Best of SXSW 2022: Dolly Parton’s First-Ever Appearance at SXSW

Walking into The Moody Theater in downtown Austin in the thick of SXSW 2022, anyone could sense the excitement on the streets in anticipation of Dolly Parton taking the stage for her first-ever SXSW appearance. Having announced that she would be performing just two weeks prior to SXSW 2022, it didn’t take very long for fans and SXSW attendees alike to line up on the streets hours beforehand to make sure they could get into the venue for not only her performance, but for her panel conversation with author James Patterson, moderated by actress, singer, and producer Connie Britton.

Walking into the event, venue staff and SXSW volunteers happily greeted attendees, making the experience that much more welcoming and exciting for guests. The Moody Theater — quickly filling up an hour before the panel— served as the perfect space for Parton and Patterson to talk about their latest novel, “Run Rose Run,” which had only hit bookshelves the week prior. Before the event officially began, acts such as Kovic, Callie Twisselman, and The Brothers Moore hit the stage to kick things off, serving as a great start for a sure to be unforgettable evening.

Shortly afterwards, Connie Britton took the stage and helped give a warm welcome to both Parton and Patterson. It didn’t take very long for Dolly Parton to give a few charming quips, joking alongside Patterson and diving into the details of “Run Rose Run.” The duo talked about how their collaboration came to be, what they learned from each other while writing the novel, and how much they have truly enjoyed each other’s partnership on the project. In addition, Parton also discussed the release of her companion album to the novel — which, as a legendary country music icon, is a very fitting concept.

The excitement around “Run Rose Run” did not end there. During the panel, Parton and Patterson also announced that the novel will be adapted into a film, which Oscar-winning actress Reese Witherspoon and her company, Hello Sunshine, will be producing. In addition, Parton will also be starring in the film as a supporting character that most certainly fits the bill for the country legend.

After an incredibly exciting panel, it was time for Dolly Parton’s much-anticipated performance, which can only be described as a once in a lifetime show. I had been fortunate enough to witness Parton’s 2019 Grand Ole Opry performance in celebration of her 50th Opry Anniversary, but seeing Parton capture the attention of a completely filled Moody Theater on a Friday night in the middle of Austin, Texas was unbelievable. Walking out in a red, rose-themed outfit with fringe and rhinestones, Parton covered hits such as “9 to 5” and “Jolene.” Throughout her performance, it was difficult to find a single audience member who wasn’t singing along to her iconic hits. She also featured two songs off of the new “Run Rose Run” record, which kept the performance lively and special for the audience, even though the record had only been released a week prior to the show— a testament to Parton’s incredible talent and commitment to being a world-class entertainer.

During Parton’s set, it was impossible to not be overcome with emotion as she sang other fan favorites, such as “Coat of Many Colors” and “I Will Always Love You.” Parton also graced concert-goers with stories from her childhood and upbringing, sharing laughs and making the audience feel as if they were having a personal conversation with the undeniable Queen of Country.

After a two year hiatus of an in-person SXSW experience in Austin, hosting Dolly Parton for SXSW 2022 certainly served as an iconic mark and warm welcome back for attendees. Parton’s performance, without question, will serve as one of the biggest highlights of the festival’s history. I’m just thrilled I got to witness it.