News - Dolly Parton & Elvis Presley: A Spiritual Kinship Beyond Fame

Dolly Parton always sensed a profound connection with Elvis Presley, whom she described as 'kin,' despite never meeting him. In a 1978 Playboy Magazine interview, Parton explained that this connection stemmed from their shared backgrounds and religious faith. Though they never crossed paths in person, Parton felt an inexplicable bond with the King of Rock and Roll. She often avoided opportunities to meet him, feeling a deeper kinship in spirit. 'I always felt we were relatives in soul. He was loving, emotional, and humble,' she reflected, recognizing in him a similar awe and gratitude towards success. Part and parcel to their connection was a mutual dedication to their faith. Both Parton and Presley were devout Christians who believed in using their talents to serve greater purposes. Parton recounted how a church elder once told her she was 'anointed.' She misunderstood initially, thinking of it as a physical act, but her mother clarified, saying it meant she was chosen by God for something special. Elvis shared this deep spiritual reliance, turning to God for strength, as revealed by his stepbrother, Billy Stanley. Elvis also expressed gratitude for his gifts and sought divine guidance through prayer and Bible study. Although Parton's rise to stardom in the late '60s and early '70s did not align with moments to meet Elvis personally, their spiritual journeys paralleled. Both released heartfelt songs like 'How Great Thou Art,' celebrating their faith—Elvis with his Grammy-winning rendition in 1967, and Parton on her 1971 album, 'Golden Streets of Glory.' In essence, their kinship was more than any one meeting; it was a bond rooted in shared values and a calling to uplift through music, leaving a legacy of faith-infused artistry.