Author: lehang

Not even a deadly wildfire and an evacuation could stop one L.A.-based singer-songwriter from submitting her audition tape to play the role of Dolly Parton in a Broadway musical.

Last year, Parton announced a casting call for a musical about her life. Haley Spence Brown — who is one-half of country duo The Doohickies — was planning to audition for the role of Dolly, but those plans hit a bump in the road after a string of devastating fires broke out in the L.A. area last week.

But Brown wasn’t about to lose out on her chance to be in Parton’s musical.

She didn’t take much of her recording or filming equipment when she evacuated her home, but the singer did bring her acoustic guitar. Even more importantly, she brought her voice, which bears a jaw-dropping similarity to Parton’s. Watch the video below to hear the resemblance for yourself:

@the.doohickeys#searchfordolly is time sensitive, so here’s my audition. In light of the devastation in our city of Los Angeles, I wasn’t sure if it was appropriate to post this. Still, this particular song has gotten me through some rough times, and I hope it can distract you for a minute. Dolly is a helper and remains positive in the face of tragedy—check our our story for a list of local musicians who lost their homes that you can donate to.

♬ original sound – The Doohickeys

“Dolly’s gotten me through some really, really hard times and she’s doing it again today,” Brown says at the beginning of the clip, which has since gone viral on TikTok.

“…I didn’t bring a microphone, so instead, you’re getting the rag-tag version,” she says in a shockingly good impression of Parton’s voice, “which kinda feels a little bit like Dolly’s start.”

She then goes on to perform a rendition of Parton’s “Wildflowers,” which appeared on the singer’s 1987 Trio album with Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris.

That particular song — about resilience and finding ways to grow where you’re planted — is an especially poignant choice in light of the L.A. fires and all the people that have been injured, killed or displaced as a result of the catastrophe.

“This particular song has gotten me through some rough times, and I hope it can distract you for a minute,” Brown noted. “Dolly is a helper and remains positive in the face of tragedy.”

In the comments section, fans praised Brown’s authentic delivery of this beloved Parton hit.

“#SearchForDolly can stop right here,” one commenter wrote.

“This is the one!! No gimmicks or costumes or makeup just raw talent,” another added.

At the end of the clip, Brown proved that she’s a multi-faceted talent, throwing a little of yodeling out to make her audition stand out. “I can also play fiddle and I can play banjo, but you’ll have to call me back to hear that,” she concluded.

Country Star Homes Devastated By Fire

At least two artists on this list of country star home fires were better for it, professionally. One legend used the tragedy to inspire greatness, while a second newcomer actually wrote his first No. 1 hit about the blaze.

Over a dozen country stars have watched their homes go up in flames. Here are their stories.

Gallery Credit: Billy Dukes

Travis Tritt

Rick Diamond, Getty Images

Travis Tritt

Travis Tritt was home when fire consumed his kids’ playground at his house in Powder Springs, Ga., on July 29, 2015. He wasn’t aware of the fire at first — it was his mother-in-law who dialed 911. Photos showed a trampoline ruined and the ground covered in soot.

Trace Adkins

Michael Loccisano, Getty Images

Trace Adkins

Trace Adkins’ home in Brentwood, Tenn., was a total loss after an electrical fire spread throughout. It happened on June 4, 2011, while the singer was en route to Alaska. His daughters were home with a babysitter, but they were able to escape. His wife at the time was out running errands, so one was injured, but the family lost everything.

Carrie Underwood

Joy Malone, Getty Images for Songwriters Hall of Fame

Carrie Underwood

Carrie Underwood and her family were unharmed after a fire started near their garage in Williamson County, Tenn., in June 2024. Investigators said it may have been sparked by a UTV parked nearby. The family home is a fair distance off the road, but fortunately, Underwood had an underground well designed for just this kind of occasion.

Nate Smith

Jason Kempin, Getty Images

Nate Smith

Nate Smith’s home was one of the 18,000 structures that burned during a wildfire in Paradise, Calif. in 2018. It was the worst wildfire in state history, and Smith was lucky to have had a doctor’s appointment 30 miles away the morning his house went up in flames.

Not only did that save his life, it inspired him to try Nashville a second time. Armed with a new song about the fire, he moved back to Music City. Years later, “World on Fire” would become a No. 1 hit.

Willie Nelson

Brandon Bell, Getty Images

Willie Nelson

Willie Nelson’s story is similar to Nate Smith’s in that a house fire inspired a change in his life and tremendous professional success. On Dec. 23, 1969, he returned from a Christmas party to find his house on fire. Quickly, he dashed inside to grab two things.

First, he needed to get the pound of marijuana out, because he knew if cops found it, he’d go to jail. Second, he saved his guitar, Trigger. Everything else was lost.

Chris Janson

Jason Kempin, Getty Images

Chris Janson

In April 2023, Chris Janson’s wife Kelly woke up to a faint beeping noise below them. It turned out to be a smoke detector in his home studio, and it was the only one warning them of a fast-growing blaze.

Everyone rushed to safety and the couple tried to pour water on the fire until fire crews arrived. The room was a loss, but most of the house was saved.

Dolly Parton (But it was Ashley McBrydes Fault)

Jason Kempin, Getty Images

Dolly Parton (But it was Ashley McBryde’s Fault)

Before she was famous, Ashley McBryde was staying at Dolly Parton’s house as it was being remodeled. She was hired to let workers in and keep an eye on the place and everything was going fine until a friend — Parton’s niece — put an entire box of bagel bites in the microwave.

Flames caught some of the wallpaper on fire, and there was a small scare. Yeah, she was fired after that.

Darryl Worley

Jason Kempin, Getty Images

Darryl Worley

In January 2024, Darryl Worley’s barn burned to the ground. The animals escaped, but many precious memories were lost in the blaze. He shared video of it on social media, noting that it was a total loss but he was grateful no one was injured.

Loretta Lynn

Rick Diamond, Getty Images

Loretta Lynn

Loretta Lynn had two house fires in two years in 2013 and 2014. The first caused a cook shack on her Hurricane Mills, Tenn., property to burn. The second was at her residence and was said to be caused when a candle touched a chair.

No one was hurt and the singer and family escape.

Caylee Hammack

Jason Kempin, Getty Images

Caylee Hammack

In October 2017, Caylee Hammack’s house burned down while she was at a writer’s retreat. Lost were her wardrobe, bedroom furniture, instruments and artwork. Flooding cause much of her living room furniture to be ruined as well.

Billy Dean

Rick Diamond, Getty Images

Billy Dean

Billy Dean’s barn burned to the ground just prior to Christmas 2011. It happened in Smithville, Tenn., just east of Nashville. Nobody was injured, but his boat, tractor and a career’s worth of memories were destroyed.

Yola

Amy Sussman, Getty Images

Yola

In 2014, British singer Yola was handling a bioethanol burner that leaked throughout the room, eventually catch her and the house on fire. Flames raced up her dress but she managed to escape. She was injured, but survived.

Adam Brand

Lisa Maree Williams, Getty Images

Adam Brand

In December 2023, Australian country singer Adam Brand’s house caught fire. He recalls a friend telling him there was smoke, and then 10 minutes later seeing flames engulf all his hard work and memories. Everyone in the family survived.

Johnny Cash

Hulton Archive, Getty Images

Johnny Cash

Johnny Cash’s Tennessee home burned down several years after his death, but it was still worth grieving because it’s where he and wife June Carter Cash died, several months apart in 2003.

The historic Hendersonville home was amid a renovation when it went up in flames. Nearly everything was destroyed, save a small apartment and a stone wall. Since then, the property has maintained historic value, but the fate of any structure has been unstable.

“I was playing guitar pretty seriously back then,” Dolly said

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(Image credit: Getty Images/Paul Natkin)

It has been hailed by critics as one of the most expressive songs in the country genre and has been recorded by artists such as The White Stripes, Beyoncé, Miley Cyrus and Olivia Newton-John.

It is also the song that launched its writer Dolly Parton into the mainstream pop market and became her first big crossover hit, encapsulating in two minutes and forty one seconds her straight-talking Tennessean roots with a storyline and hook that would resonate with millions across the globe.

Jolene was the song that made Dolly Parton, transforming her into a household name. It’s also a song that she regards as one of her crowning achievements.

“The one that’s most recorded is Jolene, that seems to be the favourite,” said Parton in a Q&A with The Guardian on 31 October 2024. “Do you know that song has been recorded, somebody told me, 450 times in the last 52 years? I’m so proud of it.”

The whole story of how Dolly Parton rose from a dirt-poor background in the Tennessee hills to become a global superstar has become the stuff of legend.

The fourth of 12 children, she was born on 19 January 1946 to sharecropping parents in a one-room cabin on the banks of the Little Pigeon river in East Tennessee.

When Parton was a young child, the family moved to a farm in the Smoky Mountains. Parton attributes her musical abilities to the influence of her mother Avie Lee Carlin (née Owens), who entertained her children with ancient ballads from her Welsh immigrant ancestors, brought to southern Appalachia in the 18th and 19th centuries.

At seven, Parton started playing a homemade guitar. One year later, her uncle, Bill Owens, bought her a proper instrument, and by the age of ten she was appearing on The Cas Walker Show on WIVK Radio in Knoxville Tennessee.

At the age of 13, she appeared on the Grand Ole Opry, where she met Johnny Cash for the first time.

The day after she graduated from Sevier County HIgh School in 1964, Parton moved to Nashville. She landed a publishing deal and co-wrote several singles with her uncle, including two Top 10 hits for Bill Philips and Fuel To The Flame (1967), a No. 11 hit for Skeeter Davis.

In 1967, she released her debut album Hello I’m Dolly and was invited by country music entertainer Porter Wagoner to join his weekly TV variety show The Porter Wagoner Show. It launched her career. Her natural onscreen persona suited the show’s informal feel.

While singles such as Just Because I’m A Woman were only moderate hits, her recording of the Jimmie Rogers’ song Muleskinner Blues in 1970 yielded a No. 3 hit in the Country Chart, followed by a No. 1 hit with Joshua the following year.

Her signature song Coat Of Many Colours reached No. 3 and heralded a series of hits.

By the end of 1974, Parton had parted from Wagoner, formed her own band and launched her solo career. But not before she had written and recorded the song that would become her biggest hit. That song was Jolene and it was immediately clear she had created something special.

In a 2008 interview with Washington DC-based public broadcasting organisation, NPR, Parton said she first got the idea for a song called Jolene back in the late ’60s while signing autographs after one of the Porter Wagoner live shows.

“One night, I was on stage, and there was this beautiful little girl – she was probably eight years old at the time,” Parton says. “And she had this beautiful red hair, this beautiful skin, these beautiful green eyes, and she was looking up at me for an autograph. I said, ‘Well, you’re the prettiest little thing I ever saw. So what is your name?’ And she said, ‘Jolene.’ And I said, ‘Jolene. Jolene. Jolene. Jolene’. I said, ‘That is pretty. That sounds like a song. I’m going to write a song about that’.”

This touching encounter would take on a more adult tone when Parton sat down to write the song in 1973. According to Parton, the song was ultimately inspired by a red-headed bank clerk who flirted with her husband, Carl Dean, at his local bank branch around the time they were newly married in 1966.

Six decades on, Parton and Dean are still married and it’s hard to recall a celebrity spouse who has so successfully maintained their privacy. “I’ve never seen Carl Dean, nor never met him,” recalls session musician Lloyd Green in the BBC documentary Dolly Parton: Here I Am. “I know he exists [but] I don’t know anyone who’s ever seen Carl Dean.”

One person who clearly did see Carl Dean was the red-headed bank teller who became immortalised as Jolene.

“She got this terrible crush on my husband,” Parton told NPR. “And he just loved going to the bank because she paid him so much attention. It was kinda like a running joke between us – when I was saying, ‘Hell, you’re spending a lot of time at the bank. I don’t believe we’ve got that kind of money!’ So it’s really an innocent song all around, but sounds like a dreadful one.”

It’s also a story that Parton has recounted thousands of times from the stage when introducing the song. “She was trying to take care of my husband while I was out on the road,” says Parton in a live clip in the BBC documentary. “Well that didn’t go over too big with me. I fought that red-headed woman like a wildcat. She took my wig off and almost beat me to death with it! But I kept my husband.”

Simplicity is key to the song’s appeal. “It’s just the same word over and over,” Parton told NPR. “Even a first-grader or a baby can sing, ‘Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene’. It’s like, how hard can that be?”

The lyrics of Jolene are essentially an exchange between two women and as author and musicologist Lydia Hamessley points out in the BBC documentary, the man is noticeably absent throughout. “In Jolene, Dolly is singing a song about a cheating man. But she doesn’t address the man at all. In fact, he seems not to be relevant to the story. She’s really engaging with this other woman. It may seem that she doesn’t have very much power in that dynamic but in fact she’s the one who speaks all the lines.”

Parton has said that Jolene is a song that “fits a lot of people”, because it is fuelled by our insecurities. “We all are insecure,” says Parton in the BBC documentary. “There’s always someone that could take that person from you and you’re vulnerable.”

The song is instantly evocative. “I can see Jolene walking down the street,” says Kylie Minogue in the BBC documentary Dolly Parton: Here I Am. “I can see Dolly bristling. It’s a real art of storytelling. How to say a lot and paint a picture in a three minute song.”

Jolene was recorded in RCA Studio B in Nashville, in October 1973. Written and recorded in the key of C#min, with a capo on the fourth and the chord shapes of Am-C-G-Am-G-Am, it skips along at a pacey 111bpm. “It’s a great chord progression,” Parton told NPR.

What first draws the listener in though the song’s infectious guitar lick.

“The thing I remember most was all the musicians when I came up with the little guitar lick, the Jolene lick, saying: “Damn, that’s so good. That’s the coolest little lick’,” Parton told The Guardian. “I was playing guitar pretty seriously back then, before I had all the long nails. I remember all the guys learning to play it and everybody thinking how cool a rhythm it was. It was a little out of the norm for the things we’d been doing up to that time. I remember everybody in the studio just loving that song.”

The lick is a one measure, four-beat riff played in the Am shape, which is repeated throughout the track and gives the song a real skip and groove. This lick was played in the studio by the late Nashville session guitarist chip Young, a revered player renowned for his thumb-style, or Travis-picking style.

The other Nashville session guitarist who played on Jolene was Wayne Moss, handling the steel-string part that complements Young’s primary riff, which Young played on a gut-string classical guitar.

“It’s a great chord progression, people love that ‘Jolene’ lick,” Parton told NPR in 2008. “It’s as much a part of the song… as the song [itself].”

Jolene was released on 22 May 1973 and reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Chart, peaking at No. 60 on the Billboard Hot 100. In 2024, in Rolling Stone’s poll of 200 Greatest Country Songs of All Time, Jolene was placed at No. 1.

Parton has re-recorded and re-released the track a number of times, as in 1995, when it appeared on her thirty-third album Something Special.

In 2000, The White Stripes released the first of a number of covers of the song, raw and visceral renditions that elevate the core sentiment of the song to one of yearning desperation.

On 29 March 2024, Beyoncé released her version of Jolene. “With similar instrumentation but fresh lyrics, Beyoncé has taken the age-old concept and breathed new life into it,” wrote Lauren Boisvert in American Songwriter magazine. “Beyoncé employs a smoother guitar sound backed by a pulsing beat to tie the song into her pop/R&B roots.”

Beyoncé – JOLENE (Music Video) – YouTube

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Such covers are a testament to the enduring power of the song and yet Parton’s original 1973 recording still resonates across the decades, thanks largely to her effortlessly heartfelt delivery and simple restraint.

“Staying true to her intentions, Parton fortunately chooses not to decorate the song with vocal harmonies, additional instruments and pop hooks,” wrote Barry Webber of AllMusic in a retrospective review. “The song is stripped down to guitar and Parton’s vocals. The melody itself is immensely catchy, and the lyrics are simple enough to avoid melodrama in favour of raw, blunt emotion.

“Jolene… continues to stand as not only one of her best songs, but one of the great country ballads of the 20th Century.”

John Rich Criticizes Country Music Stars for Silence on Conservative Issues

In a recent statement, country music star John Rich has voiced concerns about the silence of many prominent country artists regarding conservative political issues, particularly in light of the political landscape surrounding former President Donald Trump’s inauguration and the support that some artists have shown for left-leaning causes. Rich’s comments have sparked a larger conversation about the state of political expression in the country music industry and the challenges artists face when speaking out on divisive political issues.

The Conversation That Sparked the Debate

Rich, known for his outspoken opinions and as a member of the country duo Big & Rich, began his commentary after Carrie Underwood’s announcement that she would be performing “America the Beautiful” at President Trump’s historic inauguration. Underwood’s participation was met with mixed reactions from her fan base, with some fans threatening to boycott her music due to her decision to support the event. However, Underwood, in her statement, emphasized her desire to bring the country together despite political divides, calling for unity and hope for the future.

While Rich expressed admiration for Underwood’s willingness to perform at such a significant event, he was also prompted to reflect on the broader issue of political silence within the country music community. His comments focused particularly on artists like Garth Brooks and Brad Paisley, both of whom have publicly supported left-wing causes, yet Rich expressed frustration that so many conservative-leaning artists remained quiet about their political views.

A Call for More Conservative Voices in Country Music

In his remarks, Rich wondered aloud why artists like Garth Brooks, who performed at President Joe Biden’s inauguration and has shown public support for Biden and Hillary Clinton, could be so vocal about their political beliefs. Rich noted that Brooks’ participation in Biden’s inauguration and his vocal support for left-wing causes, including hugs for Clinton and a public embrace of liberal political figures, contrasted sharply with what he perceived as the hesitance of some conservative country stars to speak out.

Rich didn’t stop there—he also criticized Brad Paisley for his actions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Paisley, who partnered with Jill Biden to set up a vaccine distribution site in Nashville, actively encouraged people to get vaccinated and touted the virtues of the vaccine in a public event. While Rich didn’t disagree with the actions of these artists in terms of their right to express their opinions, he questioned why more country music stars with conservative leanings had not come forward to share their support for Trump and similar causes.

Rich continued to voice his frustration about the silence of many country stars who, in his view, were privately supportive of Trump but unwilling to publicly acknowledge it. “Where are the big-time A-listers that are conservative in country music?” he asked. “There are artists out there that I know of who privately support Trump, but they aren’t stepping up. I just don’t understand it.”

The Pressure to Stay Silent

John Rich further pointed out that country artists may be silenced or discouraged from speaking their truth because of fear of backlash from the public or the music industry. He suggested that record labels and major music corporations might play a role in suppressing conservative voices in favor of a more politically neutral or liberal stance. Rich emphasized that many of these artists had large, loyal fan bases that would only grow if they were more open about their conservative views.

In his view, standing up for one’s beliefs—especially in a culture as deeply divided as American politics—is not just an expression of personal conviction but a business opportunity. “If you step forward and speak your mind about what you truly believe and stand for, your crowd is going to get bigger,” Rich argued. “Look at Jason Aldean—did his crowd get bigger after he started speaking out? Yeah, it did.”

Rich’s comments also carried a message of nostalgia for a time when country music was known for its rebellious spirit and outspoken voices. He compared the current climate to the era of legendary artists like Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, and Kristofferson—country music icons who were never afraid to speak out about issues they cared about, regardless of the potential consequences. To Rich, being an “Outlaw” in the country music scene meant being willing to express yourself, even if your opinions were unpopular.

A Divisive Issue in Country Music

The tension Rich addresses is not new. The intersection of music and politics has always been fraught, particularly in the country music genre, which often reflects the values of its audience—many of whom lean conservative. Country music has long been associated with patriotism, traditional values, and support for the working class, making it a natural home for many who supported Trump. However, many artists have faced criticism when they publicly align themselves with political causes, particularly when those causes don’t align with the views of their fan base.

The debate also touches on the broader cultural issues of cancel culture and the fear of alienating audiences. In the case of country music, an industry historically dominated by conservative viewpoints, artists may feel that voicing their political opinions could risk losing part of their audience or even facing professional consequences. Rich’s critique suggests that artists should be more willing to take risks for the sake of their principles.

Conclusion

John Rich’s criticism of his fellow country artists’ reluctance to publicly embrace conservative political views has sparked a wider conversation about the role of political expression in the country music industry. His comments have raised important questions about the pressures artists face to conform to certain expectations and the consequences of speaking out in an increasingly polarized world. As country music continues to evolve, the question remains whether more artists will follow Rich’s call to speak up and stand by their beliefs, or whether the fear of backlash will continue to stifle political discourse within the genre. Regardless of where one stands on the political spectrum, Rich’s message serves as a reminder of the power of music to be a platform for dialogue and change.

Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo continues to prove his leadership extends beyond his dominant on-court performances.

During the Bucks’ recent clash with the Atlanta Hawks, Giannis was seen rallying his teammates with an impassioned speech in the tunnel before the game. The moment highlighted the Greek Freak’s evolving role as a vocal leader, complementing his physical presence as one of the NBA’s most unstoppable players.

The speech, described as “motivational,” was directed at energizing the Bucks’ stars, emphasizing teamwork, focus, and resilience. Giannis’ ability to inspire his teammates demonstrates his growth as a leader, setting the tone for a team with championship aspirations. While known for his humility and hard work, Antetokounmpo’s willingness to step into this vocal role reflects his dedication to fostering a winning mentality within the team.

The speech appeared to galvanize the Bucks, who showcased a strong team effort during the game. Players like Damian Lillard and Khris Middleton have acknowledged Giannis’ influence on and off the court.

Moments like these underscore why Giannis is not only a franchise cornerstone but also a leader capable of lifting his team toward sustained success in their pursuit of another championship. His actions continue to inspire teammates and fans alike.

Bucks Ramp Up Defense for Dominant 122-93 Win Against the Magic

The Milwaukee Bucks clinched their fifth victory in six games with a decisive 122-93 triumph over the Orlando Magic on Wednesday night at Fiserv Forum, bringing their overall record to 22-17. This win also marks their third of the season against the Magic, who now hold a record of 23-19.

This win signifies the first time this season that the Bucks have achieved a five-game lead over the .500 mark.

For the second straight night, the Bucks established dominance early on, jumping to a 34-16 lead in the first quarter, which featured an impressive 19-0 scoring run. The 16 points allowed in that opening quarter represent the fewest Milwaukee has permitted this season.