Constant travel. Cramped buses. Hotel room living. This was the life for Dolly Parton’s band throughout the whirlwind years of the 1970s. Driven by Parton’s burning desire to connect with ever-wider audiences, they crisscrossed the country, their lives condensed into suitcases and tour buses.
While a coveted spot in her band offered a good living, it wasn’t all glitz and glamour. In fact, Parton herself admitted the difficulties of keeping a musician on her crew. There’s a certain mystique that surrounds touring with a legendary musician like Dolly Parton. We imagine the roar of the crowds, the backstage camaraderie, the unforgettable experiences.
But what about the realities of being on the road for months on end? Parton herself acknowledged the challenges of keeping a band together during this period. So, what exactly made staying on tour with the Queen of Country such a demanding gig?
The Revolving Door of Dolly’s Band
Throughout the 1970s, Dolly was on a mission to refine her sound and conquer the music industry. This journey involved constant touring and a revolving door of musicians backing her up on stage. According to her longtime guitarist, Don Roth, Parton wasn’t afraid to make personnel changes.
“Everybody’s afraid they’re gonna get fired; there’s no stability,” Roth revealed in Alanna Nash’s biography, Dolly. Parton prioritized a specific energy and demanded complete dedication from her band. “If she doesn’t like your attitude, if she doesn’t get ‘good vibes’, as esoteric as that is, from you on or off the stage,” Roth explained.
Parton herself recognized this reputation for band turnover. She admitted it stemmed from her unwavering commitment to excellence.
“I’ve Probably Gone Through More Musicians Than Anybody”
The Queen of Country addressed the rumors about her band’s high turnover. “I’ve probably gone through more musicians than anybody,” she conceded, “but it’s not personal.” Dolly clarified that the constant personnel changes weren’t fueled by personal vendettas. However, she did have a reputation in Nashville: “You can’t keep a job with Dolly Parton.”
Parton emphasized her pursuit of musical perfection. “I have to have the perfect sound for me,” she explained, “and I’ve nearly achieved that.” This relentless pursuit translated to high expectations for her band members. “I can’t work with squirrels or dope addicts or drunkards,” Parton declared.
She expects professionalism and dedication. “I expect goodness from my people,” she asserted. Her band members needed to be not only skilled musicians, but also dependable individuals who would uphold the image she envisioned.
Bitter Feelings and Broken Promises
Despite Parton’s insistence that band firings weren’t personal, the reality was more complex. These career changes often left a trail of hurt feelings. Many former band members harbored resentment towards Parton.
Guitarist Don Roth described this negative sentiment. “and, of course, all the people that got fired say, ‘Oh, that [expletive] Dolly!’. ‘‘She promised this and that’.” Roth acknowledged the bitterness some ex-band members felt, highlighting the emotional toll these personnel changes could take.
This revolving door of musicians also created challenges for Parton’s image. The constant negativity from some ex-band members could cast a shadow on her reputation for kindness and professionalism.
Shifting the Burden of Firing to Her Band Leader
While Dolly possessed a sharp ear for the sound she craved, firing musicians who didn’t align with her vision wasn’t easy. According to guitarist Don Roth, her solution was to delegate the unpleasant task to her band leader, Gregg Perry.
“It really is too damned difficult for her to fire people when she loves them,” Roth explained. “and it may not be totally right for her to have somebody else do it, but Gregg was all too willing — always.” Roth acknowledged Gregg’s loyalty, emphasizing that he was simply following orders.
“A great deal of talk is going around town — ‘That son-of-a-b**** fired me.’,” Roth continued. “All the poor bastard did was make a phone call because he was told to. I like Gregg. He’s a good friend of mine. But to Dolly, he got to be a convenience. ” This dynamic, while perhaps easing the emotional burden on Parton, could create resentment directed at Gregg.