I first fell in love with "Dear Dolly" when I heard it on Natalie Stovall and The Drive's wonderful Heartbreak EP. Come to find out, Natalie wrote this song with Ruthie Collins and Jessica Roadcap. "Dear Dolly" is an open letter to, you guessed it, Dolly Parton. Because if you were able to get advice from Dolly Parton, well, why wouldn't you want to? If ever there's a woman who has seen everything there is to see in the music business, it's Dolly Parton. How could you not look up to her? Even people who aren't in the music business could learn quite a few things from her. I love this song just as much as I did the first time I heard it. If not more.
Ruthie released "Dear Dolly" as a single back in July, but I somehow didn't come across this video until pretty recently. Making me wonder where on Earth I've been. It's always interesting to hear different versions of songs. Having heard Natalie's version first, I'm happy to say that I like Ruthie's version just as much. Ruthie's voice actually reminds me a bit of Dolly's; very similar inflection. If you prefer a more traditional country sound, I think you're going to love this girl.
Here's Ruthie Collins with her lovely video for "Dear Dolly".
I love the direction they chose to go with the video. Starting off with shots of Ruthie singing on the street for tips before taking refuge in an opera house, complete with signs advertising a Dolly Parton concert. This leads to Ruthie venturing out onto the stage to sing her song to an empty house. Which then naturally morphs into a dream of singing to a packed house in that beautiful dress. Then the final shot of Ruthie at the end, all alone. Another case of a video being the perfect showcase for a song. How I love when that happens.
There's been a lot of discussion over the past few years about why more women don't get played on country radio. Rightfully so. I think "Dear Dolly" is the perfect anthem, if you want to call it that, for all the female artists who struggle to get their voices heard. Now in saying that I also acknowledge that it's hard for anyone to make it in this industry; I don't want to come across like it's easy for male artists because it's not. But the reality is that not enough women get played on country radio. It's a shame because there's so many wonderful female artists out there coming out with wonderful songs like this one.
What can we do about this? First things first, if you like an artist, you need to buy their music. Or stream it, though buying is better in my opinion. Go see their live shows, if you can get to one. Buy their merchandise. Some of you reading this are probably thinking that you don't have the money to go to shows or buy music or merchandise. Or maybe the artists you like just aren't playing any shows that you can get to. That struggle is a very real one. I feel you. The good news? There's other ways to support the artists you care about. Never underestimate the power of just talking about the artists you like. Social media has made that easier than ever before. If you like a song, tell someone. Like a video? Share it on your timeline(s). You have no idea how many fans you could create. Let me tell you, there is something magical about introducing an artist you love to someone and having that someone come to love them too.
I think it's time to accept that change is more than likely not going to come from the radio. I think it has to come from us. So please, support the acts you love. The ones who, as the song says, will keep singing their heart out. Because that's what Dolly would do. What Dolly did do. Promote the artists you care about because their voices deserve to be heard.
If you liked "Dear Dolly" and want to keep up with Ruthie Collins, I'm here to help:
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
YouTube
Ruthie released "Dear Dolly" as a single back in July, but I somehow didn't come across this video until pretty recently. Making me wonder where on Earth I've been. It's always interesting to hear different versions of songs. Having heard Natalie's version first, I'm happy to say that I like Ruthie's version just as much. Ruthie's voice actually reminds me a bit of Dolly's; very similar inflection. If you prefer a more traditional country sound, I think you're going to love this girl.
Here's Ruthie Collins with her lovely video for "Dear Dolly".
I love the direction they chose to go with the video. Starting off with shots of Ruthie singing on the street for tips before taking refuge in an opera house, complete with signs advertising a Dolly Parton concert. This leads to Ruthie venturing out onto the stage to sing her song to an empty house. Which then naturally morphs into a dream of singing to a packed house in that beautiful dress. Then the final shot of Ruthie at the end, all alone. Another case of a video being the perfect showcase for a song. How I love when that happens.
There's been a lot of discussion over the past few years about why more women don't get played on country radio. Rightfully so. I think "Dear Dolly" is the perfect anthem, if you want to call it that, for all the female artists who struggle to get their voices heard. Now in saying that I also acknowledge that it's hard for anyone to make it in this industry; I don't want to come across like it's easy for male artists because it's not. But the reality is that not enough women get played on country radio. It's a shame because there's so many wonderful female artists out there coming out with wonderful songs like this one.
What can we do about this? First things first, if you like an artist, you need to buy their music. Or stream it, though buying is better in my opinion. Go see their live shows, if you can get to one. Buy their merchandise. Some of you reading this are probably thinking that you don't have the money to go to shows or buy music or merchandise. Or maybe the artists you like just aren't playing any shows that you can get to. That struggle is a very real one. I feel you. The good news? There's other ways to support the artists you care about. Never underestimate the power of just talking about the artists you like. Social media has made that easier than ever before. If you like a song, tell someone. Like a video? Share it on your timeline(s). You have no idea how many fans you could create. Let me tell you, there is something magical about introducing an artist you love to someone and having that someone come to love them too.
I think it's time to accept that change is more than likely not going to come from the radio. I think it has to come from us. So please, support the acts you love. The ones who, as the song says, will keep singing their heart out. Because that's what Dolly would do. What Dolly did do. Promote the artists you care about because their voices deserve to be heard.
If you liked "Dear Dolly" and want to keep up with Ruthie Collins, I'm here to help:
Website
YouTube
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