Dolly Parton is being celebrated by Netflix with a collection that includes “Dolly Parton’s heartstrings,” “Here I am” and “Dolly Parton: A MusiCares Tribute.” The collection is a beautiful overview of Parton’s iconic career. The collection offers a variety of visual works that tell the story of Parton’s artistry and her life. Through this collection, it’s so easy to see why Parton is considered an icon and loved so deeply by many around the world.

I would recommend starting the collection with “Here I am.”  If you are a new fan of  Parton’s, this is the perfect way to get to know her story, or if you’re someone who’s kept up with her throughout her career, this documentary will be a great walk down memory lane of her life and career. 

The documentary puts everything that’s loved about the Queen of Country into visuals. It starts with her upbringing in the east hills of Tennessee where she discovered her passion for music. From there, the audience watches as Parton leaves for Nashville to pursue her dreams, makes a name for herself, begins acting and morphs into the big haired, acrylic wearing, sparkle dress country queen that we know her to be. 

The documentary is complemented by friends and former co-workers such as Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Linda Perry, Mac Davis and her manager Danny Nozell. Hearing from Parton’s inner circle gave insight into Parton’s many phases of life and who she really is beyond the lights. 

Fans of Parton will love learning of the storied behind songs like “Dumb Blonde,” “coat of many colors,” “9 to 5,” and her bluegrass songs. The documentary is also great to look at Parton’s many magnificent looks throughout the years, and her fantastic personality. It’s great to see that no matter where she’s been, or what she’s doing, Dolly Parton has always been true to her nature.

After getting to know Parton’s story, take a look at the “Dolly Parton: A MusiCares Tribute”. The tribute gives the feel of being at a concert, or an award show prior to COVID. It’s also an opportunity to match the stories you heard in the documentary to the music. For dedicated fans it’s a moment for you to sing all of your favorite Dolly Parton songs

 “Dolly Parton: A MusiCares Tribute” was filmed in 2019 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. It’s a tribute concert where Parton is honored as Musicares person of the year. It’s a full on concert filled with other icons singing some of Parton’s best hits.

 Tributes are always fun because they bring people across generations together for their love of an artist. You’ll find young people and old people singing in the audience together, and artists of one genre and another singing together on stage sharing their love for someone’s music. It’s one of the most blatant examples where you can see that music brings people together.

 Some of the highlight performances and appearances come from Kacey Musgraves and Katy Perry Garth Brooks, Willie Nelson and Brandy Carlile, Yolanda Adams, Miley Cyrus, Shawn Mendes and Mark Ronson. With iconic artists such as Dolly Parton, it’s hard to match even half of what the original artist brings to the song, but these artists were able to not only do the songs justice they also added to them.

 Toward the end of the tribute, Parton walks on stage to a standing ovation looking as “Dolly” as ever. She talks about her days as a child at her Tennessee Mountain home when she would pretend she was singing at the grand ole opry. She said, “It was her dream and it’s a long long way from the hills of East Tennessee to the Hollywood hills, but it has been a wonderful journey.” 

I think that perfectly captures not just the essence of this tribute, but the entire collection. It’s an opportunity to reflect and see just how far her career has come, and the impact it’s had on her, the fans and the music industry as a whole. 

Finally, if after watching the other movies from the special you want to continue on your Dolly Parton binge, watch a few episodes from “Dolly Parton’s Heartstrings.” This limited series is a beautiful way of incorporating Parton’s timeless music into the modern world. 

Each episode has a Parton song that is incorporated into the plotline. The series addresses topics like coming out to family, respect for the LGBT community, Women’s empowerment, friendship, young love, facing adversity and more.

The theme of the series is family, faith, and forgiveness. It’s great to watch with friends or family and discuss the nuances of all the situations displayed in the show. This series makes it so easy to see why Dolly has fans from all backgrounds. She’s not only welcoming of people from all walks of life, but she deeply respects them and values all the lessons that life has to offer. 

In this collection, Parton has managed to commemorate yet again why she’s so deeply loved in the world of music. This collection is so personable and fun loving, at times it even feels like Parton is just in your living room talking to you.