an old. abandoned church house down below us. where it had been a church years ago had. still had an old abandoned piano and had. broken down and where this where people.

go to drink, have sex, stuff written on. the walls, but still had Bible verses. and everything. But I would go to that. old church and I felt the presence. I. felt a presence there. M. and so it was in that old abandoned. church that I just praying to God the. way that I I was just saying well just. show me, you know, help me, save me, you. know, cuz I want to be ready, right? So it was then that I just had this. peaceful over me. And I just felt like. that I had for the first time in my life.

had truly found God. And I felt like. that I just had a knowing of what my. life was supposed to be. And I thought. it was like it was just a feeling that. said you go and don't you stop till I. say stop. Wow. So I never have. So that was kind of how. that happened. It had to happen without. fear and without influence and without. anything else. So a lot of people are. just too smart to believe in God. You know what I mean? Well, you have to believe in something.

bigger than you. Yes. And whether you call it science, whether you call it nature, whether you. call it this or that, doesn't matter. You know, there's a force there. There's. an energy. There's greatness. And those. of us that, you know, do believe like we. do. However you find him, just do. I agree with you. You have to have a. higher power because that's your moral. compass. And if not, who are you afraid. of? Even if I knew there was no God, I'd. choose to believe it cuz I want to. believe there's something out there. And. I do believe it. No, it doesn't matter.

You know, I genuinely believe as well. Oh, I definitely believe it. And I. People say, "Well, you shouldn't talk. about that." I said, "Well, yes, I. should." I'm not telling you what to do, right? I'm just telling you what makes me work, what I believe. And if God can shine. through me, and I ask him to. all the time. If if somebody can see. something in me that might lead them to. whatever's working for me might work for. them, doesn't matter. I just hope that, you know, that I can do some good in the. world. Well, you do so much good in the.

world and you bring so much joy to so. many people around you. But when you are. having that tough day, do you rely on. faith? Do you rely on prayer? Is it your. writing? I rely on all that. You know, I'm very. close to to um my sisters, my family, you know, have always leaned on that. And you certainly, you know, no matter. what's going on, no matter how bad it is. or how bad you've screwed up or no. matter what, they'll love you. Anyhow, I. have that. I've always had a best. friend. She's not well now. She's out of commission now and has been.

for for a while. But there was always. that to go to. I wrote a song called. Jesus is the only friend I need. I don't. have to have all that. I can actually. just go to that place that gives me that. I think a higher wisdom and a higher. peace and a you know an inner peace. So. I don't have to go outside it. Right. But there are a few people that I can go. to if need to be. So I just do it all. kinds of ways like that to write or. whatever. The beauty of at least for me having so.

many siblings is and especially when. you're as close as you are I am with. mine this world especially when you're. in front of the spotlight a lot can. sometimes get overwhelming. But also I. never want to believe any hype about me. or anything. I'm like I'm just a person. I never want to be someone that thinks. I'm better than anyone else. And when. you have siblings that are so close to. you, I don't think you'll ever get to. that place because your sisters will. always bring you back down, but in the. best way possible, is that something.

that rings true for you? Yeah, I think so. But I think just the. way that I grew up in the way that I do. believe in God, I don't believe in idol. worship. In fact, being in in show. business and when people kind of um you. know, it's like those of us that people. literally, you know, the way they follow. you and the girls, you know, and the way they follow me, it's like I've asked God every day, do. not let me fall under that. Let me if. somebody if they see something good in. me, let me find my way to give that.

back. So, I think you have to be very. careful. But that's why one of the. reasons I stay very humble and ask God. to keep me humble and to to keep my, you. know, all I could say my feet on a solid. ground, but with these heels, but I'm. still grounded even with these high. heels. I'm still grounded in in my faith. and in my belief. But yeah, it's you. have to you need to stand for something. good. If you're lucky enough to get in a. place of in a position to where people.

where you touch people, you reach. people, you need to do that in the right. way. Right. I agree so much. So, you've said. before that your faith has carried you. through hard times. Do you have a go-to. prayer? Are you conversational with God? Well, I talk to God like he is my in. fact sometimes instead of said, you. know, father in heaven, I say, hey, dad. So, I talk about everything. I talk out. loud. If somebody wants to see me when. I'm by myself, you know, if I get. excited about something, I'll shout and. I think, "Lord, if somebody saw me, they.

think I was totally insane.". Oh, no. I'm the same, though. I I don't. come to God just with my problems. I. thank him for everything. I'm always so. grateful. You've always walked this incredible. line. You're so deeply spiritual, but. you're also so grounded and obviously. wickedly funny and larger than life. How. has your faith shaped your relationship. with fame? And do you think that. relationship has what kept you so. grounded even with the spotlight?

It has. And I think um you know to me I. think you're going to reach more people. Somebody like us that are in a place of. power. I think there's a lot of people. out there that don't know what to think, don't know what to believe. They want to. believe in something but they don't just. you know whether they believe in God or. not. if they believe in something you're. doing and if you say something, you. know, that'll give them that hope that. there is something more. So, I really u.

I just think we are all we just have to. walk that, you know, that fine line to. to kind of try to keep it within. ourselves, but to be able to project. that, you know, to people what's there's. something going on. So, I want to know. more about that. So, I don't think it's. wrong. Although I look like a Jezebel, you know, I I want to feel like that. more people would be drawn to that than. if I came out, you know, like the. Pentecostal women I grew up with, you. know, with I always make a joke about.

you can tell a Pentecostal woman because. they got those big long bangs and their. hair and their, you know, their um. Sasquatch hairy legs and, you know, it's. like because in some but I I really. think that you can reach more people if. you're. um maybe on the edge so to speak, right? I mean, if you look one way, but you're. another, right? I mean, because it's like it's okay to. but if what you say and it goes back to. what I was saying, it's the it's your. deeds and the intent, right? and the content of your heart,

which is like the intent. But if your. intentions are good and you want to do. great and you're working toward that, then I think that sometimes people are. going to pay more attention to somebody. that looks like us. Speaking about, you. know, the way that we look and represent. ourselves, do you think the way that. you've looked or whether it be the. rhinestones or the makeup or the chest. or the hair, whatever, was that always. something intentional from you?

Well, you know what? My look. came from. a country girl's idea of glam. We didn't. have anything. I And I wasn't a natural. beauty like some of you girls are. This. isn't natural either. Well, you know, it's like I wasn't and I. I wanted to be pretty more than. anything, you know, and I wrote a song. called Backwards Barbie. I just wanted. to be pretty. I got my look actually. from the Frederick's of Hollywood. catalog that one of my aunts had and had.

to keep under the mattress like you keep. a Playboy magazine, you know, cuz you. weren't allowed to. But when I was. little, I was I thought that the most. beautiful thing. I thought that's how I. am. And then I tell the story about the. town that I grew up with in our. hometown. She was just beautiful to me. And everybody say, "Oh, she ain't. nothing but trash." And my joke about, "Well, that's what I'm going to grow up. to be." Well, I don't think I'm trash, but I like the fact that I can, you. know, be overexaggerated, have it long.

nails, but it came from a sincere place. And I feel better. My personality can shine through if I. feel like I look good. look good for me, how I feel. That's why I believe you. everybody should dress and you know. according to how they feel that fits. their personality. You've said before it takes a lot of. money to look this cheap. And that's the truth, ain't it? It it really is. Yes. No, I do. It is. And it's a clever line, but also it's an. example of how you use your humor cuz I.

also think that how people sort of come. at you with the positioning. It's not to. compliment. And it's sort of to tear you. down. And you come back with such wit. and humor. And you do it in such a way. that I think disarms the other people. that are trying to say these things. about you and there's nothing they can. do. I'll be like, "Yeah, you're right. about that." But do you think that you. use that humor as more of a shield or as. that sword to be like, "You're trying to. come at me, but I'm just going to come.

right back at you.". Some of both. Some of both. Yeah. Because I'm I'm going to always, you. know, I always know people. I I just. have I love people and I just have the. gift of discernment, too. I just can. perceive what's going on. in people's mind toward me or whatever's. going on. So, rather than just be ugly. about it, right? You know, and I'd. rather get the jump on it because it's. going to hurt my feelings if they say it. first, right? And I'm clever enough to, you know, to. turn it around. So, I guess there's some. of both. That's a double-edged sword.

right there. But it's a powerful one, and you hold. the power with it. I'm the same way. I. love to beat people to the punch. You're. not going to get me first. How do you practice self-love or. self-compassion when you're off stage? Oh, I just I like myself better than. anybody, you know. I'd rather be with me. than anybody cuz I'm comfortable with. me. I'm comfortable with who I am and. with my connection with God. I just feel. like I wouldn't have to have anything. else as long as I have that good safe.

relationship, you know. And so, uh, if I. don't like myself, I don't think anybody. else would like me either. I mean, I. don't I don't dwell on a thing like that. or a question you expect to get. But I enjoy my own company. Yeah. You know, I don't I'm not one of those. people that has to have somebody around. me all the time. In fact, I don't like. it. I mean, I have to be out in the public. and I belong to the public, but I am. such a private person and my husband was. as well. And that was the thing with us, you know, we we were so good for each.

other because he's a total loner. But we could just be in the house all. day and say two or three words, didn't. matter. Or we could talk all afternoon, lay in bed, talk at night, you know, in. the dark, you know. But. uh I think you have to be comfortable. with yourself. I think you need to make. friends with yourself, right? You need to be your own best friend. You do. And you need to like yourself better. than anybody. I just mean if you can't. be all that for you, what can you be for.

them? Right. I um I've been single for like. three and a half years, but not dating. nobody. I have two young kids and I I. was so used to being from relationship. and then, you know, getting distracted. by another guy when I broke up with. somebody else. And I've been so. intentional about now I have children. It's different dating with children, but. also I want to be alone with myself and. really like myself. The easiest thing to. do is get a new man. That doesn't.

fulfill me and I don't get to know me. But now I love being alone and love. being by myself. I'm so full and happy. So now I have to figure out how to. incorporate a man when I'm ready. But I. agree with that so much. And I genuinely. like the person I am. And I see so many. other people in my life. They can't sit. still with themselves. No, they don't. like themselves and that's why they have. to be surrounded with other people or. they tried to. be other people. They don't even know. who they are. Right. If you don't know, there's a dolly saying and you know the.

dolly quote they say that says find out. who you are and do it on purpose. Yes. You know you have to have purpose in. your life. You have to and do it with. purpose and do it on purpose. You know, you need to find out who you are because. so many people, they just well, they can. do it for a moment, but it's not going to last long cuz they. think, I got to get out of here, cuz they don't even like who they are. They don't even know who they are. You're never going to really find out if. you don't spend personal time with. yourself and with how you.

do the connection to that higher wisdom, right? Do you think one of the reasons. why you had such a long marriage is. because it was so private? It. certainly had a big um had a lot to do. with it, right? Uh we were different people. He was not. involved in the music business at all. He loved music, but he was a loner like I had said. before. He did not want a bunch of. people around him except me, you know. Of course, he had he had friends, but he. was also the same way. He'd rather be at.

the barn be on the farm all day. And if. he was going to go, you know, sell a. loader or buy a loader or or or have. somebody come work on one of his tra. trucks or tractors, you know, he'd have. to let people in, but he'd just soon be. there. But I really think that uh. there's just certain personalities that. are great for each other and we were. together 61 years. We were just so. different, but we have we're so similar. like we were we were perfect like as far.

as the temperature in the house, right? You know, it's like we didn't fight over. that cuz we both were comfortable at the. same thing. So, we just so many things. we were compatible about. and we just got along great. And I don't. know if any of you follow the signs, but. he, you know, when in the zodiac signs. on Capricorn, he was cancer. and that's supposed to be compatible. Yes. Yeah. I do like the signs. I do. use a home. body. So. So maybe I have to look for a Capricorn. cuz I'm a Cancer. I've never dated a.

Capricorn. Well, they're old goats. And. so. they're goats. They're mountain goats. That's what I thought. I have to look for that. And you know, and I think today with social media, everyone has such a need to put. everything out there. And definitely the. older I get and the more failed. relationships I get. Um my best friend. just asked me, "Do you think your next. relationship you would have it be so. public?" And I said, "No, I don't find. the need for that anymore and I want. something to be,

you know, just close to my heart.". Yeah. Well, that was the getting back to. your very first question. Uh my husband. did not want to be out there. He never. did an interview in his life. In fact, he'd be out mowing the yard on. the tractor and the fans would come by. to see our house and they'd say, uh, you. know, they'd say different things. Are. you Dolly Parton's husband? He'd say, "Do I look like I'd be Dolly Parton's. husband?" You know, he'd have on his old. straw hat and his coat, you know, his. his old work clothes and all. I didn't.

never expose him to that. I told I tell. the story that when I was early on when. I first got here, I won the song of the. year and I won a BMI award in 1966. That's the year that we got married. And he rented a tuxedo. Didn't want to. do it. I begged him to go. And then when. we were leaving that, he started taking. that off, taking off all the jacket. And. he said, "Now I want you to do great, but don't you ever ask me to go to. another one of these damn things cuz I. ain't going." And he never did. And I.

knew right then that I'm just going to. keep him private as best I can. Never. ask him to do nothing. And certainly. he's not going to volunteer, right? But he was very proud of me, of course. But he was uh you know we we. got along great because we didn't have. nothing to fight over like that. Right. Well, that's a beautiful thing. and a beautiful lesson for me. I do want. to talk about all of your business. ventures that you have and what what a. smart woman you are. Obviously, I'm so.

excited that you were gracious enough to. collab with Good American and you're. actually wearing your Jolans. I am top to bottom. Top to bottom rhinestone. Everybody. don't want these, but we have those. beautiful jeans. Yes. You know, with the, you know, that are. plain ones, the dark denim and the light. denim, and they make your butt look. good, don't they? They do. It's the stitching on the back. If you don't have a good butt, they make. it look good. And if you got a good. butt, it's amazing. No, it's the stitching on the back. It's. perfect. So, you've worn denim since you've been.

a little kid. Did you know what you. wanted to design? And just cuz we're. denim junkies, you and I. Well, we are, but that's a country girls thing growing. up with us. I was like with all the. kids, you know, there's 12 of us kids. and there was an old general store out. on the highway where my daddy used to go. or daddy and mama uh at the school when. the school was going to start and get a. pair of of denims for each of us. And that's what we wore to school. And.

so that started early, but then if you. get in, you know, as you go on, you're. you're country people, right? and you. like to wear your denims and then you. start wearing prettier denims, well cut. denims and then even now I love I'll. just live, you know, in my blue jeans. I know. as we all do. I you can put a beautiful. blouse or sweater. So when we started. talking about, you know, doing this, it. just seemed to make the most perfect. sense for it to be denim to start with. that. Yes. And everyone loves your t-shirts. It's just with your butterfly because.

everyone wants a piece of dolly. So if. they can't get the denim or whatever, the t-shirts are selling like hot cakes. Yeah, there's all kinds of pieces in. that. That's doing great. And I just. feel so proud to be in business with. you. Oh, well, I'm so honored. You got into your music career. But then. when did you start thinking that like, okay, this is a real business and I'm. going to be this business woman and I'm. going to take control and have all these. different avenues because you have your. hand in a lot of different pots. I do,

but they have to come naturally and they. do. But early on, uh, when I first came. to Nashville, you have to kind of. compromise when you're young and new in. the business. You can't just go in and. say, "I'm going to publish my own. songs." You wouldn't know how to do it. anyhow. You have to learn those things. So, every everything I did in those early. days, I watched everything everybody. did, thinking. someday I will. publish my own songs. Someday I will do.

this, do that, have my own record label, whatever. So, you're I'm like a sponge, you know? I I pick up everything that's. going on whether I'm aware of it or not. I make myself aware of doing a lot of. it, but I just naturally pick up on. things. But that was probably to answer the. question uh was really when I first came. to Nashville when I first started. thinking when I can I will. We was. talking about the Elvis thing with my. publishing. when I started I think I got. to start my own publishing company then. I felt I had enough wisdom.

and enough you know to kind of paid. enough attention to know how to do. copyrights and how to do all that so I. just think it's important if you can own. as much as yourself as you can right. well the Kardashians should know that. well we learned from you a little bit I. would say you are I like the blueprint. to it all. to get back to a little bit more what. the question you really asked cuz once. Once you get famous, once you get a. name, then you get your brand, right? You know, is what they call it, your.

brand. And if you've got a good name, good reputation, a good brand, then. other people come to you. They want you. to go into business with them because. they know that you're reputable and that. you have your following and that you're. going to be able to sell to that group. of people. And if you say it's good, they can believe that it's good. Some of. it I want to do my myself and I've. always wanted to do makeup. I've always. wanted to have all those things that we. love, right? The one thing I have not done yet is a.

line of wigs and it's the most obvious. thing ever and it's the thing that I. thought would be so successful for me, the hair pieces and bangs. and never done it. I've tried so hard so. many times and it never comes. So maybe. if I ever do it, it'll either be a big. success. Oh, I think it would be a big. war that everybody was doing. I thought. I need to have a lot of work. You do. And what's stopping you? Well, I'm trying with all these. different people. We can never really. seem to get the right, you know, the.

company or or whatever. But I will. I. will. Uh but that's the one thing that I. have not want done. That's so interesting. That I have wanted to do. It's one of. those things where something's keeping. it from happening. But I the way that I. believe I think, well, maybe it's. because the bigger one's going to come. and it'll be Yeah. Whatever. Well, God's timing. Yeah. I do want to talk about Imagination. Library. Yes. It is so beautiful. Imagination Library. has now delivered over 200 million books.

around the world to children that don't. have access to books. And did you ever. in a million years think that. Imagination Library would be as big as. it is? No, I did not. Um, I'm so happy that it. is. And it started, I'm sure you've. heard this story, that I started just in. my own home county. I wanted my dad to. get involved in it cuz daddy couldn't. read and write. As a lot of country. people in rural areas, you got to go to. work. You got to work the fields to feed.

the rest of the family because most of. those people come from very big. families. And so, uh, that just always. was, you know, hindered him. I mean, he. he was the smartest person I ever knew, but he was embarrassed for the fact. So, I wanted to start that a little program. in our home county where we could, you. know, give books to children, you know, from the time they were born till they. started school so they could learn to. read in those most impressionable years. Got my dad involved in it. And then we. were doing really good. You know, I was. just thinking it would just be there.

maybe a few counties over and then. Tennessee, the governor at the time, Governor Phil Bredesen, he got wind of. it and he thought, "This is a really. good little program." So, we took it. statewide. Next thing you know, we're in. Canada. Next thing you know, we're here, we're there, and now we're in places all. over the world, and we just it's just. doing great. Do you ever hear from. adults that grew up with Imagination. Library and like what that does for. them? Yeah, they love it. One of the cutest.

things I love though is when they when. they age out, you know, when they start school, they. don't get their books anymore. And they write me, they want to still. get the books. And so we've always thought, well, what. can we do? So maybe eventually since the. program is so good, we've often thought. that we might start doing some different. things for different age groups and then. I have met some of the children cuz this. is like almost 30 years old right when. we started it. So every now and then.

somebody will come up to me and said you. know what I used to be in the. Imagination Library and they'll bring. their little kids and now their kids are. in the program or their grandkids and it. just keeps going on and it makes me feel. happy and proud. I bet. And in honor of your father, I always think of daddy. Yeah. You know, anytime like when I, you know, went to, you know, different things, I. go to Washington to read, you know, at. the Library of Congress, read to the. kids, it's just like daddy, they don't. see daddy there,

right? But I just, you know, I just kind of. feel him right there. What do you imagine or wish for in the. future? Not only for yourself, but for. others and like the legacy you're. leaving behind. Well, I just want. everybody to find themselves. I want. everybody to be able to um to do the. best at what it is they dream of doing. And you've got to understand that if. you're if you feel that you've got the. talent, whatever it may be, and if.

you're willing to work for it, you know, I wrote a song called. Sacrifice. It's also in my my musical, my life story that tells so much. is my. journey from my little girl self, my. dreams as a child all the way up to now. But it's talking about, you know, it's. like empty or full. I've carried my. pale, but you don't drink the water if. you don't dig the well, you know, it's like little lines like. that. It's like with so many things you. sacrifices, but I was going to be rich.

no matter how much it cost. And I was. going to win no matter how much I lost. And all through the years, I've kept my. eye on the prize. But you ask if it's. worth the sacrifice. And I reckon it is. But you've got to be willing to know. that you're going to have to compromise. and you're going to have to sacrifice. But never sacrifice the things that are. the most meaningful to you. But you got. to work your butt off. Yes. I think people always think, "Oh, if I pray for something or if something.

is even handed to me on a silver. platter, you still have to work." I. don't think people realize that all of. this there is a lot behind it. They. don't know that's true. They get mad at. God because they pray and the prayer. ain't answered, right? Well, God's willing to help them that's. willing to help themselves. He'll give you a hand. Yes. You know, and even times, but you can't, you know, you a dream is a dream and you got to. work it. Like I always said, you got to. put legs and arms and wings and eyes and.

ears on that. And a dream is different. than a wish. I mean, wish is like a. fantasy thing. You can make a wish all. day and wish on a star and all that, but. in order to make that a reality, you've. got to really do all those things where. we talk about where you got to gather. all those things. to put faith. That's what faith is. Mhm. And what is next for you? I don't know. I'll wake up tomorrow and. I'll see whatever God has in mind and. whatever I feel that I can tackle.

I love that. And he'll do that. But yeah, I never. know because I got to finish the things. I've already got in the works. But my. life is I always look at my life like. it's been like a a tree, you know, that. had roots, deep roots, then it had all. the limbs, then it had all the, you know, the. little leaves that you know, everything. branches out to something else, right? And it goes back to where you're talking. about your brand or it goes back to your.

dreams because I know God's going to. give me something else. And I'm I try to. leave myself wide open. I try to keep. myself very private in my in my world. so I can hear what I'm supposed to know. Yeah. And that I can act on it and then I'll. go for it and I'll work it to death. I think that's the beauty of life is. sort of the unknown. It's the scary. part, but also the beauty. You never. know. Scared me. Excited to me. Yeah. I love that.

Well, thank you so much for letting me. invade your space, come to Tennessee for. my first time and have you on Chloe and. Wonderland. It's on. This has been a. dream of mine and I'm just so thankful. and grateful. Well, let me say thank you for doing. this and thank you for being a fan. and thank you for being all that you are. to people. You've made a lot of. difference in a lot of people's lives. So these kind of things I think help. people. Yes. You know, so they can follow their. dreams to see that dreams can come true.

They do come true. But like you said, you've got there's a lot more that goes. on than just these hats and those. rhinestones with the We've been working. it, ain't we, girl? Yes, we have. So, thank you. Well, thank you.