Doing what comes naturally by Sandra Conte and Zandalee
Moving Image in Popular Culture – music,
video and performance
Dolly Parton is prolific, possibly beyond the realisation of many people. For over five decades, she has written and sung about the country she knows and ‘hits’ of her work have brought good fortune to many artists who have covered them; her ongoing, world ‘Blue Smoke Tour’ is providing the same magic she has always passed down to her fans with an added dimension – Moving Image. The simple yet spectacular stage-set allows the artist to bring the audience into her songline, to travel her mountain roads. Standing or perched front centre stage of two large scale screens shaped like butterfly wings, Dolly Parton takes on a positively angelic appearance. Later in the Blue Smoke concert, showcasing this her 42nd studio album, the songstress is enveloped in a moving image backdrop, poignant with the soft descent of a singular, white feather as she sings the mournful , technically flawless ‘Little Sparrow’, bringing such rich, heartfelt sensitivity to her delivery that you can hear a pin drop. Dolly has a genuine connection with her environment, its flora and fauna. In fact all creatures great and small do not escape the watchful eye of this seemingly ageless woman who sometimes comes across as a regular ‘Little Sparrow’, performed by Dolly Snow White; this is Parton, photograph especially so with her by Kyle Bryce Imagination Library which has taken off around the world to ensure no page goes unturned for children entitled to experience a love of reading through receiving their own books posted by Dolly’s dream organisation.
The Imagination Library ‘Bookish’ is not a word one would readily use to describe Ms Dolly Parton but take a moment to listen to her speak passionately about her world-beating Imagination Library and you will see why she is drawn to literature. Dolly writes and sings her own lyrics and for the last several years has been dancing to the added tune of her Imagination Library. Dolly explains through her Imagination Library website – “When I was growing up in the hills of East Tennessee, I knew my dreams would come true. I know there are children in your community with their own dreams. They dream of becoming a doctor or an inventor or a minister. Who knows, maybe there is a little girl whose dream is to be a writer and singer. The seeds of these dreams are often found in books and the seeds you help plant in your community can grow across the world. I hope you’ll agree to become a champion of the Imagination Library in your community. You will be amazed at the impact this simple gift can have on the lives of children and their families. We have seen it work in our backyard and I’m certain it can do the same in your community too! I appreciate your interest in my Imagination Library and thank you for all you continue to do for children.” www.imaginationlibrary.com/
Dolly Parton and representatives from the American Printing House for the Blind present Braille copies of The Little Engine That Could and Parton’s children’s book I Am A Rainbow to visually-impaired child Cameron Burkett to celebrate the Imagination Library literacy program’s expansion to include a limited selection of Braille books. Photograph by Duane Gordon of www.dollymania.net
Moving Image – moves mountains
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