Married for nearly 60 years, Dolly Parton lost her husband, Carl Thomas Dean, just a few months ago in March. Since that moment, the country icon decided to push forward with her career, constantly staying busy. Although putting her focus on her career as she mourned the death of her husband, Dolly explained how she was putting writing new music on hold due to not having the “luxury” of getting emotional.
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Appearing on the Khloe in Wonder Land podcast, Dolly shared some insight about her life with Khloe Kardashian. When the host asked the singer if she ever suffered from writer’s block, Dolly pointed to how busy she was with other ventures. “[There are] several things I have wanted to start, but I can’t do it.” She continued, “I will later. I’m just coming up with such wonderful beautiful ideas, but I think I won’t finish it. I can’t do it right now, because I got so many other things.”
While busy, Dolly added that she tried to stay working to keep her mind away from her husband’s passing. “I can’t afford the luxury of, you know, getting that emotional right now. There are times like that, things like that, that will stall you a little bit. But I’ll write something else though, if it comes. I’m just putting that all on hold.”
[RELATED: Dolly Parton Turned This REO Speedwagon Power Ballad to Bluegrass in the Late 1980s]
Dolly Parton Honors Late Husband With “If You Hadn’t Been There”
Although Dolly explained how she was putting new music on hold, she did pay tribute to her husband when she released the emotional tribute with “If You Hadn’t Been There.” Showing how much Carl supported her career in country music throughout the decades, she produced the emotional song that had the singer pouring her heart out with each verse.
Online, fans commented on the power of the song, writing, “Dolly is one of the only people to make it through an entire career without a hint of a scandal. She and her husband were truly in love; that’s something we should all hope to have someday. Bless her heart.” Another person insisted, “That is about the sweetest ‘goodbye’ I’ve ever heard. Rest in Peace, Carl.”
With Dolly deciding to take a break, the country music legend will surely return to the studio. And although it might take some time, when she does – it’s sure to be something special.
(Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images)
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