The late singer and songwriter Dolly Parton loved receiving and responding to fan mail.
She was also known to write supportive letters to fellow artists and for her gracious thank-you notes.
Parton, who died Aug. 25, regularly received mail at the Grand Ole Opry, which has its own Post Office and mailbox system for current members. The mailboxes are located backstage in the venue of what is considered the heart of country music in Nashville, TN.
Dan Rogers, the Opry’s senior vice president and executive producer, said, “Her Opry mailbox is always full, and as soon as it is emptied, it fills up again.”
Parton was an Opry member for 57 years and performed more than 100 times on its stage.
“There is no doubt that Dolly Parton, who was of course larger than life, had the most mail coming in day after day, and it’s the most colorful mail that comes in too. It’s always full of pinks, and blues and yellows from people writing cards and letters in colorful envelopes. We have continued to receive mail on her behalf and will continue to for some time of which I’m certain,” Rogers said.
He also vouches for Parton’s prolific letter writing.
“Every year, the Opry sends its members a holiday gift of some sort, and without fail, Dolly would send a thank-you note almost like clockwork in January. It was never generic and always mentioned the particular gift that had been given. We were thrilled to receive thank-you notes from her,” he said.
Parton wrote supportive letters to other artists and congratulated fellow contenders.
Eminem recently shared his appreciation of Parton, who wrote a congratulatory letter to him after both were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2022.
The rapper called the country legend a “superstar in every sense.” In the letter, Parton congratulated him on the honor and praised his performance during the ceremony. She also encouraged him to continue creating work that inspires others.
In 2006, Parton was up for the Best Original Song category of the Academy Awards. She lost out to Three 6 Mafia, the first hip-hop group to win an Oscar.
“She sent us a letter, and she signed it and said, ‘Congratulations, and I’m glad that somebody from Tennessee won the Oscar,’” said Juicy J, a member of the Memphis-based group.
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