Tanya Tucker Recalls The Important Advice Dolly Parton Gave Her In Their Last Conversation
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Tanya Tucker will never forget the last conversation she had with Dolly Parton.
Tucker and Parton have known each other for decades. As two country music superstars, they had run in the same circles and even collaborated on their 1993 hit song “Romeo.”
However, in an interview with PEOPLE, Tucker admitted that she wishes she had spent more time with the “9 to 5” singer when she had the chance.
“I can’t get my head wrapped around it. I just can’t imagine her lying in the ground. It’s overwhelming, really,” Tucker said. “Only thing it made me feel, and I guess people would feel this way, is I didn’t take the chances that I could have had to really be around her more.”
She added that after Parton’s death, she found herself reminiscing and looking back at photos. Unfortunately, she could “hardly find any of us together.”
“I regret that I didn’t take some opportunities that I could have taken to get to know her better — having dinner together, sleepovers,” she added.
The one thing Tucker will always cherish, though, is the valuable advice Parton once gave her.
The last time the two country stars performed together was in 2019, when they were both part of the iconic all-female opening number at the 53rd Annual CMA Awards.
Tucker remembers she wasn’t feeling well during rehearsals. But in true Dolly Parton fashion, she encouraged Tucker to keep pushing through.
“And she goes, “You got to make hay while the sun shines.” I said, “I know that’s right.” So that was the last thing I think she said to me.”
For any fan of Parton’s, it’s no secret that she lived by the phrase, “the show must go on.” She never retired and continued working behind the scenes, even while privately battling cancer.
In fact, she had decades worth of active projects at the time of her passing. Her team plans to continue those projects to keep her legacy alive.
See The Projects That Dolly Parton’s Team Is Working On
Fans can expect Parton’s avatar show to move forward. A musical documentary, a biopic, a docuseries, a scripted series, and a Billy the Kid animated series are also in the works.
Other projects that will be released include:
- Dolly’s Tennessean Travel Stops (celebrating National Truck Driver Appreciation Week beginning September 13, 2026)
- Dolly Parton’s SongTeller Hotel (stays begin September 14, 2026; grand opening September 29, 2026)
- Dolly Dolls (launching online September 15, 2026)
- Dolly’s Life Of Many Colors Museum (grand opening September 29, 2026)
- Dolly’s Cup Of Ambition Coffee (launching online September 29, 2026; retail launch Spring 2027)
- Dolly On The Holly (Coming Holiday 2026)
- Kendra Scott x Dolly – The 9 to 5 Collection (launching January 2027)
- Dolly’s Dog Treats (Coming Early 2027)
- Dolly Bedding & Home Decor (Coming Q3 2027)
Parton’s Broadway musical will also continue as planned. Preview performances begin on December 7, and opening night is January 19, 2027.
