In this divisive world we live in, it was good to see the global outpouring of grief and appreciation for the life of Dolly Parton who passed away last week at the age of 80. Most British people absolutely adored her and the reigning monarch, King Charles, chose to honor her by instructing the Band of the Coldstream Guards, the ones on the postcards wearing bearskin hats and red tunics as they parade outside Buckingham Palace, to play a rendition of her hit, 9 to 5, during the Changing of the Guard on August 26th. This was posted on the royal family’s Instagram account with the message: “Remembering the late, great Dolly, who brought joy, comfort and inspiration to so many – including the millions of children given free books through her Imagination Library. We will always Y you.” King Charles is 77 years old, and Queen Camilla recently turned 79 so Dolly Parton was very much of their generation and the fact that the King has faced his own battle with cancer makes the tribute even more poignant. While Dolly Parton was devoted to and forever associated with Tennessee, people are not always aware that she had a deep, abiding love affair with England and London in particular. This legendary country star first came to London in 1975, one year after the release of “I Will Always Love You”. Parton performed in the UK for the first time ever at the Festival of Country Music at Wembley Arena, which is only about 20 miles from where we lived in England. This was not only Dolly’s…
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