Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Retired Buffalo News music critic Dale Anderson remembers attending a private party where Dolly Parton was the guest of honor.
And Susan Stimson, longtime Artpark production manager, recalled walking Parton to the stage before her 2016 performance in Lewiston - that also happened to be the last time the late singer performed in this region.
Both have the same recollection in that Parton was as friendly and warm and welcoming as her public persona.
Parton, 80, died Aug. 25.
"What you saw is what you got with Dolly," Stimson said. "She was that authentic."
Anderson said he was invited, in the early 1980s, to a private party in Amherst where Parton was the honored guest.
Literally everyone went up to her and asked for a photo or autograph and Parton never said no, Anderson said.
"She was very welcoming," Anderson said. "She was very sweet and very warm. She was exactly as you'd expect to see her."
Parton, who had been singing since she was 10 rose to fame in the 1960s - first as a songwriter and later as a performer.
During her lifetime, Parton released 50 studio albums and countless live releases. The list of who Parton recorded with ran the musical gamut from Porter Waggonner to Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris.
"Dolly started out as a country singer but she went way beyond that," Anderson said. "Her music is totally accessible."
On screen, Parton is best known for co-starring with Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin in the comedy "9-to-5".
Music insider and Artpark manager talk about working with Dolly Parton
Music insider and Artpark manager talk about working with Dolly Parton
