Dolly’s Sister Stella Parton Talks Uplifting Fans Through Music and Humor: ‘I’m a Messenger of Hope’
The musician shares how her quick wit and comedic timing became her secret weapon on stage to uplift
Key Takeaways
- Stella Parton chatted with 'Woman's World' to dish on her new music.
- She opened up about her comedic side and how she's used it throughout her career.
- Listen to her cover of Ben E. King's "Stand By Me" out now and stay tuned for more music.
After a multi-year musical hiatus, Stella Parton is ready to get back out there, and her latest release, a cover of Ben E. King’s “Stand By Me,” proves that she’s still got it. At some point in the near future, the 77-year-old sister of Dolly Parton plans to drop an album of covers, but in addition to her skills in the studio, Stella has a knack for making people laugh.
Years ago, Stella opened up for Joan Rivers in Vegas, and over the years, she’s even woven some elements of stand-up into her live performances. As she enjoys the journey of recording music once again, Stella Parton got candid in an exclusive conversation with Woman’s World about her comedic side.
Stella Parton knows how to work an audience
Growing up as one of 12 children, Stella’s confidence came from within, and if you’ve ever watched her perform, you can see it clearly. In addition to her musical talent, she shares the same wit and charisma as her sister Dolly, and the musician says she’s used that when performing to “try to get the audience on my side.”
“I always had to rely on my sense of humor on stage, because before I ever walked out on stage, people always already had a preconceived notion of who I was, what I was supposed to look like, what my figure was supposed to look like and how I was supposed to sing. But I’ve always been funny; I’ve always been sarcastic as hell and I’m quick-witted,” she explained.
For Stella, her sense of humor is simply a part of who she is, and that quick wit and comedic timing is something that comes naturally to her.
“I love to make people laugh. Sometimes I’d make mistakes on stage and I’d turn it into a joke because I’m so quick-witted, and then I would remember it and keep it for the next show and repeat it again. And then before I knew it, I had a lot of humor incorporated into my performances over the years that I toured—which was over 50 years. But I think if you can make people laugh, you can make them feel good.”
Stella Parton: A ‘messenger of hope’
Connecting with people and uplifting others is of the utmost importance to Stella, and providing comfort through humor is one of the best ways she knows how.
“I’m a messenger of hope,” she explained. “No one ever bragged about me being a great vocalist or a beautiful woman or anything, but everybody knew I could out-entertain most of them, and I have always done that. Not because I had hit records all over the place or anything, but I could keep people entertained, and that’s what I thought my job was, and that’s what I was getting paid to do—entertain people.”
As Stella continues her musical journey and prepares to share new music with the world, one thing remains constant: her commitment to lifting spirits and spreading joy. Whether she’s hitting the high notes or landing the perfect punchline, this messenger of hope reminds us all that laughter truly is one of life’s greatest gifts
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