Dolly Parton is back on tour and selling out venues with pure artistry and simple elegance . Dolly took the stage at the Jack Casino (formerly Horseshoe Casino) in Cincinnati, OH with a “Hello Dolly” introduction from the band. The sold out crowd instantly jumped to their feet with a standing ovation for this living legend. Dolly was backed by her incredible long time band members Tom Rutledge (bass), Richard Dennison (piano), and Kent Wells (guitar, record producer and band leader).

Dolly remained true to the title of her tour, choosing not to utilize fancy theatrics.  The stage was set  with backdrop curtains and subtle lighting which made Dolly sparkle. Her stage presence spoke for itself and  she could have stood there humming the entire show and the captivated crowd would have still been enchanted. The music was not overbearing and Dolly’s vocals were flawless throughout the two and a half hour show.

The setlist for the evening included a wide variety of Dolly’s biggest hits, songs from the Trio projects and new music from her forthcoming Pure and Simple album. Her upcoming album will also include a second disc titled Dolly’s Biggest Hits. Dolly performed hits such as Jolene, Why’d You Come in Here Lookin’ Like That, 2 Doors Down, Here You Come Again and many more. Whether it be one of her classics or a song that the crowd was unfamiliar with, Dolly received warm applause  after every number. Dolly surprised the crowd with gospel classics including ‘Precious Memories’ and and an upbeat performance of ‘I’ll Fly Away’.

What stood out to me the most in Dolly’s live stage show was her versatility as an instrumentalist . Dolly showcased her multi-talented facets by playing a variety of instruments that night. Acoustic guitar, electric guitar, washboard, penny whistle, fiddle, banjo, piano and even the tenor sax were among Dolly’s chosen instruments. Without a doubt, Dolly Parton’s live show will have you covered in goosebumps while your ears are begging for more of her angelic vocals and infectious laughter. Dolly shared many laughs with the crowd through her story telling and jokes. Dolly has worn many hats throughout her career as she has had success with many of her endeavors such as charitable organizations like the Imagination Library, a world renowned theme park in DollyWood, and many successful movies.

Be sure to stay connected with Dolly Parton and be on the lookout for her upcoming release Pure and Simple with Dolly’s Biggest Hits as well as the latest Trio boxset featuring Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt titled The Complete Trio Collection due out on September 9th. Visit DollyParton.com

Check out our Dolly Parton Pure and Simple photo gallery provided courtesy of: JEvansPhotos

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