Dolly Parton Keeps It Pure & Simple at Jack’s

Michael Gabbard Photography

The flawless Country legend, Dolly Parton burst onto the stage at Jack’s Cincinnati Casino on Saturday night in a blaze of gold and rhinestones. The sold out crowd was more than ready to bask in her greatness. Besides a few glitches (the line to get in went fast, but circled around the block and those not fortunate enough to have close seats only were able to see the top of Dolly’s head when on their tippy toes), the show went off without a hitch. 

Dolly Parton

Dolly Parton is a consummate professional and has a natural gift of storytelling. She made the audience feel like old friends, telling tales of her mother, father, and growing up in the Smokey Mountains with her eleven siblings. She also talked about her recent 50-year anniversary with her husband, “The secret to my good marriage is that I was gone 45 of those years,” Dolly joked.

Dolly Parton’s tour is called “Pure & Simple” which coincides with the name of her album coming out in August. She debuted a handful of the songs off the new album for the Cincinnati crowd. Dolly stated that she hopes that these songs will be around for years to come.

Dolly Parton

Towards the middle of the concert, she broke out into a protest medley of folk songs, “You know, I have been thinking about running for President…we need some more boobs in office, right?” The crowd roared.

During “Little Sparrow” fireworks could be heard in the background from a Reds win at The Great American Ballpark. After the song, Dolly joked that she thought perhaps there was a drive by shooting nearby and hopefully the sparrow’s wings would take her to safety.

Towards the end of the show, Dolly delighted with her megahits, “Islands in the Stream” and “9 to 5.” She acted as if she was going to call it a night but quickly came back for her first encore, “I Will Always Love You.” She professed her love for the legend Whitney Houston and proclaimed, “Needless to say, I will always love Whitney Houston. She can take credit for the song, I just want the cash!”

Dolly Parton

Dolly Parton is a treasure. Her stories, Dolly-isms, “Be proud of yourself and where you came from,” and self-deprecation, “I’ve always thought my heart was good, it’s the only real thing on me” truly make up the legend that she is.

Check out pics from the show HERE!

Setlist:
Train, Train 


Why'd You Come in Here Lookin' Like That 

 

Jolene 


Pure and Simple 


Precious Memories 

My Tennessee Mountain Home 


Coat of Many Colors 

 

Smoky Mountain Memories 

 

Applejack 

 

Rocky Top 


Banks of the Ohio 

American Pie/If I Had a Hammer/Blowing in the Wind/Dust in the Wind/The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down 


The Seeker 


I'll Fly Away 


Baby, I'm Burning 


Standing Outside Your Door 

The Grass Is Blue 

 

Those Memories 


Do I Ever Cross Your Mind 

        
Little Sparrow 

 

Two Doors Down 

 

Islands in the Stream
9 to 5 



Encore:
I Will Always Love You 

 


Encore 2:
Hello God

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