Photo Credit: © Mary Alice Lovelace
Dolly Parton's Pure & Simple tour is off and running, thanks to the overwhelming love she received from fans on opening weekend. As the tour winds its way across the United States and Canada, Dolly will take the stage sharing stories, singing songs and entertaining her fans night after night.
During the two-hour long show, Dolly plays a multitude of instruments, including electric guitar, banjo, fiddle, dulcimer, piano and the autoharp. From the stage, Dolly expressed her gratitude to her fans,
“It is fun being on the road again. I’ve been at it a long time. I appreciate you for allowing that to happen.”
Dolly shares pure and simple stories behind some of her songs such as "Coat of Many Colors." The set list includes the hits her fans love, along with a few new songs from Dolly's forthcoming album, "Pure & Simple," set for release this summer.
The iconic performer, entrepreneur and entertainment mogul will not only be touring the country, but she’s also executive producing "Dolly Parton’s Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love." Coming off the phenomenal performance of last year’s holiday special, and looking to recapture the enthusiasm of the nearly 16 million viewers who tuned in, Dolly is teaming up with Pamela K. Long and Sam Haskell as executive producers on the NBC film. The original cast will return for the sequel: Jennifer Nettles as Avie Lee Parton, Ricky Schroder as Robert Lee Parton, Gerald McRaney as Rev. Jake Owens and Alyvia Alyn Lind as young Dolly Parton.
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Dolly and Carl Dean have enjoyed 50 years of wedded bliss despite facing many of life's obstacles common to most married couples and plenty of unique challenges all their own.
They met outside the Wishy Washy Laundromat in Nashville, TN, on the first day Dolly moved to Music City. Falling in love and getting married were, perhaps, the last things on young Dolly Parton's mind. Yet, here was a tall, dark and handsome man who swept her off her feet. She said,
"I was surprised and delighted that while he talked to me, he looked at my face (a rare thing for me). He seemed to be genuinely interested in finding out who I was and what I was about."
Two years after that fateful meeting, Dolly and Carl were married on May 30, 1966. It was Memorial Day, Dolly and Carl traveled to Ringgold, GA, with her mother. They had a simple, private ceremony with only Avie Lee, the preacher and his wife in attendance. Since that day, Dolly and Carl have lived happily-ever-after for 50 years. They've loved and supported each other while respecting each other's independence.
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Their 50 years of happiness is a true testament to their parents, Avie Lee and Robert Lee Parton and Carl’s mother and father, Virginia "Ginny" Bates Dean and Edgar “Ed” Henry Dean. The Parton's had 12 children and the Dean's had three. Dolly fondly referred to Ginny as Mama Dean and says she was her best friend.
Nearly every aspect of Dolly and Carl's personalities compliment one another. While one would think Dolly would be the most entertaining of the two, she often says that it's Carl's unique sense of humor which keeps her laughing. Given Dolly's larger-than-life outlook on everything, it makes perfect sense that her one-and-only would be equally as special in every way.
Dolly's wedding dress and Carl's suit will be on display at Dolly’s Chasing Rainbows Museum at Dollywood beginning July 1.
Since she has no plans of slowing down, what has worked for Dolly and Carl for the past 50 years is sure to carry them through the next.
Dolly penned her heartfelt emotions for Carl in the words of her song, "From Here to the Moon and Back."
"From here to the moon and back
Who else in this world will love you like that?
Love everlasting, I promise you that
From here to the moon and back"
