Read a Dispatch From Dolly Parton’s 1977 Tour

A Dolly Parton concert is a treat, like a hot-fudge sundae after a month of dieting. As the lights come up, the band tears into Jackie Wilson’s old rhythm-and-blues specialty Higher and Higher. Dolly is backstage strutting about, slapping her thighs, her hands, an amplifier, anything. Suddenly, on cue, she leaps onstage and takes Higher and Higher even higher.

Those who have never seen Dolly gasp. That mountain of a teased blond wig and the hot-pink, jeweled jumpsuit are spectacular. Only five feet tall, she totters atop five-inch gold heels. Swinging into All I Can Do, she catches the eyes of the people in the front rows and plays to them, talking, teasing.

Next comes Jolene, which has a haunting Ghost Riders in the Sky flavor. People recognize this song, a big hit for Dolly in 1973. “This is about a woman who tried to steal my man,” Dolly cries out. “She pulled my wig off and almost beat me to death with it. I fought that woman like a wildcat. I had another wig, but I didn’t want another man.” People love it. The flash of Instamatic cameras is almost as blinding as Dolly’s finery. It is not a Nikon crowd.

To change the beat, Dolly heads for a tall stool. Hoisting a leg, she pauses. “You know, these britches weren’t always this tight—only since I got into them.” That draws whoops but she cries out, “Let’s hear it for the britches that held up!” The folks let her hear it.