Movies & Television

Carson Meyer As Willadeene Parton – Interview

Published December 3, 2015 / Last Updated December 3, 2015
Managing Editor at Dolly Parton Productions
Team Dolly is a collaboration of writers, editors, and publishers assembled by Dolly Parton Productions. Each member is dedicated to accurately publishing the latest news and historical archives of the living legend that is Dolly Rebecca Parton.

Managing Editor - Jacob Timmons
Creative Director - Sarah Chapman
Dolly Parton Productions

Carson Meyer, a young actress with an old soul, portrays Robert and Avie Lee Parton’s first-born child, Willadeene, in “Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors.”

Carson, like her character, naturally found herself watching after the younger children on set and even shared her favorite hobby with a few, which became a big hit.

Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors
DOLLY PARTON"S COAT OF MANY COLORS -- "Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors" -- Pictured: (l-r) Parker Sack as David Parton, Dylan Michael Rowen as Denver Parton, Blane Crockarell as Bobby Parton, Farrah Mackenzie as Stella Parton, Alyvia Alyn Lind as Dolly, Jennifer Nettles as Avie Lee Parton, Ricky Schroder as Lee Parton, Carson Meyer as Willadeene Parton -- (Photo by: Quantrell Colbert/NBC)
Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors
Stella Parton as Mrs. Corla Bass
DOLLY PARTON'S COAT OF MANY COLORS -- Season: 2015 -- Pictured: Stella Parton as Mrs. Corla Bass -- (Photo by: Jeff Lipsky/NBC)
Stella Parton as Mrs. Corla Bass
Alyvia Alyn Lind, Mary Lane Haskell
DOLLY PARTON'S COAT OF MANY COLORS -- "Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors" -- Pictured: Mary Lane Haskell as Miss Moody -- (Photo by: Quantrell Colbert/NBC)
Alyvia Alyn Lind, Mary Lane Haskell
Mary Lane Haskell, Alyvia Alyn Lind
DOLLY PARTON"S COAT OF MANY COLORS -- "Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors" -- Pictured: (l-r) Mary Lane Haskell as Miss Moody, Alyvia Alyn Lind as Dolly Parton -- (Photo by: Quantrell Colbert/NBC)
Mary Lane Haskell, Alyvia Alyn Lind
Ricky Schroder, Jennifer Nettles
DOLLY PARTON"S COAT OF MANY COLORS -- "Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors" -- Pictured: (l-r) Ricky Schroder as Robert Lee Parton, Jennifer Nettles as Avie Lee Parton -- (Photo by: Quantrell Colbert/NBC)
Ricky Schroder, Jennifer Nettles
Gerald McRaney as Reverend Jake Owens
DOLLY PARTON"S COAT OF MANY COLORS -- "Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors" -- Pictured: Gerald McRaney as Reverend Jake Owens -- (Photo by: Quantrell Colbert/NBC)
Gerald McRaney as Reverend Jake Owens
Jennifer Nettles, Ricky Schroder
DOLLY PARTON"S COAT OF MANY COLORS -- "Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors" -- Pictured: (l-r) Jennifer Nettles as Avie Lee Parton, Ricky Schroder as Robert Lee Parton -- (Photo by: Quantrell Colbert/NBC)
Jennifer Nettles, Ricky Schroder
Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors
DOLLY PARTON"S COAT OF MANY COLORS -- "Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors" -- Pictured: (l-r) Jennifer Nettles as Avie Lee Parton, Parker Sack as David Parton, Dylan Rowen as Denver Parton, Carson Meyer as Willadeene Parton, Alyvia Alyn Lind as Dolly Parton -- (Photo by: Quantrell Colbert/NBC)
Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors
Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors
DOLLY PARTON"S COAT OF MANY COLORS -- "Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors" -- Pictured: (l-r) Blane Crockarell as Bobby Parton, Alyvia Alyn Lind as Dolly, Jennifer Nettles as Avie Lee Parton, Farrah Mackenzie as Stella Parton, Dylan Michael Rowen as Denver Parton, Carson Meyer as Willadeene Parton, Parker Sack as David Parton -- (Photo by: Quantrell Colbert/NBC)
Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors
Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors
DOLLY PARTON"S COAT OF MANY COLORS -- "Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors" -- Pictured: (l-r) Front Row, Carson Meyer as Willadeene Parton, Farrah Mackenzie as Stella Parton, Alyvia Alyn Lind as Dolly, Dylan Michael Rowen as Denver Parton, Parker Sack as David Parton, Blane Crockarell as Bobby Parton, Back Row, Ricky Schroder as Lee Parton, Jennifer Nettles as Avie Lee Parton -- (Photo by: Quantrell Colbert/NBC)
Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors
"Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors"
DOLLY PARTON"S COAT OF MANY COLORS -- "Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors" -- Pictured: (l-r) Jennifer Nettles as Avie Lee Parton, Parker Sack as David Parton, Dylan Rowen as Denver Parton, Carson Meyer as Willadeene Parton, Alyvia Alyn Lind as Dolly Parton -- (Photo by: Quantrell Colbert/NBC)
"Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors"

Q. As you started to develop your character, what things about Willadeene stood out or perhaps surprised you?

A. I bought all of her books, her cookbook and “Smoky Mountain Memories.” I did a lot of reading about her. I loved that she kept the letters from her sisters and kind of held all those memories so dear to her. And then Stella [Parton] being on set told me great stories about her sister. One of my favorite’s is that Willadeene would put perfume on the girls before she would go out which would always make them happy.

Q. The Parton family is known for their tight-knit bonds. While filming, did the cast develop similar family-like relationships?

A. Oh yeah, absolutely. I think working with all the kids it’s hard not to feel like a family. We were all staying at one hotel, so we would all go to the pool after. I taught the girls how to knit, which was really fun, and crochet because I’m a big crocheter myself. It reminded me of being at summer camp. I loved everybody on set. It was a really, really special group.

Q. Considering everything you have done in your career, where does this role rank in your list of achievements?

A. It’s the greatest thing that’s ever happened to me! I’ve always been a huge Dolly fan my whole life. I’ve read all of her books, her movies, her songs. I just think she’s a really, really special person and somebody that’s worthy of all the success and fame that she’s achieved. So for me to be able to work with Dolly is a dream come true.

Q. The song “Coat of Many Colors” first debuted in 1971, yet it still has a powerful message for people today. Why do you think people relate so well to this story?

A. This idea that you can’t buy love and that nothing else really matters. It’s all just family…the importance of family and community and faith and all the things that have nothing to do with material objects.

Q. Other than “Coat of Many Colors” do you have a favorite Dolly song?

A. Yes, “Heartbreak Express” has always been my favorite. I used to listen to it on constant replay in the car on my way to school when I was in high school. It’s gotten me through so many heartaches and heartbreaks.

Q. What was your favorite moment of making the film or your favorite takeaway?

A. I don’t know if I can pin it down to one moment. I had a hard time sleeping, because I was so excited for the next day of work. I loved every moment of it.

See more cast interviews and tune in Thursday, December 10 at 9/8c on NBC to watch Carson Meyer as Willadeene Parton in “Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors.”

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Dolly Parton ProductionsCarson Meyer As Willadeene Parton – Interview

‘Heartbreak Express’

Published April 24, 1982 / Last Updated August 23, 2015
Team Dolly is a collaboration of writers, editors, and publishers assembled by Dolly Parton Productions. Each member is dedicated to accurately publishing the latest news and historical archives of the living legend that is Dolly Rebecca Parton.

Managing Editor - Jacob Timmons
Creative Director - Sarah Chapman
Team Dolly

Dolly releases 24th solo album, ‘Heartbreak Express’

In 1982, Dolly released her 24th solo studio album, “Heartbreak Express,” aiming to return to a more fully realized country sound after her late 1970s pop efforts.

The song “Hollywood Potters” came out of Dolly’s experience filming “9 to 5.” She references watching many of the film’s extras and bit players on set who worked so hard to catch a big break in the industry with very little success.

The title song as well as “Single Women” reached No. 7 and No. 8, respectively, on the U.S. Country Music Singles Charts. The album reached No. 5 in the U.S. Country Album Charts and No. 106 on the U.S. Top 200 Charts.

 

Team Dolly‘Heartbreak Express’