Inside the September 13, 1967 issue of The Lebanon News was an advertisement for the Russell County Fair’s Variety Show.
According to the ad, among those performing would be the Grand Ole Opry’s Porter Wagoner and Norma Jean. Unbeknownst to the crowd gathering on the fairgrounds, which was in Lebanon at the time, Norma Jean had stepped away from touring following her marriage to Harold Taylor.
When the show started, a 21-year-old blonde from Sevier County, Tennessee stepped onto the stage. It was her first concert as a member of the Porter Wagoner Show and her name was Dolly Parton.
To say the crowd was disappointed would be an understatement. Boos rang out before giving way to the chant of, “We want Norma Jean!”
The reaction was so hostile, Wagoner joined Parton onstage. He put his arm out, calling for calm, and told the audience, “Give this girl a chance. She’s trying to make a place for herself.”
Her performance in Lebanon left her so shaken that Parton reportedly cried all the way back to Nashville. She never performed in Russell County again.
Of course Parton did more than “make a place for herself.” Of course Parton did more than “make a place for herself.” She became a hillbilly equivalent of the Midas touch – everything she touched turned to gold.
Whether it was music, television, movies, amusement parks or business, Dolly Parton succeeded well beyond anyone’s expectations.
She passed away on August 25, 2026, at the age of 80 following a brief battle with cancer.
Nearly 60 years after that awkward experience in Lebanon, members of the Russell County Fair honored Dolly Parton with the following statement:
“We are all so saddened, frankly in disbelief by Dolly Parton’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family, friends, of which she had so many and to all of her millions and millions of fans.
“We believe that Dolly was Appalachian Royalty and her kindness, generosity and grace will not easily be matched!
“Rest in Peace Dolly.”
