Dolly Parton was more than a country music legend. She was a songwriter, storyteller, philanthropist and cultural force whose work helped people feel seen. From timeless songs like "Coat of Many Colors," "Jolene" and "I Will Always Love You" to her commitment to childhood literacy and disaster relief, her influence reached far beyond entertainment. USA TODAY National Music Reporter Melissa Ruggieri joins The Excerpt to reflect on the legacy of Dolly Parton.

Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to podcasts@usatoday.com. 

Episode transcript available here. 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.