It’s no surprise that the words used to describe Dolly Parton’s performance in 2016 at the accesso ShoWare Center in Kent were “unforgettable” and “amazing.”
That depicts the kind of woman and musician she was. Parton, 80, died of cancer Aug. 25 at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville, Tennessee.
“We are saddened to hear about the passing of Dolly Parton today,” the ShoWare Center posted Aug. 25 on Facebook. “Her 2016 performance at accesso ShoWare Center was unforgettable.”
Several of the Facebook comments from people who attended her country concert on Sept. 21, 2016, all used the word amazing.
“She was amazing in this show!” (Christy Bannister Birch)
“Was an amazing concert.” (Chad Edwards)
“Such an amazing performer and human.” (Erica Kiesler)
When the ShoWare Center put tickets on sale April 29, 2016 for Parton’s Pure & Simple tour, the show sold out its 6,000 tickets in two hours, according to a Kent Reporter article. Tickets were resold for between $231 to $874 after original prices of $39.50 to $125.
Fans certainly considered that money well spent.
“That was a major coup and it speaks to how we continue to get traction in the country music market,” said then-city of Kent economic and community development director Ben Wolters about attracting the Parton concert to Kent.
Among Parton’s top songs are “Jolene” (1973); “I Will Always Love You” (1974); “9 to 5” (1980); “Coat of Many Colors” (1971); “Here You Come Again (1977); and “Islands in the Stream” (1983), a duet with Kenny Rogers.
Parton won 10 Grammy Awards and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (2011).
