Part 3
Now, let’s talk about Kenny Rogers. Because Dolly’s reunion with him for the Hallmark special is pure joy. They’ve worked together forever—'Islands in the Stream,' the tours, the duets. And they agree on everything. 'Even our appointments with our cosmetic surgeons, they never collide,' Dolly jokes. Then the interviewer asks if she’s had a little work done. Her response? 'I’m just going to make sure that my islands in the stream don’t sink like the Titanic.'
That line is a masterclass in deflection. It’s funny, it’s self-deprecating, and it tells you everything about Dolly’s relationship with Kenny: they’re in on the joke together. They’ve been through the wringer of fame, the ups and downs of the music business, and they still genuinely love each other. You can hear it when she says, 'I love Kenny.' No hesitation. No performance. Just affection.
The Hallmark special—yes, that’s the context for this reunion—was a celebration of Dollywood’s 25th anniversary. And of course, Kenny had to be there. He’s part of the Dolly universe. He’s the guy who stood next to her on stage and made magic. And when you watch them together, you realize that some partnerships aren’t just professional. They’re family.
But the real kicker? Dolly’s story about Billy Ray Cyrus. She says she’s known him for a long time and did a video with him back when he was 'so hot like Miley now,' during the 'Achy Breaky Heart' era. That was 1992. Billy Ray was a mullet-wearing, line-dancing sensation. He was everywhere. And now his daughter is the one everyone’s watching. Dolly’s perspective on that transition is gold: she knows what it’s like to be the new kid, the hot thing, the one everyone wants a piece of. And she knows what it’s like to watch that fade—or to fight like hell to keep it.
So when she says Miley will be fine, you believe her. Because Dolly’s seen it all. She’s seen Billy Ray go from 'Achy Breaky Heart' to being Miley’s dad. She’s seen Kenny Rogers go from 'The Gambler' to a beloved elder statesman. And she’s seen herself go from a young songwriter in Nashville to a global icon. She knows the arc. And she knows that talent, smarts, and a little bit of godmotherly love can get you through.
But here’s where the story takes a turn. Because Dolly’s not just talking about Miley and Kenny. She’s about to drop a bomb about Elvis Presley. And trust me, you’re going to want to sit down for this one.
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The Godmother Who Never Was
Let’s rewind for a second. Dolly says she’s known Miley since she was a baby. But they never had a formal godmother ceremony. That’s a detail that matters. Because in Hollywood, godparenting is often a photo op. But Dolly doesn’t need a title. She just shows up. She says, 'If I’m there for her if she needs me.' That’s it. No contract, no ceremony, no press release. Just a promise.
And when Miley was getting pounded by the press for trying to shed her Hannah Montana image, Dolly felt it. 'I get so upset when they’re like lately, they’ve just been kind ofounding her to death.' That word—'ounding'—is perfect. It’s the sound of a thousand keyboards clacking out judgments. Dolly knows that sound. She’s heard it her whole career. And she’s not having it.
So she does what any good godmother would do: she reminds us that Miley is 17. That she’s smart. That she’s poised. That she’s a great writer. And then she tells a story about stealing shoulder pads from her grandma’s coat to make a push-up bra. It’s a funny story, but it’s also a window into Dolly’s soul. She wasn’t born a bombshell. She built one. And she understands the hunger to be seen as sexy, as grown-up, as more than what people expect.
That’s why she doesn’t judge Miley. She gets it. She gets the pressure. She gets the transition. And she gets that sometimes you have to make a few mistakes in public. That’s the price of growing up in the spotlight. Dolly paid it. Miley’s paying it now. And Dolly’s there to say, 'I see you. You’ll be okay.'
The Elvis Song That Got Away
Okay, deep breath. Because this is the story that will make you love Dolly Parton even more—if that’s possible. She never met Elvis Presley. But he was planning to record her song 'I Will Always Love You.' He invited her down to the studio. She was excited. And then, the day of the session, Colonel Tom Parker called.
Parker said Elvis only recorded songs that they had to publish. Meaning: Elvis’s people would get a piece of the publishing rights. And Dolly couldn’t do that. 'That broke my heart,' she says. You can hear the regret in her voice. Because publishing is a songwriter’s livelihood. It’s how you get paid when someone else sings your song. It’s how you keep the lights on. And Dolly wasn’t about to give that up. Not even for Elvis.
Now, let’s be clear: Dolly doesn’t blame Colonel Parker. She calls him a 'smart, hard businessman.' She gets it. That was the game. But you can tell it still stings. Because Elvis Presley singing 'I Will Always Love You' would have been a moment. It would have been history. And instead, it never happened.
