On Aug. 25, 2026, the day of Dolly Parton’s shocking death at age 80, I was honored to reflect on the country queen’s legacy on New York City’s Fox 5 evening news. I shared my personal memories of interviewing Parton in 2022 and, that same year, seeing her duet with Judas Priest’s Rob Halford at the Rock & Roll Hall Fame induction ceremony, where she proved to her doubting self and everyone else that she was indeed a real rock star.

I also spoke about Dolly’s deceptively un-serious image, her very serious musical talents, and why her kindness and philanthropy just might be her greatest legacy of all… and I reacted in real time when the anchorwoman interviewing me, Natasha Verma, announced the breaking news of Dolly’s cause of death, which gave me David Bowie deja vu.

Thank you, Fox 5, for having me. And thank you, Dolly Parton, for everything.