Dolly Parton, who championed education throughout her life, had a message for teachers at the CMA Foundation Music Teachers of Excellence event on Wednesday.
Musician Zac Brown shared the video and said that the country music icon recorded the “special
message for the teachers in this room” and “took the time to speak directly to you.”
“When I think about legacy, I think about what we create, but even more than that, I think about what we give away,” said Brown from the stage. “This is how our life continues to reach people long after a moment has passed. Few people understand that better than Dolly Parton.”
Alongside Parton’s thousands of remarkable songs, the singer’s extraordinary life and career reached beyond music. “She gave people hope,” continued Brown. “She believed in children and she used everything she built to create opportunities for others.”
Following his speech, the video of Parton played and the beloved icon appeared on screen, as brilliant as ever. “I’ve always believed that music brings people together. But none of that happens without dedicated teachers who encourage, inspire and believe in the next generation and that’s why we’re celebrating tonight,” Parton said with a wide smile. “To every music teacher of excellence, I want to thank you for your passion, patience, and care that you give your students each day. Congratulations on this incredible milestone and keep making beautiful music together.”
Parton died on Aug. 25 following a brief battle with cancer. She launched her own charitable organization, the Dollywood Foundation, in 1988, and used her fame and fortune to support causes that included financial relief to forest fire victims in 2017, donating money for Covid-19 vaccine funding, and, most famously, founding the Imagination Library, which distributes books to children in multiple countries.
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