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This week, ballads tell stories about all kinds of real-life events, but after Hurricane Helene, one group of ballad singers felt some topics were still too raw. Also, the author of a book on ancient Ohio credits a former grad student with introducing him to the region’s mysterious earthworks. And, the legacy of Affrilachian poet Norman Jordan includes a summer camp for teens to study their heritage.
A portrait of the late Dolly Parton surrounded by flowers and cards in a memorial sits outside her home Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, in Brentwood, Tenn.George Walker IV/AP Photo
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We remember the one and only Dolly Parton.
Dolly used her musical success to help others. She started the Imagination Library, a free book program for children that included some of her favorites, like the Little Engine that Could.
And,Dolly’s kindness touched people from all walks of life.
Mountain Stage Host Kathy Mattea Remembers Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton and Kathy Mattea on the set of “Conversations with Burt Reynolds” in 1992.
Courtesy of Kathy Mattea/Bob Schatz
Since her estate made the announcement of her passing on Aug. 25, grieving fans have written tributes and fond remembrances. Mountain Stage host and fellow country music star Kathy Mattea, who has spent a little time with Dolly, shared a few memories with Host Mason Adams.
East Tennessee Mourns Dolly Parton In Her Hometown
Dolly Parton was born in Sevier County, Tennessee, and gave back to the Appalachian region throughout her life.
Photo Credit: Katie Myers/BPR
Blue Ridge Public Radio’s Katie Myers lives in east Tennessee. And she was in Sevier County, Tennessee on assignment the day it was announced Dolly had died. While in the area, Myers visited Dolly’s statue in Sevierville and brought us this story.
Author Spent Nearly A Decade Researching Dolly Parton’s Songwriting
The cover of Unlikely Angel: The Songs of Dolly Parton by Lydia R. Hamessley.
Courtesy of University of Illinois Press
Dolly Parton recorded more than 1,000 songs. But — crucially — she was also a song writer, who wrote more than 3,000 songs, including tracks that were recorded by many, many others.
Lydia Hamessley is a professor of music at Hamilton College, in New York, and the author of Unlikely Angel: The Songs of Dolly Parton. She spent nearly a decade researching Dolly’s music catalog.
Associate Producer Abby Neff talked with Hamessley.
Imagination Library Grows Throughout W.Va.
Former WVPB Executive Producer Suzanne Higgins (right) speaks with Dolly Parton during her visit to Charleston, West Virginia, on Aug. 9, 2022.
Photo Credit: Butch Antolini/West Virginia Public Broadcasting
For all of her musical success, a lot of people have spent the time since her death talking about her community work. A huge part of that, was Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, an early childhood literacy program she started in 1995. The program mails free, high-quality books to children from birth to age five, no matter their family’s income.
In 2022, Dolly visited West Virginia, to celebrate the moment when all 55 of the state’s counties became part of the Imagination Library.
WVPB’s then Executive Producer Suzanne Higgins met Dolly at the Clay Center in Charleston and spoke with her about the origins of the program and why it was so dear to her.
Willie Carver On Dolly Parton, Queerness And Being Mortal
Dolly Parton attends the opening of Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s exhibit ‘Dolly Parton: Journey of a Seeker’ at Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on May 19, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Jason Kempin/Getty Images
Dolly also meant a lot to educator, author and poet Willie Carver Jr. from east Kentucky. He wrote a piece forMSNOW memorializing her life and death.
Producer Bill Lynch spoke with Carver about the loss of Dolly Parton.
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Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert. Other music this week was provided by Blue Dot Sessions, Mountain Stage with a recorded live performance by Kathy Mattea. Additional music from Ron Mullennex and Dolly Parton.
Bill Lynch is our producer. Abby Neff is our associate producer. Our executive producer is Eric Douglas. Irina Zhorov is our editor. Our audio mixer is Patrick Stephens.
You can send us an email: InsideAppalachia@wvpublic.org.
On this West Virginia Week, rules are in the works for data centers, lawmakers request a meeting with Flock, and the fate of West Virginia's chestnuts.
This week, ballads tell stories about all kinds of real-life events, but after Hurricane Helene, one group of ballad singers felt some topics were still too raw. Also, the author of a book on ancient Ohio credits a former grad student with introducing him to the region’s mysterious earthworks. And, the legacy of Affrilachian poet Norman Jordan includes a summer camp for teens to study their heritage.
When Hurricane Helene tore through western North Carolina in 2024, it took lives and upended communities. A community of ballad singers lost a place where they could share their tradition, but what was lost could be restored.
