Ever since I can remember, I’ve loved country music. Growing up in Texas in the ‘70s and ‘80s, there was plenty of it on the radio, on friends’ cassettes, and live at dance halls like Gilleys.
Not that I ever went to Gilleys, but the performers there recorded enough songs to fill an entire radio station. Today our cars’ radios alternate between kids’ CDs and 97.1, a station dedicated to playing the Country Legends of the ‘60s, ‘70s, and ‘80s.
I love just about every song, especially anything by Dolly Parton.
Which is why last night was so wonderful. Dolly came to town, and my friend, Jen, and I got to see her.
Best. Concert. Ever.
Not only did Dolly sing lots of her old songs, but she was so humble and sweet and loveable. Between songs she told stories about her life, especially about growing up in a one-room shack with her eleven brothers and sisters and no running water.
But two parts of the concert made it one of my favorite memories.
First, the crowd. There was no typical Dolly fan. There were grandmas and grandpas with wheelchairs and walkers, blue-collar women and white-collar men. Dolly’s enthusiasm for life, humor, and happiness were so infectious that everyone loved her. And she loved performing. When she sang I Will Always Love You to us, her fans, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.
It wasn’t the eclectic fans or Dolly’s passion that made this the best concert ever. It was Dolly’s faith that made last night so unique.
She spoke passionately about Jesus’ sacrifice for us, about her faith in God, and her love for Him. She began just about every song by sharing a testimony of her faith. Please, click here and watch Dolly perform one of her spirituals. My iPhone recordings weren’t nearly as good, but she did sing this song last night.
So uplifting.
Thanks, Dolly, for a concert like none other.
