Remembering Dolly

September 1, 2026 - 8:00 am

Photo by Jennie Cecil Moore.

Last Friday, a few hundred people gathered for a vigil on Seattle’s Capitol Hill. They were there to honor Dolly Parton. She died on August 25th at the age of 80. Francesca Hays organized the vigil that was held at the AIDS Memorial Pathway with candles and music. KBCS contributor Jennie Cecil Moore was there, surrounded by fans singing Dolly’s songs. She brings us this audio postcard.

SONG: 9-5 

Dolly was the epitome of what we can all strive to be because she crossed every barrier and she was just totally herself. 

SONG: Islands in the Stream 

Dolly means to me, I think that she was totally an original. I think that she had a heart of gold and she wasn’t afraid to say anything, like especially when she came out for Black Lives Matter. I mean, it could have caused a great hullabaloo in the, you know, the right-wing kind of country vibe and I think she was just a humanitarian and I think she was an incredible example of what people can do even if you’re not famous. 

SONG: Coat of Many Colors 

As a rainbow intersex individual, she was a huge activist and a voice and an ally, but particularly for intersex people like myself. And it’s been a big, hard loss. I heard that it hit me like a ton of bricks and really, really hard and deep. 

SONG: Jolene 

What do you not love about Dolly? I think what I love is that her music is so powerful and so important. And I was raised with her music, but I think honestly, my parents who are both here tonight, I almost feel like they raised me with her ethos and her belief system even more. And seeing her be grieved globally this week, we are all reappreciating all of her music, but I think what I’m even hearing more about is who she was, her generosity, her acceptance. 

SONG: Light of a Clear Blue Morning 

She really walked her talk. 

That was Fred Hanby, Lauren Tozzi, Super Liv, Francesca Hays, and Pam Gray, at a vigil for Dolly Parton on Seattle’s Capitol Hill last Friday that Francesca organized. For KBCS, I’m Jennie Cecil Moore.

If you want to go deep into the Dolly Parton catalog, check out the KBCS archive. Find Roots, Rock, and Soul on KBCS.fm or on the KBCS app, and click on the episode from Tuesday, August 25th. Available until September 8.