Dolly Parton

A Reason To Smile

Credit: Getty Images

Dolly Parton is a national treasure, no question. Or as they say these days, “full stop.” She is this week’s reason to smile. Honestly, I smile every time I hear one of her songs.

Parton is a singer, actor, musician, and songwriter, but it is songwriting that she professes to be her true “joy.” She has written upward of 3,000 songs during her 60-plus year career.

“I love feeling like that I can create something, to leave something in the world today that wasn’t there yesterday,” Parton said recently on Khloe Kardashian’s podcast.

She also revealed that she has struggled with writing since she lost her husband in March. “Carl and I spent many wonderful years together. Words can’t do justice to the love we shared for over 60 years,” Parton said in a statement. She promised she is keeping busy and said she will get back to writing soon.

I have had the great privilege and honor of interviewing Parton on more than one occasion. We have bonded over many things, including our love of train songs. During our last chat, we talked about one of my favorite songs of hers, “Blue Smoke,” which happens to be a train tune.

“Gettin’ on that train, gettin’ outta here. It’s like, ‘This relationship is goin’ nowhere, so I’m gonna jump on that heartbreak train, you know, Blue Smoke, and get on out,’” Parton explained to me.

“Blue Smoke” is bluegrass. For a native of the Tennessee mountains like Parton, bluegrass music feels like home. It’s had a huge influence on her songwriting and her sound. Parton says bluegrass is authentic music that connects with people on a deep level, especially “Blue Smoke.”

“It’s kinda got some bluegrass flavors, bluegrass harmonies, which I love. But it just seemed to be right. Blue Smoke kind of reminds me of bluegrass and the blue smoke that rises from the Smoky Mountains here. But the song kinda moves along. I think people identify with it.”

For all of us Dolly fans, some good news: She recently announced a Las Vegas residency, scheduled for December. If I can get there, I’ll be in the front row. Smiling.

If you want to enjoy all the songs chosen for A Reason To Smile, you can listen to this Spotify playlist, which is updated weekly.

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Stay Steady,

Dan