Dolly Parton's America is a 2019 podcast hosted by Jad Abumrad and reported and produced by Shima Oliaee at WNYC Studios. It is a nine-part non-fiction series based on Dolly Parton's career and enduring legacy.[1] The series begins with how Abumrad learned that his father, Naji Abumrad, a doctor, had befriended Parton after she survived a minor traffic accident. Abumrad sought out an introduction to Parton in an effort to understand how she remains one of the most popular and well respected musicians in America.[2] Each episode covers a different aspect of Parton's career, from her early life, to her unique approach to politics, her most famous songs and creation of the Dollywood theme park.[3] The name of the podcast was based on a history class at the University of Tennessee - Knoxville also titled Dolly Parton’s America taught by Dr. Lynn Sacco.[4]
Reception
Dolly Parton's America received largely positive responses from most mainstream media, including NPR,[5]The Guardian,[6]Vulture[7] and others. The New York Times called it "a genial, compulsively listenable crash course in Parton's lasting appeal."[8] The podcast won a Peabody Award in the Podcast/Radio category.[9]
