I agree. I just watched Reinventing Elvis, and Tom Parker was really all about himself, and money. After seeing the movie, Elvis went from a come back, to a death at 42, all because of Parker
My older brother in Arizona and I were discussing just what scoundrel Elvis was in so many areas of his life. We agreed that Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Charlie Rich had a greater impact from the Sun Records label of Sam Phillips. Elvis appropriated (stole) a lot if his shtick and never acknowledged that fact, then he became something of a self-parody. I know that's gonna ruffle dome feathers, but do I lie?
Dolly has always been one of my favorite country artists, both for her songwriting talent and for being such a moral person for our world. She also has Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. I’ve signed up my youngest granddaughter and she receives a free book each month until she is five years old. Thank you Mr. Rather for highlighting such a warm, joyful, giving individual.
Thank you Dan. I have heard both Dolly’s and Whitney’s versions and they are both so beautiful and bittersweet. This is one of a very few songs that I smile while tearing up at the words and melody.
Parton is great but I hated to hear Elvis wouldn’t sing unless he commandeered half the writing credits. He didn’t need anything and it wasn’t true that he helped write the song. Maybe a Col. Parker move but it disappointed me.
Makes sense to me but, it’s a damn shame such a talent as Elvis was treated so poorly and could not stand up for himself. Col Parker was an evil and unfair man, who undoubtedly would have kept these “writing royalties” anyway.
Thank you for this big reason to smile!! I love Dolly Parton and find her to be one of the most inspiring people ever. I knew that she wrote “I Will Always Love You” and “Jolene” on the same day. One of the many amazing things about Dolly. How wonderful that you’ve had the pleasure of interviewing her many times, Dan.❤️
I was fortunate to spend a week working with Dolly, she’s a delight to be around. I was also one of the cameramen that filmed Whitney singing “I Will Always Love You” on “The Bodyguard” which was the key moment of the film. Like Dan I was lucky to spend 30+ years working with talented people that were inspiring which included Dan, for 3 or 4 days.
Wow, Dick, what a circle of life moment it must have been for you to read this post of Steady. I love the connectivity you provided; thank you for sharing with us...made me smile.
We were filming “A Time To Kill” in Jackson MS, it was based on a novel by John Grisham who was with us at that time, Dan and his crew were there to interview Grisham. Dan and his crew were not part of the movie itself, but were probably symbiotically part of it’s marketing strategy.
Dan, I'm with you in your admiration for Dolly Parton. And she's really distinguished herself across the decades with her generosity to others less fortunate. A model. I wish more who could would choose to follow in her foot steps. We'd all be better off if that were the case.
Dear Mr. Rather, once again, thank you for your words. Reading your essays are such a beautiful way to start my day. This one especially touched my heart. Dolly, sweet Dolly ! ❤️💕❤️💕
YEAH, Dolly!
Way to GO, not letting elvis do you dirty like that!!!!!
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
AND: Dolly has so much class, investing her royalties like that.
I love Dolly Parton.
🪻💐
Actually, it was probably the crook Tom Parker who tried to cheat her, as opposed to Elvis himself.
I agree. I just watched Reinventing Elvis, and Tom Parker was really all about himself, and money. After seeing the movie, Elvis went from a come back, to a death at 42, all because of Parker
Yep, the colonel was a crook through & through
😲
Ah. Thank you for the point of clarification.
THat I believe
I agree
It was.
My older brother in Arizona and I were discussing just what scoundrel Elvis was in so many areas of his life. We agreed that Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Charlie Rich had a greater impact from the Sun Records label of Sam Phillips. Elvis appropriated (stole) a lot if his shtick and never acknowledged that fact, then he became something of a self-parody. I know that's gonna ruffle dome feathers, but do I lie?
Thanks, Mr. Rather, for an uplifting piece abt Dolly Parton during these divisive & dark times that we're living thru.
Also, the back story about Elvis is interesting. I never knew of her gutsy decision to keep the rights to her own stellar song. Good for her!
Dolly Parton is an example of the kind of person that we should all aspire to! Her latest album Rockstar is fabulous!!!
Totally agree, Dolly is someone to emulate!!
Dolly has always been one of my favorite country artists, both for her songwriting talent and for being such a moral person for our world. She also has Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. I’ve signed up my youngest granddaughter and she receives a free book each month until she is five years old. Thank you Mr. Rather for highlighting such a warm, joyful, giving individual.
Thank you! I couldn’t remember the name of the free book program. She’s a true gift to this world, huh??? 💜💜💜
Is it Imagination Library?
I’m sure if you google Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library you will find it.
AGREED!!
One of our BEST people!!
It sends shivers down my spine especially when Houston sings it, it was truly meant for her…and Dolly is an amazing human being! Thank you Dan.
Dolly is a national treasure. Her humanity and love never take a backseat to her talent.
She's a national treasure!
Yep gotta love Dolly!🥰
Thank you for this Dan. She is a remarkable, strong lady and a remarkable talent. I really enjoy her movie roles too: Steel Magnolias and 9 to 5.
Yes! Great actress to go with that unique voice — and soul.
Thank you Dan. I have heard both Dolly’s and Whitney’s versions and they are both so beautiful and bittersweet. This is one of a very few songs that I smile while tearing up at the words and melody.
Parton is great but I hated to hear Elvis wouldn’t sing unless he commandeered half the writing credits. He didn’t need anything and it wasn’t true that he helped write the song. Maybe a Col. Parker move but it disappointed me.
I read somewhere else it WAS a Col. Parker move.
Makes sense to me but, it’s a damn shame such a talent as Elvis was treated so poorly and could not stand up for himself. Col Parker was an evil and unfair man, who undoubtedly would have kept these “writing royalties” anyway.
You can't just blame Parker, Elvis let it happen. And on the night he was going to record it...yep thats pure BS
wrong about this one. Parker was not a nice person and had too much control of Elvis career
It was.
It was definitely a Colonel Parker decision. & Dolly being the savvy business woman she is turned him down flat!
It disappointed me too. So grateful Dolly as a talented woman said no. It is very difficult to do so in that world. She so inspires me.
That was my first thought, typical of Parker, not Elvis. Not a huge Elvis fan but I don’t think of him as greedy. ☹️
My thoughts too!
It sounds like Parker. Remember he had a lot of power and say in Elvis Presley career.
He had all the power. He practically killed him with all those drugs
Thank you for this big reason to smile!! I love Dolly Parton and find her to be one of the most inspiring people ever. I knew that she wrote “I Will Always Love You” and “Jolene” on the same day. One of the many amazing things about Dolly. How wonderful that you’ve had the pleasure of interviewing her many times, Dan.❤️
She is pure class!!
Thank you Dan. What a gift Dolly Parton is.
I was fortunate to spend a week working with Dolly, she’s a delight to be around. I was also one of the cameramen that filmed Whitney singing “I Will Always Love You” on “The Bodyguard” which was the key moment of the film. Like Dan I was lucky to spend 30+ years working with talented people that were inspiring which included Dan, for 3 or 4 days.
Wow! What a wonderful life you have had!
Wow, Dick, what a circle of life moment it must have been for you to read this post of Steady. I love the connectivity you provided; thank you for sharing with us...made me smile.
It made me smile too, it brought back many memories, Dolly is a treasure to be sure. 🙏
You were BLESSED!!!
What did you do with Dan Rather?
We were filming “A Time To Kill” in Jackson MS, it was based on a novel by John Grisham who was with us at that time, Dan and his crew were there to interview Grisham. Dan and his crew were not part of the movie itself, but were probably symbiotically part of it’s marketing strategy.
What luck!
The song that, for the rest of my life, will be a clarion call. One that defines me...that simply has no equal.
Dan, I'm with you in your admiration for Dolly Parton. And she's really distinguished herself across the decades with her generosity to others less fortunate. A model. I wish more who could would choose to follow in her foot steps. We'd all be better off if that were the case.
Truly Dolly issomeone to emulate!!
Dear Mr. Rather, once again, thank you for your words. Reading your essays are such a beautiful way to start my day. This one especially touched my heart. Dolly, sweet Dolly ! ❤️💕❤️💕
Thank you for sharing. She's simply amazing.