Kacey Musgraves Reflects on How Beloved Dolly Parton Was: Like ‘Mister Rogers Wearing Rhinestones’
"I think probably the closest thing we have to American royalty," the star said of the country icon in a new interview.
Kacey Musgraves has often spoken of the inspiration she draws from the life and career of late music icon Dolly Parton. During a recent interview with People, Musgraves recalled her memories of working with Parton, expressing her astonishment at the singer's humility, sense of humor, and professional demeanor. Musgraves noted that Parton was anything but closed off or jaded, despite the possibility of such traits.
The two performers had collaborated at the Grammys in 2019, and Musgraves paid tribute to Parton by performing "I Will Always Love You" at the MTV Video Music Awards.
Musgraves lamented the collective grief felt after Parton's passing on August 25 at the age of 80. She described losing Dolly as a "collective grief" that highlighted the deep void left by the loss of a true matriarch in the industry. Musgraves compared Parton to Mister Rogers wearing rhinestones, emphasizing her impact and the near-royal status she held in the hearts of her fans. She also pointed out how Parton bridged various worlds for people, serving as a common ground for many, much like Willie Nelson and Snoop Dogg.
One interesting detail Musgraves shared was how she altered her behavior for Parton's sake when they first met. She revealed that she was the most punctual person she had ever been, never being late for a meeting with the legendary singer. Musgraves also spoke about her new album, Middle of Nowhere, which draws inspiration from her personal life. The album is currently nominated for album of the year at the Country Music Association Awards, where Musgraves has five total nominations ahead of the November 18 ceremony.
Written by urgent.news from Billboard's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
