“Sure, why can’t they get married? They should suffer like the rest of us do”
– Dolly on her thoughts about gay marriage in 2009
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This is a serious comment -not political - I think the Kennedy Center should be renamed for Dolly Parton - she epitomizes American performing arts!
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I respectfully disagree. I love and admire Dolly Parton, but the Kennedy Center was named to memorialize JFK, and for good reason (see below). That purpose shouldn’t change.
I absolutely hope Dolly receives a fitting memorial of her own, but her role as a performer and song writer are only part of what makes her worthy. Her character, generosity, commitment to literacy, and the many ways she has used her platform to lift up others are equally deserving of a lasting memorial. One of my favorites was her donations to early COVID research, and her advocacy for the COVID vaccines when they came out. I wouldn’t be surprised if she memorialized herself through her estate. I bet she was generous to some great causes.
From Google AI
Why was the Performing Arts Center named after Kennedy?
The Performing Arts Center in Washington, D.C., was named after President John F. Kennedy as a living memorial to honor his profound dedication to the growth of the performing arts and his active championship of the project during his presidency.
Originally set in motion by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1958 as the “National Cultural Center,” the project languished due to a lack of funding. After taking office, President Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy threw the full weight of the White House behind it, personally leading a massive $30 million fundraising campaign starting in 1962. Two months after JFK’s assassination in November 1963, Congress passed a resolution officially renaming the center to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, which was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson on January 23, 1964.
The Washington Post once famously called Kennedy “the best friend culture has had in the White House since Thomas Jefferson”. His commitment to the arts was grounded in the belief that a great civilization is measured not just by its military or economic power, but by its soul and its contribution to the human spirit.
Key aspects of his arts dedication include:
Art and Democracy: Kennedy viewed art as inherently democratic and a crucial element of a free society. He famously declared, Art is the great democrat, calling forth creative genius from every sector of society, disregarding race or religion or wealth or color".
Laying the Foundation for Federal Support: Kennedy was instrumental in setting up the architecture that eventually became the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), institutionalizing federal support for American culture.
The "Camelot” White House: JFK and Jacqueline Kennedy transformed the White House into a vibrant hub for the arts. They routinely hosted concerts and dynamic performances, elevating the social standing of musicians, poets, and visual artists. For his 1961 inauguration, Kennedy invited the poet Robert Frost to read a poem, marking the first time a poet participated in a presidential inauguration.
Art as Diplomatic Truth: Kennedy believed that artists play a vital role as a country’s ultimate truth-tellers. In his legendary 1963 speech at Amherst College, he remarked: “When power leads men towards arrogance, poetry reminds him of his limitations. When power narrows the areas of man’s concern, poetry reminds him of the richness and diversity of existence. When power corrupts, poetry cleanses”.
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I did just hear that there is a movement towards renaming the Nashville airport the Dolly Parton International Airport. Makes sense to me as a way to honor her memory.
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My condolences to the people of Norway. If anyone thought that the British Royal Family with Harry, Meghan, and Andrew is the biggest Dumpster fire, the current generation of Norwegian royals has a series of scandals that rivals—and in some ways, surpasses—the Windsors.
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There is a huge interest here in middle TN to rename the airport, but there are a few obstacles. First, evidently the rules say someone must have died at least 2 years ago. Secondly, the person has to have had some impact on aviation. We have a significant problem with the state level lawmakers fighting over airport control with the city lawmakers, but this is one situation where there may be a rules change for accommodating the interest in renaming. Another issue though is the cost of renaming is $10 million + and money doesn’t grow on trees… I hope they can figure out a reasonable way to make this happen, though.
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I still think of him as the toddler fleeing WWII with his mother and sisters, being separated from his father, losing his mother to cancer. I loved the series Atlantic Crossing on PBS and learned a lot of history about the invasion of the northern countries.
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Perhaps they can name something after her - a road into the airport, a terminal, an area inside the airport. They don’t have to change the call letters to rename a road or set up a reading play area for toddlers. And everyone can still call it the Dolly Parton airport.
They don’t have to change the call letters - technically airport codes - for an airport either. Most remain the same after renaming, eg BOS, ATL
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PBI
Oh, not that one. DJT and the airlines sent me an update itinerary to notify me.
Hence my use of the word “most.”
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An example of how Dolly transcended generations!
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My daughters have been attending the Newport Folk Festival for at least the last 15 years. The highlight is always the surprise special guest on Sunday.
A few years ago the surprise guest was Dolly Parton----they still talk to this day how much she was revered by the crowd!
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Google Dolly Parton and click the butterfly at the bottom.
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"Born in the Bronx in 1945, Nadler eventually switched coasts to pursue a career in comedy. He discovered his passion for stand-up as a theater major at Ithaca College. He established a close personal and professional relationship with director Gary Marshall, and contributed jokes to nine of Marshall’s movies, including “Pretty Woman,” “Runaway Bride” and “Mother’s Day.” Marshall considered Nadler his good luck charm, and gave him on-screen cameo roles in each of those movies. "
Hey, someone whose college major actually fit their career!
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Wendell Berry, beloved Kentucky author, passed away today. A champion for the environment and peace, I need to read some more of his books.
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RIP Cassandra Wilson, jazz singer
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