Dolly Parton and her husband Carl Dean had stayed together for 59 years
The 79-year-old wife Parton released this statement: "Carl and I enjoyed many wonderful years together. Words cannot express the love we shared for over 60 years. Thank you for your prayers and sympathy."
Their family has also requested "privacy during this difficult time."
Dolly Parton and Carl Dean didn't have a conventional ... (Source: www.cnn.com)
Dean leaves behind his siblings Sandra and Donnie, and will be buried in a private ceremony with close family.
In a conversation on the Dumb Blonde audio show last year, the then 78-year-old singer remembered: "He said, 'Look, now I want you to do everything you want to do, and I wish you the best, but don't ever ask me to go to another one of these damn things because I ain't going,' and he never did."
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Parton expected her new husband's choice at that time, as he never wanted attention focused on him.
"He enjoys music, but he's not at all interested in being in it," she explained. "And he told me that right from the start."
Their relationship endured over time and the pair even renewed their vows in 2016 at their Nashville residence.
It appears Parton and Dean were total opposites beyond just their views on fame.
"He's quiet and I'm loud, and we're funny... we have a lot of fun," she continued. "Anytime too much tension happens, either one of us can find a joke about it to really break the tension, where we don't let it go too far," she described. "We never fought back and forth."
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Dolly Parton's Husband of 60 Years, Carl Dean, Has Passed ... (Source: axs.tv)
The couple first encountered each other in 1964 outside the Wishy Washy Laundromat in Nashville, Tennessee. Parton was 18 and Dean was 21. Attraction began immediately as Dean drove by in his pickup truck when he noticed Parton outside and 'hollered' at her, she told The New York Times in 1976.
Throughout Parton's remarkable climb to fame, her husband backed her privately while running a road-paving company. They maintained their connection across decades, as Parton shared in 2022 that she still dresses up for her partner at home.
"Every day, I apply some makeup and style my hair because I think, 'Well, everyone out there sees me fully dressed up, and I'm not going to simply go home and look messy for him,'" she explained to E! News.
Dolly Parton's rarely-seen but frequently discussed husband of six decades, Carl Dean, has died, the country music icon revealed Monday through social media. He was 82 years old.
"Carl and I enjoyed many fantastic years together," Parton stated in her Instagram announcement. "No words can fully express the love we shared across 60 years. I appreciate your prayers and sympathy."
An additional statement noted, "He will be buried in a private service with only immediate family present. His siblings Sandra and Donnie survive him... The family requests privacy during this hard time."
Dean has fascinated fans since Parton's career began, as he never joined the superstar at public events and seldom appeared in photos. Parton consistently explained that their mutual agreement about his absence from publicity helped sustain their relationship.
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Carl Dean: Dolly Parton's Husband of Six Decades Was 82 (Source: variety.com)
During an E! interview last spring, Parton explained, "Having someone in your corner who loves you for who you are is essential. There's great comfort knowing someone loves you exactly as you are—because he fell in love with me before I became famous."
The couple married on May 30, 1966, in Ringhold, Georgia, with Parton's mother present, two years after they started dating when she was 18. Even early in their marriage, before she became a country-pop and entertainment sensation, Dean rarely appeared with her.
Their first meeting occurred at a laundromat shortly after her arrival in Nashville. As the story goes, the 6'2" Dean drove by and called to the 5-foot Parton, "You're gonna get sunburnt out here, little lady." Parton later said, "I was happy and surprised that while talking to me, he looked at my face (something uncommon for me). He seemed truly interested in discovering who I was and what I valued."
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"Many people claim Carl Dean doesn't exist, that I invented him to keep others away," she acknowledged in a 1984 Associated Press interview, adding she wished she could convince him to participate in a photo shoot. Though Dean avoided photographs, he does appear in the background of her 1969 album cover "My Blue Ridge Mountain Boy."
What Dolly Parton Said About Carl Dean Marriage Before His Death (Source: www.eonline.com)
In 2015, she told Parade, "I married a truly good man, someone completely different from me... He enjoys hearing about my activities. I enjoy hearing about his activities. We appreciate each other's company."
We get along well," Parton shared. In 2016, celebrating their golden anniversary, Parton's website dedicated a section to the pair (featuring a rare snapshot of them together, with Dean kissing her cheek in what seems to be from the '70s or '80s), noting they had "celebrated 50 years of marital happiness despite confronting many typical marriage challenges and numerous distinctive difficulties of their own."
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The webpage continued, "Dolly and Carl have lived in marital bliss for five decades. They've cherished and backed each other while honoring each other's autonomy... Though one might assume Dolly would be the more entertaining partner, she frequently mentions that Carl's distinctive humor keeps her amused. Considering Dolly's grand perspective on everything, it's perfectly logical that her one true love would be equally exceptional in every aspect."
In a 2012 conversation with Tennessee's TV station WRCB, Parton elaborated on the circumstances of her wedding to Dean. "I encountered him my first day in Nashville, and we courted for two years," she explained about her spouse, who was employed at his father's asphalt company when they met. "At that time, I was collaborating with Fred Foster, owner of Monument Records and Combine Music. He planned to financially support my path to stardom."
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When they became engaged, she revealed Foster "requested I not marry. He said it would create more difficulties if I were married during all this promotion. My mother-in-law had already distributed invitations. It crushed her when I said we needed to cancel the wedding."
Dolly Parton Musical 'Hello, I'm Dolly' Coming to Broadway (Source: www.rollingstone.com)
"But we left the following weekend, slipping away because we wanted to avoid nearby locations, like Bryson City, North Carolina. So we chose Ringgold because we knew you could obtain your license and marry on the same day. They informed us, 'You must marry in the courthouse.' I responded, 'I will not marry in the courthouse. I will marry in the church'."
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"I stated, 'I must have momma present'," she continued. "So I had purchased a small dress, momma had bought me a Bible with flowers on it. We took momma and returned, marrying on a Monday, in a church. We located a pastor, (and although) neither of us were Baptist, my dad's relatives were, so I had attended many Baptist churches. So we married in the Baptist church there... We transported momma back to the bus station in Chattanooga so she could return to Knoxville, ensuring she wouldn't join our so-called honeymoon, which lasted just a few hours, (since) we both needed to return to work the next morning."
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Parton told the station that she and her husband regularly revisited Ringgold, where they exchanged vows, on their May 30 anniversary.
"We attempt to visit there annually if possible," Dolly explains. "We go at least once every three years. We journey there and bring a picnic... Chattanooga is wonderful, we adore Lookout Mountain, we enjoy doing all those activities. When we visit Ringgold, we typically make it a complete weekend excursion."
15 Best Dolly Parton Movies - Movies With Dolly Parton (Source: www.thepioneerwoman.com)
Fans were intrigued by how Parton and her spouse could take driving trips in rural areas without being recognized. But she maintained, "People never realize we're there. We travel in a small RV camper. I stop and don't wear my typical rhinestones. I apply slight makeup for my husband, I usually have my natural hair, just secured with a small scrunchy or similar item. But you wouldn't think twice; you simply don't notice me. However, if you hear my voice and see me up close, you recognize it's me."
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She confirmed this remained true in an E! interview last year, telling the network, "We simply appreciate each other. One thing we like to do—not necessarily a date night; we have numerous date days—we own our small RV and enjoy traveling around. Going somewhere to get food, or I'll prepare a picnic and we go to the river."
A stage musical Parton has composed about her life journey is scheduled for Broadway in 2026, with an initial test run set to debut in Nashville this August. Parton hasn't discussed in detail which aspects of her life the musical will include, so fans have been curious about whether the relationship with Dean will be depicted.
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Parton's website stated that she composed the song "From Here to the Moon and Back" with Dean in mind, highlighting these lyrics: "From here to the moon and back / Who else in this world will love you like that? / Love everlasting, I promise you that / From here to the moon and back."
Kelly Clarkson's Performance Moves Garth Brooks to Tears
Kelly Clarkson transforms any song into a memorable experience. Her rendition of "The Dance," which Garth Brooks calls his "favorite song," left the country star visibly touched.
Throughout his career, Garth Brooks has given many memorable shows. However, at the 2021 Kennedy Center Honors, he watched from the audience as others celebrated him.
The 63-year-old country star was deeply affected as musicians including Kelly Clarkson, James Taylor, Jimmie Allen, and Gladys Knight honored his impressive career.
Actor Bradley Cooper introduced the tribute by saying: "There's country music, rock, gospel, honky-tonk...and then there's Garth Brooks. Garth is a power hitter who swung for the fences and broke down barriers between music genres, expanding country music's reach and changing American culture."
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His Beloved Song
Garth Brooks & Kelly Clarkson sing "Ain't Going Down Til The Sun Comes Up" Live Concert Performance (Source: www.youtube.com)
Clarkson, 42, was first to perform, delivering a powerful version of "The Dance," Brooks' hit 1990 ballad that he has named as his favorite composition.
"There's a song that you look forward to all night, like 'The Dance.' I could play it four or five times a night, and I'd still be OK with it," Brooks stated in a 1994 interview.
"'The Dance' will be the greatest success as a song we will ever do. I'll go to my grave with 'The Dance.' It'll probably always be my favorite song," he said about the ballad that explores love, loss, and life's fleeting beauty.
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A Sign of Respect
When the American Idol winner performed her version on stage, Brooks seemed to cherish the song even more.
Clarkson, known for her strong vocal range and ability to refresh classic songs, gave a performance both personal and powerful. As soon as the Grammy-winner began singing, the crowd grew quiet, drawn in by her heartfelt delivery.
With just piano backing, Clarkson's voice filled the venue with genuine emotion. While she sang each word with feeling, the audience watched in awe – but no one was more affected than Brooks himself.
The country star, seated next to his wife Trisha Yearwood, held the medallion he received that evening and wiped tears from his eyes.
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As Clarkson's voice reached its highest point, Brooks stood up and, in a show of deep appreciation, took off his hat – a traditional gesture of respect in country music – and placed his hand over his mouth, clearly moved by her sincere performance.
High Praise
Garth Brooks Calls Kelly Clarkson 'A Freak Of Nature' (Source: www.youtube.com)
Social media quickly filled with compliments for Clarkson's powerful yet intimate performance.
"Absolutely flawless performance. Garth looks so proud. Kelly you are an amazing artist," wrote one person in the comments of the clip shared by the Kennedy Center Honors on Facebook.
"Fantastic job singing that song. You can see Garth was filled with emotion. [You're] amazing!" comments another viewer.
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A third person notes, "Garth's reaction made me cry," while someone else believes, "I liked Kelly's version much better."
Kelly Clarkson's interpretation of "The Dance" went beyond a simple cover - it created a truly special musical moment.
Roberta Flack, soul and R&B icon behind Killing Me Softly, dies aged 88
Roberta Flack, the acclaimed singer who created memorable hits including "Killing Me Softly With His Song," passed away at 88 years old. Her spokesperson announced: "The magnificent Roberta Flack left us this morning, February 24, 2025. She passed surrounded by her loved ones in peace. She was a groundbreaking artist and dedicated teacher."
Known for her elegant demeanor and musical flexibility, Flack earned recognition as one of the most influential performers in soul and R&B history. She entered the world in 1937 in Black Mountain, North Carolina, born to music-loving parents. Her early exposure to sacred and classical music came through her mother Irene, who played organ for church services.
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Roberta Flack, timeless R&B singer-songwriter, dies at 88 ... (Source: www.latimes.com)
Flack started piano lessons at age nine. She received a full music scholarship to Howard University at 15, becoming one of its youngest students ever. After graduating at 19, she initially wanted to pursue opera but instead became a teacher in North Carolina. She balanced teaching with evening and weekend performances at clubs, mixing classical, blues, folk, Motown, and pop styles.
Her musical skills secured her regular performances across Washington DC. In 1968, her shows at Mr Henry's Restaurant allowed her to focus solely on music. Les McCann, a soul jazz musician, connected her with Atlantic Records. She recorded her first album, "First Take," in just 10 hours during early 1969. The album captured her diverse musical selections from her time performing at Henry's.
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McCann described her impact: "Her singing reached every emotion I knew. I experienced joy, tears, and wanted more." Her breakthrough came in 1971 when Clint Eastwood's "Play Misty for Me" featured her version of "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face." The song topped US charts for six weeks in 1972 and won a Grammy for Record of the Year in 1973.
Roberta Flack Ready to Sing Again at Jazz Foundation of ... (Source: www.billboard.com)
She achieved another Grammy for "Killing Me Softly With His Song" in 1974, making history as the first artist with back-to-back wins in this category, later matched by U2 and Billie Eilish. Her song "Feel Like Makin' Love" also reached number one that year. Her partnership with Donny Hathaway produced two top-five hits: "Where Is the Love" and "The Closer I Get to You."
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In 1980, Flack and Hathaway achieved success in the UK with "Back Together Again," reaching number three on the charts a year after Hathaway's passing. She later partnered with Peabo Bryson, scoring her biggest UK achievement with "Tonight, I Celebrate My Love," which peaked at number two in 1983.
Her diverse musical connections showed her unique artistic approach. She performed duets with Michael Jackson, joined Miles Davis on tour, and interpreted songs by Leonard Cohen and Laura Nyro. Her success helped establish quiet storm, a sophisticated R&B style that later influenced artists like Erykah Badu, D'Angelo, and the Fugees, who created their own popular version of "Killing Me Softly."
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Roberta Flack: albums, songs, playlists | Deezer (Source: www.deezer.com)
In 2012, she released "Let It Be Roberta," an album of Beatles song interpretations. She defined her artistic identity, saying: "I consider myself a soulful singer who uses all my emotional capacity when performing. A truly soulful person can take any song, move past technical aspects, and capture listeners' attention."
Health issues emerged in 2018 when she became ill during a performance. Her manager later disclosed that she had experienced a stroke years before. Her personal life included a marriage to jazz musician Steve Novosel from 1966 to 1972.
