Kathie, Kathy, Dolly and Punk Rock

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On August 25th, 2026 the world stopped with the news that Dolly Parton had passed away.  It was a shockwave that was felt by so many.  Everyone who had ever been touched by her music and her kindness was saddened to learn that the earth would keep spinning without The Smoky Mountain Songbird. We were so lucky to live in a timeline that saw us floating on this space rock with such a bright and selfless human being.  So how would we cope?  For me this bombshell coincided with my mom, Kathie, coming up to Nashville to see my new house and celebrate her birthday.  She was also arriving in Music City with her friend, Kathy, who was also celebrating her birthday.  The best thing that we could do was to dive headfirst into the sounds and soul of Dolly.

Thanks to my friend Josh we scored three tickets to the Grand Ole Opry.  I felt kinda bad asking Josh for some tickets (he works at the Opry) because when I reached out I noticed that our last text thread had been one year ago, almost to the day, and I had been asking for tickets because my mom was coming into town for her birthday.  We ended that thread by saying something to the effect of “we should hang out more”. He didn’t hesitate though because he knows what it means to me.  He understands that two things that I hold dear are music and family.  He is the same. Dolly seemed to be the same. Within a few minutes we had our three tickets for Friday, on the lower floor of the venue.  He and I will definitely hang out more this year. Probably. Maybe.

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Kathie and I had obviously been to The Opry before, but Kathy had not.  So, shortly after picking up the two Kathi (plural of Kathie and Kathy) we made our way over to the show.  My new house is essentially across the street from the world famous building which made it extra easy to get over there quickly and make a night of it.  We didn’t know what to expect with the passing of our beloved icon, but we hoped that there would be some kind of tribute displayed by the artists to honor her death.  There sure was.  Obviously the sentiment could not be overlooked and everyone on the bill dedicated a song, played one of hers or said something special about her. The lineup was Mark Wills, Connie Smith, Adam Chaffins, Riders in the Sky, John Conlee, Hannah McFarland, The Shootouts and Sister Sadie.

Every artist proved that music heals. Even though we were without Dolly physically, she was right there with us that blessed evening. As long as we continue to say her name (and rename the Nashville Airport), listen to her gorgeous voice and hear those exemplary lyrics she will live in our hearts and minds forever. We will never go without.  And so that is what myself and the Kathi Kollection did.  We teared up in the graciousness of Dolly’s selflessness but more importantly we smiled because she had left us so much to be happy for.  It is easy to dwell in the darkness sometimes but if you look for the light you can usually find solace and Miss Parton would want us to seek out the goodness and enjoy the sunshine.

The next night we got tickets to an unexpected show (Thanks again Josh) and we moseyed over The Ryman.  The Mother Church as it is known is a place that I have become quite familiar with but neither of the Special K’s that I was rolling with had been inside before.  My mom and I had walked the hallowed grounds of the former place of worship but this was our first trip to a show there.  The musician that night was Daniel Donato who orchestrates a style of music monikered Cosmic Country.  We looked him up online and again, made the choice to say “yes” and go see this 31-year old guitar aficionado. He sounded like a newer version of The Grateful Dead meets Phish and I wasn’t sure we would fit into his normal demographic, but we were simply following the music.  It wasn’t up to us anymore.  The universe was now driving the bus and we were just along for the ride. When we arrived we were certainly noticeable as the folks without tie-dyed shirts or sandals and it appeared that his audience on site had been to multiple performances.  However, we did fit it because music is inclusive.  Despite whatever difference we might have outside the show, inside these walls we were all equal and all equally enjoying the tasty tunes that this kid (I am that many years old) was throwing down. This is not an article where I go into details about the setlist or a review of the artist, this is about the feelings that were evoked and the experience that we felt. And in that sense, we danced between the pews that line the event space and soaked up the cosmic rays that came piercing off the strings of Daniel’s guitar.  Our senses were heightened and our hearts filled.

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We packed so much into the weekend that I could fill countless notebooks with all of our experiences.  So, I will skip ahead to Monday and a trip to the Country Music Hall of Fame and the new Dolly Parton exhibit that had just opened in May of last year called “Journey of a Seeker”.  Before heading in we found ourselves across the street at the Country Music Walk of Fame perusing the stars embedded in the sidewalk.  There was no doubt where Dolly’s star sat, as that whole area was covered with flowers and keepsakes that people had come to lay beside the memorial.  We stood in silence for a few moments and paid our respects, before crossing the street into the museum to go see this highly anticipated display of Dolly memorabilia.

Kathy, Kathie and I were mesmerized by the curation of this collection.  If you have a chance to go before it gets dissolved please do. According to the museum’s website this display goes away on October 4th, but I am hoping they expand that date. Many of Parton’s dresses, boots, handwritten lyric sheets and guitars peer back at onlookers from behind glass and regale the tales about a lifetime of work.  We were enamored by the plethora of goods that we were able to put our eyes on whilst tape rolled in the background with that voice singing her hits and videos of Dolly taking on interviewers like she was born for the role.  Because she was a born leader and the voice of not just a generation, but also a nation. In Dolly We Trust.

We stayed at the museum for another hour and absorbed the history of so many greats, many of whom helped shape our platinum blonde matriarch. Before I knew it though time had caught up to us and it was time for the Kathi to head back to the airport.  We talked about music and about all the amazing paths that we had journeyed down in just a few days. Music is a guideline and a map of experience.  It’s why I collect vinyl, tapes and CD’s.  These are the diaries of my life. I can tell you who I was with and where we were within each and every song and now I have more entries for my life’s journal because of this time with my mom and her friend – who is also now my friend.  As I pulled into the departures lane of BNA (the future home of Dolly Parton International) we said our goodbyes and then I headed into the next chapter which was a punk rock show at The Pinnacle.  

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Once again, I was down because this wonderful visit had ended, but music was there to lift me up again.  Social Distortion was headlining one of the newest Nashville venues and it was my first time there.  It was also going to be my 7th time seeing Social D and my first time ever seeing them sober.  Not only that but they were playing with SoCal legends the Descendents and Queensland, Australia’s own The Chats.  I first saw Social D in high school circa 1992.  Special thanks to Scott Levy who turned me onto the kings of Orange County.  I also caught lead singer/guitarist Mike Ness doing a solo set at the House of Blues in Orlando, Florida.  With all that, this was my 8th Social D aligned show, the second time seeing The Chats and oddly enough my very first time catching the Descendents. I was in my place with my people for sure. The show built me right back up again and the heavy punk overtones made my grinchy heart grow three sizes (that also might be a medical condition I need to get looked at). 

The point of all of this is to say that music, to quote Social Distortion, is “the story of my life”. These tones flow through my veins and drive my life force.  Music is connection and mental health and everything that is important to me. It coexists with my friends and my family and those songs will forever be a part of my ethos.  Having my mom visit at the time where a nation was mourning seems apropos.  Our grief was turned into a celebration of life. Dolly’s life and our very own.  Do yourself a favor and listen to the music that follows you everywhere.  The universe will tell you what you need to know if you just listen.