Reba McEntire missed a call from Dolly Parton before her death
Reba McEntire missed a call from Dolly Parton before she died and never found out what the country music icon wanted.
Reba McEntire missed a call from Dolly Parton before she died.
The 71-year-old country star first met the late musical icon in 1977 at her Grand Ole Opry debut and despite being star-struck by Dolly, the pair went on to form a decades-long friendship.
And, Reba has revealed that Dolly – who passed away in August at the age of 80 after a brief battle with cancer – called her the month before she died but she missed the call and was unable to get back in touch with her.
She told Entertainment Tonight: “She did call me the last of July, and I was in a meeting and I missed her call. I tried to get back in touch with her and I couldn’t; never made connection. And then when my buddy called me and said, ‘Dolly’s gone,’ I thought, ‘I’ll never know why she called me.’ I’ll find out one day.”
Reba has previously shared all about her first meeting with Dolly, and how she was so thrilled to meet one of her musical heroes that she didn’t care when one of her Grand Old Opry debut songs was cut, in order to facilitate Dolly’s unexpected appearance.
McEntire recalled: "They came to me and said one of my songs was going to have to be cut because Dolly Parton had just walked in the back door."
Rather than being disappointed, McEntire said she was thrilled by the opportunity to meet one of her musical heroes.
The Whoever's in New England singer said: "I said, 'Heck, you can have both of them if I can just meet Dolly!'"
McEntire remembers Dolly making a memorable entrance in a glamorous outfit that perfectly matched her signature style.
McEntire said: “I will never forget her walking through in this beautiful black chiffon outfit with rhinestone butterflies.
"She looked just like an angel!"
Following Dolly's death at age 80 last month, McEntire paid tribute to her longtime friend at the Emmy Awards in September, by performing Parton’s 1983 song Appalachian Memories.
After the performance, McEntire shared an emotional message for the late singer.
She said: “I love you, Dolly. So much."
And, she also spoke about her love for Dolly, immediately after the star’s death, writing on social media: “Dolly, thank you for all the wonderful things you did for us here on earth. Your love, your music and you gave so much with your huge huge heart. There will never ever be another you. We will remember and cherish every memory and every note you ever played and sang. Thank you, Lord, for Dolly. She’s gonna have a blast in heaven singing all her favorite songs with all her family and friends who have gone on before her.
“I’ll never forget the first time I met you and I’ll never forget our last conversation. I hold it with love in my heart. I will always love you (sic).”
