Dollywood! RB and I made a pilgrimage to that great land over Thanksgiving, and it was significantly less boobsy, and more Jesus-y, than I had imagined… I expected roller coasters with names like “Twin Peaks” and sodas served in “D-cups” (for Dollywood, of course), but Dollywood was resolutely family-friendly.
But still, this is Dolly we’re talking about. So there was some subversiveness to be had – you just had to seek it out.
For your viewing pleasure, a collection of photos from the Dolly museum. First, up, Dolly with…
… Grace Jones, who may or may not be a vampire. Also, we have Dolly with…
… Rod Stewart, making a Cher sandwich! It’s a little bit country, a little bit rock and roll. Oh, Rod! Next up, Dolly with…
… Andy Warhol, of course! Prof. Waterman, I trust you are including Andy’s interactions with Dolly as part of your new course. And finally, this most amusing juxtaposition of Dolly with…
…. Carol “B”urnett.
Dollywood, people! Where you can see the actual Coat of Many Colors, plus the dry-cleaning receipt upon which Dolly wrote that song:
… and where, if you tire of Dollyania, you can always just buy a few dozen candles in the shape of angels.
This has been a message from the Committee of People who Don’t Know Whether to Mock or Love Dollywood. Or Both.
Both, though the balance tips toward love, if not devotion.
I can’t thank you enough for sharing this. I didn’t even know it existed. But next time I’m in Tennessee consider me there.
Bryan, you would love Dollywood. It’s part amusement park, part crafts fair, part museum, part gospel-country-bluegrass showcase. It can be cloying (obviously), but if you just skate right past that and immerse yourself in the Dollyness, it’s a good time.
But look at the unicorns! What’s not to love? Nothing! I love all these photos – thanks for sharing!
Coat of many colors! Dry cleaning receipt! Amazing. I love the photos with Warhol and Grace Jones, especially. However well rounded she is, Dolly always kept her edge. Thanks, LP!
This is great.
Did we talk here about that stupid NYT essay about “how to live unironically”? This post is why that essay was stupid. Just because there’s some irony involved doesn’t mean you can’t genuinely love a thing.
4: “well rounded”! I see what you did!
5: So true. I often love things more specifically because there’s irony involved. cf. the song “Xanadu.”
6: cf. the entire MOVIE Xanadu. I love it ironically, and deeply.
As usual, LP remains one step ahead of the culture.
I kind of like being cloyed.
7: I believe Xanadu produced my first ever movie-star crush. I felt so… special when I saw Olivia Newton-John skating around! I wanted her to be my BEST FRIEND!
8: What? Dolly did a book? Why didn’t she call me?
I kind of wondered if she had! & maybe this was, like, subtle self-promotion. Ah, well. Dolly’s loss.