Remembering Dolly Parton: Kindness Was Her Superpower

Remembering Dolly Parton: Kindness Was Her Superpower

Author: Phil Aston August 26, 2026 Duration: 12:12

Dolly Parton has died at the age of 80, leaving behind an extraordinary catalogue of music—and a legacy of kindness, generosity and humanity.In this personal tribute, I reflect on Dolly’s connection with my late mum, who introduced me to country music, and how I gradually discovered that country and heavy metal were often singing about the same people, struggles and hopes.Dolly gave us timeless songs including “Jolene,” “Coat of Many Colors,” “9 to 5” and “I Will Always Love You.” Yet her legacy reaches far beyond music.Inspired by her father, who was unable to read or write, Dolly created the Imagination Library. It has now provided more than 300 million free books to children around the world. She also funded scholarships, supported families who lost their homes in the 2016 Tennessee wildfires and donated millions of dollars to medical research.I also look at how Dolly built bridges between musical worlds—from singing “Jolene” with Judas Priest’s Rob Halford at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to making Rockstar with artists including Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Elton John, Stevie Nicks, Joan Jett and Peter Frampton.Dolly Parton showed us that music can cross genres, generations, backgrounds and beliefs. She also demonstrated that kindness is not a weakness. Kindness is a superpower.This video is dedicated to Dolly’s family, friends and fans—and to everyone whose life was made a little better by her music or generosity.Please share your memories of Dolly Parton and the songs that have meant the most to you in the comments.Rest in peace, Dolly, and thank you for everything.Phil AstonNow Spinning MagazineMusic is the healer and the doctor.


Phil Aston brings the pages of Now Spinning Music Magazine-Artist Interviews and Music Reviews to life in this audio companion. Here, the focus remains firmly on the music itself and the artists who create it, championing a tangible connection to sound that goes beyond digital streams. Each episode delves into thoughtful conversations with musicians, exploring their creative processes and the stories behind their work. Alongside these interviews, you’ll find candid reviews of new releases and classic albums, all approached with an independent and honest perspective that values every format, from cherished vinyl records and CDs to elaborate box sets. This podcast extends the magazine’s global community, creating a space for enthusiasts of every genre and era. It’s for anyone who appreciates the artistry of an album as a complete physical object, not just a collection of tracks. Tune in for a deeply engaged discussion about music culture, where the passion for the material item and the music it contains is always at the forefront.
Author: Language: en-gb Episodes: 50

Now Spinning Music Magazine - Artist Interviews and Music Reviews
Podcast Episodes
Why Ritchie Blackmore’s Deep Purple Reunion Moved Fans to Tears [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:11
Ritchie Blackmore has performed with Deep Purple for the first time since 1993, joining the band at Jones Beach in New York for an unforgettable version of “Smoke on the Water.”In this video, I share my emotional respons…
Steve Hackett Reveals How Steve Rothery Changed His Guitar Approach [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:27
Steve Hackett joins me for the sixth time on Now Spinning Magazine to discuss The Roaring Waves, his long-awaited instrumental collaboration with Marillion guitarist Steve Rothery.Steve explains how the album became “a m…
Deep Purple Exclusive Don Airey Interview [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:56
Deep Purple keyboard legend Don Airey joins me on the Now Spinning Magazine Podcast to discuss the band's new studio album Splat!.In this exclusive interview, Don talks about working with Simon McBride, the band's creati…
Bruce Soord on Ghosts in the Park & Jethro Tull [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:17
Bruce Soord joins me on the Now Spinning Magazine Podcast to discuss his deeply personal new solo album Ghosts in the Park.In this emotional and thoughtful conversation, Bruce talks openly about grief, memory, losing par…