Billy Ray Cyrus decided to celebrate Dolly Day – fittingly taking place on 9/25 – by sharing one of his most prized possessions with the world.
All across the country, and all across the world, for that matter, fans of the late, great Dolly Parton have celebrated her life on what’s being called “Dolly Parton Day.” September 25 was chosen as a day of Dolly recognition because of it’s nod to one of the Queen of Country Music’s biggest hits: “9 to 5.”
Tributes have poured in all day long, and places like Nashville, Tennessee have even laid out special celebrations to honor Parton. At 5 PM on the dot, venues all across Music City took a pause to play “9 to 5.” Many building and bridges in the city are set to be lit up in pink, and a special fireworks will take place at… you guessed it, 9:25 PM.
As for Billy Ray Cyrus, he decided to use the day to reflect on his relationship with the country music icon and godmother to his daughter, Miley. The “Achy Breaky Heart” singer even shared a special note that he got from Dolly back in 1992. He considers it one of the greatest gifts he’s ever gotten:
“Never have I shared this… until now. I’ve posted one of my most prized possessions before: a handwritten letter from Johnny Cash. This one sits right beside it. To me they go together… Brother Cash and Sister Parton. They are the hearts and minds of two of my heroes that both took the time to express their most personal and sincere thoughts to an ole Kentucky Boy.
Dolly Parton gave it to me a few weeks after we first met in Chicago in the spring of 1992. ‘Achy Breaky Heart’ was just beginning to take off and ‘Some Gave All’ hadn’t even been released yet. And soon after I received this letter, we’d go on to sing ‘Romeo’ together with Tanya Tucker, Kathy Mattea and Mary Chapin Carpenter.”
Just goes to show how much Dolly Parton meant to everyone in the country music world. A note that maybe took Parton a couple of minutes to write ended up meaning the world to Billy Ray.
Obviously, that was just the beginning of Cyrus and Parton’s friendship. They’d go on to perform together and even star in Hannah Montana with one another, as the 65-year-old added:
“So many memories and moments with Dolly, from network television specials to ‘Hannah Montana.’ More than 30 years later, we’d do our last song together, ‘Christmas Where We Are.’ Today felt like the right day to share it. Shine on, Dolly.”
Still so sad that we now live in a world without the Queen of Country. But she’s definitely still shining on, and will do so for decades to come.
As for the note that Dolly gave Billy Ray, it was a sweet and thoughtful message wishing her fellow country music artist the best.
And in classic, polite, Dolly Parton fashion, she apologized to Cyrus for stammering and blushing when they first met each other:
“Billy, I’m glad to be working with you. I’ve been looking forward to it for a few weeks now. I’m proud of what’s going on with you. I too think you are special.
I wish you even more success in the years to come. I’m sorry I stammered and blushed when I met you, but I’m just like all the other girls these days (just a little older).”
It’s easy to see why that’s one of Billy Ray Cyrus’ prized possessions.
Dolly was always known to write thoughtful notes throughout her career. Even rapper Eminem shared a letter he had received from the “Jolene” singer following her passing. And it’s very clear that, anytime she took the time to extend some kind, written words, the recipient always found what she had to say to be incredibly special.
Oh, and here’s the song that Billy Ray gave a shoutout to, in case you’ve never given it a listen:
“Romeo”
