Singer, songwriter and actress Dolly Parton, who catapulted from country music stardom into pop celebrity and multiple film and TV appearances, died Tuesday at age 80.
Her nephew, Bryan Seaver, announced the 11-time Grammy winner’s death in a video posted on social media.
“My family and I have shared a lifetime of beautiful memories with Dolly, but so have you,” Seaver said. “She has always been on your television, your record player, your CD and on your phone playlist, becoming an extended part of your family whether you liked it or not.”
While Tennessee was both her birthplace and longtime home, the iconic performer’s road to fame took her through San Antonio multiple times.
Parton played the Alamo City frequently in her early career as she toured with Porter Wagoner. The pair appeared at San Antonio’s Municipal Auditorium in 1968 as part of country shows promoted by radio station KBER, the Express-News reports, and they also were musical guests at the 1970 San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo.
Indeed, the Texas State Historical Association recognized Parton as one of the highest-profile country stars to have played legendary San Antonio dance hall the Farmer’s Daughter.
In his book Outlaw Country Reporter: Misfits, Madams and Hangin’ with Willie, San Antonio music journalist Sam Kindrick recalled meeting Parton and Willie Nelson in the El Tropicano Hotel’s coffee shop for an interview. Parton reportedly caught him staring at her chest.
“I know what you are thinking,” she reportedly told Kindrick. “You’re wondering if my boobs are real. They are all mine. Nobody else would have them.”
Later in her career, Parton performed a December 2016 benefit concert at the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, with proceeds going to the venue’s Generation NEXT education initiative.
What’s more, Parton’s Imagination Library initiative operates in San Antonio, providing free monthly books to participating children from birth to age 5.
Sign Up for SA Current newsletters.
Follow us: Apple News | Google News | NewsBreak | Reddit | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Or sign up for our RSS Feed
