DOLLY PARTON | 1946-2026
Remembering Dolly Parton鈥檚 New Mexico performances
She performed at least three times in the Land of Enchantment and had to cancel a planned visit last year
Legendary entertainer Dolly Parton, who died at age 80, didn鈥檛 perform in New Mexico often, but she left fans enchanted when she did.
鈥淩egardless of any preconceived notions concerning country music, bleached wigs, rhinestone pantsuits, it is impossible to dislike Dolly Parton,鈥� writes Charlie Bermant, an 近距离内射合集 freelancer who reviewed a performance by Parton and Willie Nelson at Albuquerque鈥檚 Civic Auditorium on Jan. 29, 1977.
According to Journal archives, that was Parton鈥檚 first concert in New Mexico. She would return to the Land of Enchantment two more times 鈥� a Jan. 26, 1985, show with Kenny Rogers at The Pit and a July 20, 2011, headlining performance at Sandia Resort and Casino.
Parton had been scheduled to visit The Lensic Performing Arts Center in Santa Fe on Aug. 28, 2025, to celebrate New Mexico becoming the 22nd state to offer her Imagination Library program statewide.
However, Parton had to miss the event.
鈥淚 am so sorry that I can鈥檛 be there in person for our big Imagination Library celebration in New Mexico,鈥� she said in a . 鈥淏ut I鈥檝e come down with an inner ear infection, and the doctor says it鈥檚 not safe for me to fly right now.鈥�
鈥楧olly Parton, Willie Nelson Warm Crowd鈥�
Bermant鈥檚 review of the Parton-Nelson show in Albuquerque was headlined 鈥淒olly Parton, Willie Nelson Warm Crowd鈥� and was accompanied by photos of each performer. The review, published in the Feb. 2, 1977, Journal, is below.
Country music notables Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson teamed to please a large crowd of fans and friends alike Saturday at Albuquerque鈥檚 Civic Auditorium.
At first glance, the Parton/Nelson teaming seems incongruous: Miss Parton is part of the Nashville establishment, the typical bleached-blonde country queen, while Nelson leads the Austin-based 鈥淥utlaw鈥� faction. But the two artists complemented each other, even treating the audience to duet versions of 鈥淎mazing Grace鈥� and 鈥淲ill the Circle Be Unbroken.鈥�
Over the past few years, country music has been assimilated into other forms of music and it was apparent from this show that country is now doing some assimilating of its own. Dolly Parton began her upbeat show with the soul classic 鈥淗igher and Higher,鈥� leading directly into 鈥淪ilver Threads and Golden Needles,鈥� which has become a country-rock standard.
Regardless of any preconceived notions concerning country music, bleached wigs, or rhinestone pantsuits, it is impossible to dislike Dolly Parton. Her clear voice has the plaintive quality exclusive to country music and her lively personality immediately puts any audience at ease. She often lets loose with a delightful, little girl laugh (at the most inappropriate times).
Even though her physical appearance smacks of artificiality, she gives the impression of being very real and warm. Her newer music will undoubtedly gain her wider appeal, but she seems to have reached that point as a result of natural progression rather than commercial compromise. Her new album, which she previewed, promises to be a winner.
Willie Nelson鈥檚 subdued stage presence was pale in comparison to Dolly, but he was no less skilled in giving the audience what they came for. Nelson was once a key member of the Nashville music establishment until he left and essentially 鈥渓et his hair down.鈥� Now, Nelson appears in jeans, plaids and blue track shoes.
His set consisted of well-paced songs with almost no break in between 鈥� and was liberally spiced with humor. He did a tongue-in-cheek medley of 鈥淯p Against the Wall, Redneck Mother鈥� and 鈥淥kie From Muskogee.鈥� 鈥淩ed Headed Stranger鈥� told the tale of a man who shot a beautiful woman who was trying to steal his horse (an entirely 鈥渏ustifiable鈥� killing).
Nelson had an adept band that featured his sister, Bobbie, on keyboards 鈥� but he did his own lead playing on an ancient Martin guitar. He treated the audience to a six-song encore 鈥� and then signed autographs and traded gifts with fans until the auditorium's curfew had to be enforced.
Miss Parton and Nelson are seasoned performers who live on stage, and in Albuquerque they happily welcomed a large crowd into their home. As Dolly Parton said in a candid moment, 鈥淵ou are like family.鈥�
