Country and Western was a thing of movies and TV shows. Boss Hogg and The Dukes of Hazzard shaped the modern interpretation of what country living was like.

Then there was a lady named Dolly Parton. She was part of the Country and Western lifestyle, but she was real. 'Islands in the Stream' made her a part of a growing audience that embraced the laid-back vibe of old-fashioned country.

Dolly stood out, not just because of her looks, but because of what she had to say—and as it turns out, it was quite a lot.

As an icon, her story was admired because it appeared sincere. As a businessperson, she learned how to manage Dollywood, music publishing, and a series of investments—none of which fit the popular persona of a down-home country girl.

There were two global incidents that some know, but might not appreciate in terms of how we now remember Dolly.

Elvis, Michael Jackson’s ex-father-in-law, wished to sing 'I Will Always Love You'—which she had written—but Dolly would be stripped of full royalties; you know, the 'I will pay you in exposure' deal. Dolly refused the most powerful person in music. The song became a hit when she sang it.

Then Kevin Costner felt the song would strike the right tone for the movie The Bodyguard—and it was not just a hit, it was a global smash. Sometimes, it is not immediately obvious that when you stand on your principles you will be rewarded, even for a song written in 1972 that achieves global superstardom with Whitney Houston delivering a masterful performance in 1992.

'Jolene' was another Dolly hit. The theme was a story of country rivalry, fit to a tee. However, Dolly was something of a rebel. With some of the proceeds from 'I Will Always Love You,' she invested in a Black-owned office complex around 1993. That was not something you saw in those circles. She did it anyway.

Likewise, she agreed that Beyoncé could cover 'Jolene.' The context was a little more controversial—Beyoncé had been blackballed by the country music community, not quietly, but to her face and in no uncertain terms, when they scrubbed her performance from the CMAs. But what was not known at the time was that Beyoncé would be handsomely rewarded with accolades for bucking the system.

There was a parallel: standing up for a principle.

Beyoncé went on to win acclaim for her country tracks, winning Album of the Year, which evaded Beyoncé for years, and taking Best Country Album, which was never awarded to a Black artist.

Sometimes, you cannot write the story, but you can surely influence the outcome, and Dolly knew that. These moments opened up the genre to a whole new audience that connected the dots back to Dolly—the same person who made an investment in the COVID-19 vaccine when the world was shut in their homes, afraid.

This is how decisions in life tell a person's story. Dolly was no saint, but she was certainly no sinner. She was genuinely admired and beloved for being Dolly Parton: entertainer, philanthropist, and kind person. She will always be loved.

As a marketing and communication consultancy in Bermuda, when creating campaigns, rdis Bermuda looks at the touchstones that help tell a story. While AI tries to understand sentiment, we actually know how to weave the threads of creative presentation with thoughtful context.

The story of Dolly is an inspiration; while her passing is sad, it gives us an opportunity to pause and reflect on what an exceptional businessperson she was, while retaining our admiration for her kindness.