She was an incredibly generous, kind, and talented person. A national treasure ... The transformation of Sevierville from poverty to a thriving destination that employs thousands of people, her Imagination Foundation that puts millions of books into the hands of children, and all her other philanthropic ventures (and many more gifts given anonymously), are all testament to a generous, kind soul.
My wife frequently interacted with Dolly when she was on RCA records. Dolly was known for always being nice to everyone ...
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This is the true story of how Dolly didn't end up - like so many female country singers of that time - playing little county fairs and fading into obscurity after she'd left her recording partner Porter Wagoner:
A friend of mine, Ron Bledsoe, who owned lots of radio stations at the time and had been president of a label here, was visiting Mac Davis at the Spence Manor, a boutique hotel on Music Row. when Dolly, a friend of both, rang the room. They invited her up.
She told them she'd just left Porter and was about to sign with an iffy manager/booking agent and launch a solo career. Ron said she got weepy at the prospect, but her options were limited as a female singer back in the 70's, when they weren't taken seriously.
Mac Davis picked up the phone and called his manager in L.A., the legendary music manager, Sandy Gallin, who made household names of artists like Mac Davis and Neil Diamond as well as managing others like Michael Jackson and Mariah Carey.
Sandy Gallin also happened to be gay, which proved to be important later on in this story.
Ron and Mac arranged a meeting in L.A., and Ron, who was also a friend of Gallin's, flew out with Dolly.
As Ron told it, Dolly pleaded with Sandy to manage her. He said, "I wouldn't know the first thing about managing a country artist," etc, fending off her pleas. Dolly kept pleading with him to no avail.
Finally, Sandy said, "Since you're out here, why don't you come to a party at my house tomorrow night?" He'd just completed a renovation on another mansion in Holmbly Hills and was hosting a large party to celebrate the completion with 200 gay and straight friends.
Party Night:
A large crowd of Sandy's friends and music business associates (many of them gay, like Sandy) were there when Ron said he heard a gasp as all eyes turned to the top of the grand staircase.
There stood Dolly, wearing a full length gown onto which she'd sown buttons over ever square inch. When she reached the bottom of the grand staircase dozens of gay men surrounded her, fascinated, and fawning over her. Sandy thought, "hm, we might have something here," thinking of other acts like Bette Midler and Cher.
Sandy ended up asking Dolly to move into his house so she'd be in L.A., making it easier to get started working together. Dolly lived in his mansion for well over a year. He set her up with a personal trainer to get her in shape, began discussing ideas for a more modern career, and planned. He got her on Carson, Carol Burnett, and other L.A. based TV shows.
He also convinced her to record "Here You Come Again," which was a huge smash and elevated her into the wider music world.
PICTURED BELOW: Sandy Gallin & Dolly Parton when she lived in his mansion (1976):
"those who denigrate military service."
You denigrate your own military service, sailorboy. No one else is needed.