https://www.cnn.com/2026/08/25/entertainment/dolly-parton-death

I have two really fond memories of Dolly Parton - and that is no pun.

The first - as a youngster watching the Porter Waggoner Show (with only 3 channels back then, you probably watched too).  I remember her doing the live, in-show commercials for Breeze laundry detergent.  Back then Breeze came with free hand towels in each box - similar to the way that cereal used to come with a cheap toy or prize.  What made the ad's memorable was Dolly's deep southern accent, "free TILES in every box of Breeze".  if you saw it, you remember it.

Second memory:  one of my first professional jobs was Television Producer for a large book store chain.  The store made practice of trotting out celebrity authors for book signings - which they wanted documented for various uses.

Without naming names, I'll tell you that some of these folks were nicer than others.  A few were total A-holes, some were just fantastic to be around.  Dolly Parton was of the latter camp.  She was beyond nice to the horde of devotees who came out to see her.  

The event gave me one of my favorite brush with fame stories:  the time I pinned a lavalier mic' on Dolly Parton!  I was right there on those boys, but alas - Dolly had a bodyguard who strongly resembled Steven Seagal!  

I think it was her image ... and cup size (not coffee, here) that intrigued most.  Not to be a dick, but I thought her vocals sounded like chipmunks on helium.  She did pen some great songs, though.