Dolly Parton Shares Her Best Life Advice with Reese Witherspoon | Shine On

Dear Dolly. >> Dear America. >> Dear Pink. >> They're so fun. >> Cheers. >> Cheers. >> I'm doing a show highlighting powerful. ambitious women in different fields. >> Let's [music] go back to the top of the. frame. >> Okay, how did I do? >> And I would love to share with you what. makes these women so inspirational to. me. Last week. >> [music]. >> If I was trying to describe myself, if. no one had ever seen me,

I would say outrageous, gaudy, friendly, uh warm, likable, but really. weird-looking. >> [music and singing]. [music]. [singing]. >> You know how like kids feel about Mickey. Mouse and Minnie Mouse? Like they go to. Disneyland and they think, "Oh my gosh, there's Minnie Mouse." And it's. the most extraordinary.

person they could meet in their life. That's how I, as a grown-up woman, feel. about Dolly Parton. >> Hi, get in here. >> Oh my goodness. >> I don't know so. My goodness. >> gosh. >> Come on in. Who knew this was going to be a snow. day? >> So exciting. >> Let me fix your hair. >> Okay, thank you. >> Put your head on. >> Let me take care of my hair. >> Yeah, you look good. I'm making. breakfast. Come on in here. >> Oh my gosh, I'm so excited.

>> With a career [music] spanning six. decades, this 47-time Grammy nominee and. country music Hall of Famer is one of. the most honored female artists of our. time. She's one of [music] the kindest, warmest, and smartest women I know. >> get better than that. >> I had this idea to do a show about women. that I really. just love, admire. I love what they're. doing in their own industry, in their. discipline, um their journey to become a.

strong woman within that industry. And. of course one of the first people I. thought of was Dolly. Because um no one, you know, in in. country music has gone through more. different iterations of. um of being a business woman. And. success isn't limited. And I think. sometimes people think, "Okay, well. there's only a certain amount of success. and if she gets it, I won't." But I just. don't think that's true. >> No, I think it's very helpful. In fact, I I know that was true outside the.

business in my own life. It was like. that with my sisters and I and my aunts. and my grandmas and my mom. You know, we. just had this whole world of women that. kind of stuck stuck together. [music]. The women in the church, I can remember. going through things, we were stronger. together. And I think that has carried. [music] on with me. through the years in my career. I always. think back on that strength of women. [music]. >> I remember being little. I I remember. this is so vivid.

>> little. >> Okay, well, short. I was [music] in. kindergarten skipping rope. And I always was kind of a loner and I. was always singing to myself. I [music]. had big dreams. And in my my PE teacher. said to me, "Reese, what do you want to. be when you grow up?" And I said, [music] "I'm going to be Dolly Parton.". And I meant it. I was not I didn't even. blink. And she said, "You're going to be. Dolly Parton?" And I said, "Mhm. I'm. going to be famous like Miss Dolly. Parton and she's from Tennessee and if. she can do it, then I can do it.". >> Well, you certainly did it with or. without me for sure. I've been in this.

business for 60 years. I started singing. when I was 10. So, it's just really been. a journey, you know, being brought up. poor and country. I barely got through. high school, never went to college, but. I had my dreams early on. I knew what I. wanted to do. I grew up way up in we. call it up in the holler in the Great. Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee. We were really just poor country people. We had a house full of kids. There's 12. of us in all. We are in order. Willadeene, David, Denver, Dolly, Bobby, [music] Stella, Cassie, Randy, Larry,

Floyd, Freida, and Rachel. And in my. early days, we didn't even have running. water unless we'd run and get it. We. worked our own fields, grew our own. food, canned our own food, and raised. our own hogs. [music] It was hard. And. my daddy was strict. Daddy didn't want. me getting out in the world. >> Yeah. >> He didn't even want me to go to school. >> He was afraid of the world? >> But that wasn't in a bad way. He just. was afraid something bad was going to. happen to his girls. But mom knew that I. had a strength. She knew I knew what I. wanted and who I was. [music]. >> Yeah. >> So she'd fight for me a lot when I'd. want to go places daddy didn't want me.

to go. To sing, like to Nashville with. my Uncle Bill. We would sleep in the car. and that was our. >> [music]. >> our room. My bedroom was the back seat. and his was the front seat. And then. [laughter] I I'd wash my hair in the. filling [music] station bathrooms and. put makeup on in the side mirror of the. car. And that was just how you did it. >> Wow. So you learned to do all your hair. and makeup and all that stuff by. yourself. >> Oh, yeah. >> How did you learn to do all that when. they didn't have YouTube and tutorials. and all that? >> Oh, you don't need to learn a lot to. know how to learn how to tease hair. And.

early on, I wanted to my hair bleached. >> Mhm. >> And I remember one time when I first. bleached my hair, I was reading on the. bottle and it said to. uh be careful. Said do not get in eyes. To do so may cause blindness. >> Uh-huh. >> So anyway, I was we put the bleach on. and so we was at the well, my sister was. rinsing it out and she was pouring water. over my head and it was getting in my. eyes and I remember just I said, "I. don't get this in my eyes. To do so may. cause blindness.". >> [laughter]. >> And I was trying to get it out. I was. just thinking, "I may look pretty, but I.

won't be able to see it cuz I'll be. blind." [laughter]. And so I was like, "I didn't want to be. blind. I wanted to be blonde.". >> Yeah. >> [laughter]. >> Oh my gosh. Did record companies ever. try to get you to change your look or. >> Yes. I was 18 [music] when I came here. >> [snorts]. >> And so. >> on. You were 18 when you came to. Nashville. >> got when I moved here for good. I. graduated from high school on a Friday. night, came here on [music] a Saturday. morning. >> Wow. >> And uh started working with Fred Foster. who owned Monument Records and Combine. Music. I was young and I was country and.

so they were trying to classy me up a. little. They thought, "Well, maybe they. can make me into a teenage star.". >> [music]. >> So, they got a hair stylist and makeup. artist and clothes. Lord, I felt so. uncomfortable. And I wasn't pretty. I. did not like the way I looked. My hair. was flat and my I wanted my I wanted. more makeup. >> I hate when my hair is flat. >> Oh, I hate when. >> I just can't stand it. >> I just hated that that look. And I did a. few records, [music] teenybopper kind of.

songs. >> Yeah. >> And they didn't do anything. I thought, "Oh, I don't want to be this I don't. want to be [music] this I don't want to. be this. You got to let me sing. country." Well, I think it's wonderful. to have ambition. You got to get out and. work, too. I mean, a lot of women can. kind of hide behind a lot of stuff and. just use the excuse that I didn't make. it cuz I was a girl. Well, you can make. it if you'll get out and be willing to. sacrifice and work for it. Ain't no man. going to stop you if you've got the. talent. You might have to work a little. harder in your area, but it can be done. And I am a prime example. I was 20 years.

old when I started with the Porter Wagon. Show. Porter had the number one country. [music] syndicated television show at. that time. I mean, I was making no money. and he said, "Well, I can pay you. $60,000 a year." And I thought that was. more money [music]. than I had ever heard of. But the. unfortunate thing is it never changed. >> [laughter]. >> Even after I got to be a star on the. show cuz I was writing songs and so the. more popular I got, the more popular the. show got and we got and we. >> your salary didn't change. >> but my I kept saying, "You know, don't.

you think I need a raise?". >> Was it hard to get the courage to say. that? >> Oh, yeah, it was hard. >> Your boss at the time? >> a lot and he was very strong-willed. But. I acted like I was talking to one of my. uncles or one One brothers and saying, "You're not pushing me around.". >> Right. Yeah. >> I'm a songwriter and I ain't a girl. singer forever. I was out to be a solo. artist. And I was still want to have my. own band. I want to have my own show. I. want to have my own life. I don't want. to just be the girl singer in somebody. else's group. And that's when I wrote I. will always love you. >> [snorts]. >> So, I went back the next morning and I I.

said, "Sit down. I have something I want. to. play for you.". So, I sang I will always love you and. Porter was crying. He said, "That's the. best song you ever wrote. Uh okay, you. can go. But I have to produce the song.". And so, it was a couple years later, but.

it was all right because that's how you. you learn to maneuver. I am first and. foremost a songwriter. You know, I've. been writing since I was seven, serious. songs. Loving my family and writing. about those days keeps me sane in an. insane world. And anytime I get homesick. or lonesome when I'm out on tour or in. other countries, I can just get my. guitar and sing about home and just. takes me back there. My daddy always. said, "Now, try to keep as much as your. own stuff as you can." So, as soon as I. could, I started my own publishing.

company. Years later, Elvis was. recording here and I knew the people. that were producing him. So, they called. me two or three weeks before. >> Yeah. >> and said, "Elvis is recording. You want. to come down and meet him cuz he's going. to record I Will Always Love You." And I. thought, "Oh my god." And I told. everybody. You know, >> [laughter]. >> I was so excited and I was going to go. to the session and meet Elvis and all. that. And then, just like a a day. before, I got a call from he was saying, "Now, you know we don't record anything with.

Elvis unless he has the publishing.". >> Yeah, hold. >> I said, "Well, I I do that." I said, "Cuz I've already had a number one song. on it and it's my most important. copyright. >> Right. >> And he said, well then we can't record. it. And I cried all night. I was so. upset about it. But I thought, you know, I can't do it. I can't even do it for. Elvis. Priscilla told me later he was. very disappointed. And she told me how. much he loved the song. When they. divorced, that when they were leaving. the courthouse, she told me that he was. singing that song in her ear.

>> Oh, so good thing that you maintained. the rights to I will always love you. because. >> [laughter]. >> then what happened? >> When the Bodyguard movie came out, Kevin. Costner sent word, you know, can can you. send us that song because they were. looking for the perfect love song. So, I. sent it out, totally forgot all about. it. >> [snorts]. >> And then I was driving home and all of a. sudden I hear this sound on the radio. It was like she how she started that. acapella. Like, "And I. should stay." I thought my heart was. going to bust. I had to pull over. Unless I should wreck. It was the most. overwhelming feeling I've ever had.

>> And that was Whitney Houston singing. your song. >> Whitney. She took it to so many levels. To think that my little song, my little. heartfelt heartbreaking song could be. that big. I felt like that I had arrived. as a as a writer. >> But you look at it and and over time, like that's of course that was such a. savvy thing to do. But I do think, I'm. sure you've had through your [music]. career many times where people said, "Well, I just think maybe I'll try and. she's not as smart [music] as she thinks. she is." Or and I that's always been.

such an inspiration to me because I. always thought, [music] no matter where. you come from, it's inside of you. >> Yeah. Well, I got that strength from my. dad. My dad was a hard worker. My dad. was not educated at all. My daddy. couldn't even read and write, but he was. so smart. You've got [music] to not just. trust everybody. You can trust them to a. degree, but you got to keep that thing. like inside you that says. that don't feel right to me. I'm not. that's not how that should be. [music]. >> But I wanted to talk to you a little bit. about, you know, I've been I came here. like 6, 7 [music] years ago to this.

house and I said, Dolly, I think I'm. going to start a company for making. movies for women and television shows. for women cuz there's just not enough. parts. And I remember sitting there and. you saying, I think it's a good idea and. if you ever need my help, you were so. sweet and I was like, yes, I need your. help and support. >> I love working with the men, you know, the movies I've done, but my most. success have been like with Steel. Magnolias with all those great women. And then of course, let's not forget 9. to 5. >> Which is such an anthem for female.

empowerment and that we're stronger. together. 9 to 5 is such a classic. movie, but women now are dealing with so. much of harassment in the workplace and. do you think things have changed since 9. to 5? >> Well, not changed enough, I don't think, but I really think it threw a light on. it back then at times and I think a lot. of things were greatly improved because. of that. But people don't realize there. are many good men, then you know what. I'm talking about. You've worked with a. lot of wonderful, wonderful men. But. there are some that just won't give you. a break. There are just some that think. because they are a man that they can.

take advantage or because they are the. boss. >> I do believe too, it's a moment for. women to stand up, but honestly, we need. balance in the world. >> We got to have our men. We got to have. good men doing that and there are so. many more good men than bad. It's just. that the bad ones need to be pointed out. and we got to learn to stand up a little. more as women. So, any way that we can. help is good. >> You're very genuine in everything that. you do. And I think it comes from, you. know, your background and. um you know, my favorite song is Coat of.

Many Colors. >> Oh, yeah. >> as a little girl, I would listen to it. and I thought no matter where you're. from, your life matters, your story is. important. I think a lot of people think. out there like, how am I ever going to. get ahead, but I look at you and I think. about your story and what your mother. made this coat out of little pieces of. of fabric. >> That little song is more than a song. It's about an attitude, a philosophy. It's about, you know, it's it's about. the bullying, you know, that we made it. into a children's story about how. accepting people as they are and for.

their differences and not to make fun. and not to laugh and that you're only. poor if you choose to be meaning you can. be rich in spirit, you can be rich in. thought, you can be rich in talent, you. can be rich in all those wonderful. things. So, that little song means a. great deal to me and it's meant a lot to. a lot of people. When I wore that little. coat to school, kids would just say, "That ain't nothing but rags. That ain't. nothing but scraps." You know, that's. just a ragged old coat and it's even. faded and it's not even new cloth. It.

broke my heart that they were actually. making fun of me. But, maybe if God had. his hand in that because now I'm able to. be in a position where I can help other. people and certainly my family. >> [singing]. [music]. [music]. [singing].

>> My nails are a little long today, but. it's so pretty. You want to hold it? Yeah. Okay, pick it. >> [laughter]. >> Oh, you learned to play the autoharp. because of June. Did you know June Carter? Yes, I knew. her very well. And Johnny? Yeah, when I. do my life story you may have to I.

better get after it so I said I got to. get me a just get a bigger boob job. We can work on that part. But, when I. was a kid myself, I used to when I was a. teenager. >> Yeah. >> I used to steal the shoulder pads out of. my grandma's winter coat and I would use. them to put in my bra to push my boobs. up before they had those push-up bras. >> [laughter]. >> So, we do what we got to do. One of my. favorite songs that I've written is. called backwards Barbie. It was kind of. about the way I looked. It's like I'm. just a backwards Barbie. Too much. makeup, too much hair, but don't be. fooled by thinking that the goods are.

not all there. Don't let these false. eyelashes lead you to believe that I'm. as phony as I look cuz I run true and. deep. Don't judge a book by the cover. cuz I'm a real good book. I started a. program called Imagination Library uh 22. years ago, I guess. I started because of. my dad who couldn't read and write and. he just felt crippled about that. We. weren't allowed to to have books in the. house cuz we had so many kids. We. weren't allowed to bring books home from. school uh because the kids would chew on.

them, pee on them, and get food on them, whatever. And Daddy said, "I can't. afford to pay for no books, so don't. bring no books home for no homework or. none of that stuff." What's good about. this little program? They get the book. that comes in the mail with their own. little name. >> Aw. >> So, they go to the mailbox every month. They wait for that book. So, we we love. the fact that it's we just can't get. enough books in the hands of enough. children. >> I love that. [music] That's such good. work in the world. >> I grew up poor and ragged, just a simple country girl.

I wanted. >> Oh, yeah. This is where they are. >> More than anything. >> What? >> Which one do you want to wear? >> Oh my god. >> Well, here. >> Okay, I have to hold this. >> You better put [music]. >> Okay, let me put my keys in my pocket. Hold on. Hold on. >> Cuz. Just feel this. >> Wow. >> [laughter]. >> Isn't that beautiful? But. >> Oh my god. >> Uh even this one um. What was that? >> Oh my gosh, Dolly. >> That's okay. That happens all the time.

>> There's. >> [laughter]. >> If they don't tear up my clothes. They'll come in my house and tear up my. stuff. >> Oh, sorry. Your original costumes. No, it's just. >> No, these are things you have. >> imagine Dolly Parton's closet opens and. sequins come flying out. >> did. >> [laughter]. >> Actually, that happens all the time. Sometimes when I'm on stage, [music] I'm. always popping beads and stuff and and. they go sweep them up and they put them. they give them back to us where we sew. them on and they call them Dolly. Droppings. >> Like a rabbit.

>> Yeah. [laughter]. >> What's your fashion inspiration? >> Fashion? >> What makes you feel beautiful? >> Well, just God and the glitter. >> Yeah. >> and color or not color. Just whatever. I. mean, I like my clothes fit me. >> Yeah. >> good. I buy them two size I buy them. size two small and then I have them. taken in. >> Okay. Is that right? >> [laughter]. >> You That was a joke. >> Okay. >> [music]. >> Come into my little church, my little.

chapel. >> Oh, how sweet. >> This is where I have to come when I get. overwhelmed with everything else or if I. just want to pray. >> [music and singing]. >> I don't know if you remember this, but. you told me a story. >> [music]. >> a long time ago about a man that came to. your church. He pulled you out and he. said this child is special or these. children are special. >> wasn't a lady. That was a woman. >> A woman, okay. >> was yeah and she she prayed all the.

time. >> Yeah. >> And she was kind of like a a psychic and. I was little. >> [music]. >> and she put her hands on me and she was. praying and she said, "This child is. anointed." And she would like shake. She was like a Pentecostal. She said, "This child is anointed." Of course. after church and said, "That just means. God has his hand on you.". >> Mhm. >> And that you might do great things. >> Wow. >> So, I was always yeah. >> story. It sounds like you've always. [music] had that guiding light inside of. you. >> Oh, I'm no angel. Heaven knows. I mean,

you [music] know, what I ain't done, I'll probably will do, but I don't mean. to. Yeah, I try to be better all the. time, but I do have faith and it really. helps me and sometimes I do get weary. [music] from life and family. I go a. little crazy from all the lunacy. It's. not that I'm not grateful, but all in. all it gets a little much some days. You. know, that's [music] when I have to stop. and I pray for love and guidance and you. know, and help along the way. >> I love [music] what you said in your. concert, just last concert that I saw. you in, where you talk about dream more,

learn more. >> Oh, dream more, care more, do more, be. more? I wrote a song 22 years ago called. try. And it's it's really about just you. try be the first one up the mountain. You know, it's like just try to make the. most of every moment. And if you fail, just get up and try again. >> Well, I wanted to tell [music] you. Dolly, I'm going to get emotional but I. just you've inspired me so much. You continue to inspire me. [music] I've. always wanted to be more like you. >> Well, don't be like me, be like you, but.

>> I'll be me, but you do inspire me and I. think you inspire so [music] many people. out there with your positivity and your. the warmth and the kindness just comes. off of you cuz. >> [music]. >> it's real and um. >> Well, I try. >> Well, >> Well, thank you. It's like I've chased. after rainbows. I've captured one or. two. >> Yeah. >> And I've reached for the stars and I've. even held a few. >> [music]. >> I've walked that lonesome valley, you. know, atop the mountain, soared the. skies. I've laughed and I've cried but. I've always tried. >> Well, I love you Dolly.

>> I love you. >> Thank you for sharing. >> Thank you. >> It touches me. >> to to know when. that I'm an inspiration. It makes you. feel like you've you've done something. right cuz you don't really know in your. life. how you're going to be seen or. remembered. And I look back and then I. still [music] see that my music seems to. be important and that young women. especially, which I love that, that they. can look to me to say, Dolly had the. strength to do it or she got through it. That's really humbling and it makes me.

feel proud and I just thank God for it. >> I see you. >> Oh.

>> [music and bell]. >> Oh.