Loved this essay! In the first list of potential successors, I thought, "What about Kacey?!" but kept reading. Kacey does not feel as...mysterious, I guess, as Dolly does because she is removed from the core country radio audience and appeals to the political sensibilities of pop audiences in ways others have not until they are legacy acts (appearing on Drag Race, for example). The talk of an "heir" brought up a challenge for Dolly stans similar to those of her class politics: does Dolly not have an industry daughter in part because, despite her cultivated benevolent image, she does not envision developing opportunities with/for marginalized folks as a necessary or lucrative part of her legacy? Clearly she can create whatever legacy suits her, but the absence may be telling. Also, Dr. McMillan Cottom, I know you said you are avoiding this (and I am avoiding work by rambling here), but I am pumped to read your thoughts on post-COVID higher ed. Looking forward to the live event!
I procrastinated my inbox and missed the chance to sign up for the live event (which I'm sure will be great!), but it also means I didn't read this piece until after the debut of lil nas x's latest video, so he was on my mind when thinking about unconventional heirs to dolly. I'm not familiar with his deep catalog, but this convo leaves me hoping he does keep up the genre blending
I am just now realizing that Dolly’s very specific whiteness not only holds her place in/amplifies her influence in culture the way it does *today* but will continue to do so well into the future. Probably well down into the future. I’m pretty sure it’s making me feel things about time and whiteness that I can’t quite articulate right now.
Low-key excited about your take on higher ed reforms in the context of covid because I'm fascinated by higher ed's downward spiral, but also would rather read about your athletic prowess as a fellow flat-foot.
Loved this essay! In the first list of potential successors, I thought, "What about Kacey?!" but kept reading. Kacey does not feel as...mysterious, I guess, as Dolly does because she is removed from the core country radio audience and appeals to the political sensibilities of pop audiences in ways others have not until they are legacy acts (appearing on Drag Race, for example). The talk of an "heir" brought up a challenge for Dolly stans similar to those of her class politics: does Dolly not have an industry daughter in part because, despite her cultivated benevolent image, she does not envision developing opportunities with/for marginalized folks as a necessary or lucrative part of her legacy? Clearly she can create whatever legacy suits her, but the absence may be telling. Also, Dr. McMillan Cottom, I know you said you are avoiding this (and I am avoiding work by rambling here), but I am pumped to read your thoughts on post-COVID higher ed. Looking forward to the live event!
I procrastinated my inbox and missed the chance to sign up for the live event (which I'm sure will be great!), but it also means I didn't read this piece until after the debut of lil nas x's latest video, so he was on my mind when thinking about unconventional heirs to dolly. I'm not familiar with his deep catalog, but this convo leaves me hoping he does keep up the genre blending
I am just now realizing that Dolly’s very specific whiteness not only holds her place in/amplifies her influence in culture the way it does *today* but will continue to do so well into the future. Probably well down into the future. I’m pretty sure it’s making me feel things about time and whiteness that I can’t quite articulate right now.
I'm stuck on "Reba doesn't write" because my mother thought Fancy was a parenting manual.
Low-key excited about your take on higher ed reforms in the context of covid because I'm fascinated by higher ed's downward spiral, but also would rather read about your athletic prowess as a fellow flat-foot.
Kacey's fashion exhibit at the CMHoF showed off her range for the camp aesthetic nicely, too.