Little Big Town’s Kimberly Schlapman will always cherish the special memory of her daughter meeting Dolly Parton.
Following Parton’s passing on August 25, hundreds of thousands of tributes have poured in from fans, friends, and fellow musicians remembering the lasting impact she had on the world. Along with those tributes, many people have also shared their personal stories and memories of meeting the country music legend.
Little Big Town recently appeared on TODAY, where Schlapman recalled the heartwarming moment she got to introduce her daughter to Parton. The meeting was even more special because Schlapman and her husband, Stephen, had named their daughter after the legendary singer.
The couple adopted a baby girl in 2017 and named her Dolly Grace. When Parton found out that the little girl had been named after her, she wanted to meet her. She invited the band onto her tour bus so she could finally be introduced to baby Dolly.
“That’s the Dolly and my little Dolly,” Schlapman said while showing a photo of the two. “She invited us up on her bus to meet the other Dolly. She always had the sweetest things to say about my Dolly. She’d always say, ‘How’s my Dolly? How’s my Dolly?’”
As time went on, Schlapman’s daughter even came up with an adorable nickname for her famous namesake.
Bandmate Karen Fairchild joined the conversation and revealed that the young girl would refer to Dolly Parton as “My Parton.”
“She’d say, ‘My Parton,’” Fairchild recalled. “‘That’s my Parton.’”
Schlapman explained that the nickname came from her daughter connecting the name “Dolly” with the word “my.”
The sweet story offers another glimpse into the warm relationship Parton shared with the family and shows just how meaningful the country icon was to people of all generations.
Little Big Town Says They’ll Be At Dollyfest
Earlier this week, Parton’s estate announced that Dollyfest will take place in 2027. The two-day festival will celebrate her life, career, and lasting legacy.
So far, only a few details about the event have been revealed, but we know it will be held across two consecutive weekends in Nashville and London.
Ticket information has yet to be announced, but we already know some familiar faces who plan to attend. Little Big Town says they wouldn’t want to miss the celebration.
“We heard. We’re inviting ourselves,” Fairchild said. “I literally texted her agents yesterday. Dollyfest, we’re there.”