AUSTIN (KXAN) — Dolly Parton, a national treasure and beloved by all, died at the age of 80. Though she was a Tennessean, she had many connections to Austin and Texas as a whole.
Dolly Parton has died, family announces: ‘She will always love you’
To honor and remember her, KXAN compiled some of Dolly’s iconic Texas moments.
Movie Premiere 1982
Parton co-starred with Burt Reynolds in “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas,” which premiered in Austin at the Paramount Theatre in July 1982.
The movie was filmed in Texas across several towns, including Pflugerville, Austin, Halletsville, Austin and Victoria, according to IMDb.
NASA performance 1989
In May 1989, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers performed together for the first time during a concert at the Johnson Space Center for 15,000 NASA employees and family members.
‘Pure & Simple Tour’ 2016
Dolly Parton made a stop in Austin on the “Pure & Simple Tour” on Dec. 6, 2016 at the Frank Erwin Center.
This was her final major headlining tour.
SXSW 2022
Parton performed at Austin City Limits Live in 2022 during Blockchain Creative Labs’ Dollyverse event at the South by Southwest Music Festival.
Parton also joined author James Patterson for a discussion on her first-ever book, “RUN, ROSE, RUN,” which Patterson co-authored, during the SXSW event. Parton also released an album under the same name.
Brigitte Bandit’s bejeweled guitar 2023
At the end of 2023, famous Austin drag performer and activist, Brigitte Bandit, received a surprise gift from Dolly Parton. She opened the gift during a gig in downtown Austin to find an acoustic guitar adorned with white and pink rhinestones and a personalized message reading, “To Brigitte. Love, Dolly Parton.”
Dolly Parton sends signed, bejeweled guitar to Austin drag performer Brigitte Bandit
58th annual Academy of Country Music Awards 2023
Parton co-hosted the 58th annual Academy of Country Music Awards with Garth Brooks in Frisco in May 2023.
She performed a live debut of her song “World on Fire” during the awards ceremony.
Dallas Cowboys halftime performance 2023
Dolly Parton, dressed in the iconic Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders’ uniform, performed at halftime during an NFL game between the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Commanders in Nov. 2023 in Arlington.
Kendra Scott collaboration 2024
Kendra Scott, an Austin-based jewelry company, and Dolly Parton released a limited-edition collection celebrating the 50th anniversary of Parton’s song “Love Is Like a Butterfly.”…