I Interviewed Dolly Parton for 40 Years—Here Are the Memories I’ll Cherish Forever
Woman’s World Nashville country music editor Deborah Evans Price recalls, in her own words, her first hilarious interview with Dolly Parton and their heartfelt goodbye
Key Takeaways
- I first interviewed Dolly around 1986, nervous but instantly put at ease
- I'll never forget the day I introduced her to my son at a press event.
- My last lengthy sit-down with Dolly was in November 2024, for a Woman's World cover.
The bubbly voice on the line said, “Hi, this is Dolly Parton!” as if I wouldn’t know. I was editor-in-chief of Country News magazine and this would have been around 1986 or ’87. As a longtime Dolly fan, I was nervous about my first interview with the legendary performer, but her quick wit, genuine warmth and playful personality immediately made me feel like I was talking to an old friend. I had that same feeling every time I talked to her over the next several decades.
I first met Dolly in 1986
As we began that first phone interview for a Country News cover story, she said, “They told me to call Deborah Evans Price. Now are you an Evans or a Price? What is with that long name?” I explained that my maiden name was Deborah Evans and when I got married, I added the Price to it. She giggled and replied, “Girl, they should have warned you, there’s always a price when you get married.”
That was the first of many wonderful conversations over the years, and I count it one of the great privileges of my life to have had those interviews. I wish everyone could have had a chance to experience Dolly up close, but even those who never met her feel like they did as evidenced by the outpouring of shock and grief over her death. She was larger than life and every good thing you’d expect her to be, she absolutely was. Dolly was kind to everyone she encountered and always made everyone in the room feel valued and special.
The little things Dolly Parton always noticed
I loved the way she noticed even little things and was always quick to give a compliment. When I interviewed her on November 4, 2016, she immediately noticed my purse and raved about it, asking where I got it. My friend Phyllis Stark had gotten me a black and white purse that looked like a piano and the “keys” really played. Dolly was enthralled. It was a Betsy Johnson and I tracked another one down online and gave it to her at our next interview. She loved it! You’d have thought I gave her a million dollars. What a great feeling to have made her smile like that.
Another of my fondest memories is when I got to introduce her to my son Trey. I received an invitation to a press conference for Dolly’s first children’s album, I Believe in You, which released in 2017. The invitation said that reporters were welcome to bring their children as Dolly was going to perform some songs from the new album. Even though he was grown, I took Trey. Several others also brought their teens or grown kids. After all, who would pass up a chance to introduce family to Dolly?
After the press conference/performance, she graciously posed for photos with attendees. Over the years, I had mentioned Trey in some of our interviews so she knew I had a son. When I introduced her to Trey, her eyes took in all 6’3” of him and she said, “Deborah, I thought your boy was little.’ I said, “Not anymore,” and she laughed. We took a picture of the three of us and then she said, “I want a picture with this good lookin’ man all by myself,” and grabbed Trey for a picture of just the two of them. It is one of my favorite moments of all time!
At a press conference/Facebook live event for her 2023 album Rockstar, the onstage host ran out of questions and they needed to fill time. Somewhere in the wings someone was calling for them to stretch and said to open it up to questions from the audience. I was sitting near the front and Dolly looked right at me and said, “I know YOU always have a question.” I fired away and she told me it was a good one. I couldn’t stop smiling the rest of the night.
Dolly’s generosity meant so much to me
Much has been written about Dolly’s generosity and kindness. I don’t think the world has ever known a more passionate philanthropist. She lived to make people smile. In addition to her Imagination Library and her monetary support of worthy causes, she was also generous with her talent, frequently lending her voice to other artists’ work such as Brad Paisley’s “When I Get Where I’m Going,” for King & Country’s “God Only Knows,” Zach Williams’ “There Was Jesus,” and “Peace Like a River” with Dionne Warwick, just to name a few.
In addition to my work with Woman’s World and other media outlets, I’ve authored four Country Faith books and executive produced the 10-album Country Faith music series. In our first Country Faith Christmas books Dolly contributed her recipe for Smoky Mountain Smoked Turkey Breast and it’s one of the tastiest recipes in the book.
She said, “I like to say I cook like an old mountain woman. Well, only a real mountain woman could spend all day smokin’ the daylights out of a turkey.”
In 2021, Daywind Music released Country Faith Bluegrass, a collection that featured Vince Gill, Dale Ann Bradley, Patty Loveless, Ricky Skaggs, Charlie Daniels and many other amazing artists singing bluegrass gospel songs. Dolly had recorded the classic hymn “In the Sweet By and By” and had never released it.
She graciously gave us permission to include it on Country Faith Bluegrass. Our talented producer Jerry Salley took the recording Dolly had sent of her voice and beautifully produced the track, adding in harmony vocals from Bradley Walker, Larry Cordle, Carl Jackson and himself.
The result was an incredibly beautiful rendition of that beloved hymn. It went on to win the Gospel Music Association Dove Award for Bluegrass/Country/Roots Recorded Song of the Year in 2022. The project also won two awards from the International Bluegrass Music Awards (IBMA)—Gospel Recorded Performance of the Year and Collaborative Recording of the Year. The Country Faith brand encompasses four books and 10 albums, but the only time it won any awards was because of Dolly.
Her participation in that project meant so much to me and when I sent flowers to thank her, I got the kindest note in return saying she was “humbled to be part of such an amazing project.” It makes me want to cry as I type those words.
My last interview with Dolly Parton
I wish I had kept count of all the times I was blessed to interview her over the years. Every opportunity was a gift. Our last lengthy sit down was in November 2024 for a Christmas cover for Woman’s World. My editor, Carey Ostergard-Vincenti, flew to Nashville to join me. She had never met Dolly and had always wanted to. Dolly definitely made it a memorable experience.
I remember asking her a question about how she always had so much energy, she looked serious and said, “Drugs.” Our jaws dropped. Then she burst into laughter and said, “You should have seen your faces.” That was Dolly! Always ready to surprise and make someone smile with that mischievous sense of humor.
The last time I spoke to Dolly
The last time we spoke was briefly in August 2025 on the red carpet for her play Dolly: A True Original Musical at Nashville’s Fisher Center for the Performing Arts. Woman’s World Melissa D’Agnese and I covered the event and I loved the play! Previews begin on Broadway December 7 at the St. James Theater. It will officially open on January 19, which would have been her 81st birthday. It breaks my heart she won’t be there to hear that applause, but I know she’ll be smiling down from heaven.
Before I wrap up, I want to acknowledge the members of her team who always supported Dolly so beautifully over the years—her longtime manager Danny Nozell, creative director Steve Summers, publicist Marcel Pariseau, former publicists Kirt Webster and Jeremy Westby, producer Kent Wells and guitarist/engineer Tom Rutledge. They have supported Dolly through the years and worked hard to help her take her vision to the world. In her absence, I know they will continue to shepherd the work she left behind.
I will always love her
Dolly was an amazing person and I’m blessed to have had the opportunity to interact with her over the years. She left an impact on me that has been hard to put into words, but I hope I’ve done her justice. Like everyone who loved her, I’ve cried a lot of tears this past week. It seems like the world is a darker place without her light and laughter, but she will live on forever in the hearts of those she touched. May we all learn from her example. What a life well-lived!
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