“Cash on the Barrelhead” – Dolly Parton
From The Grass is Blue
The following story is true. As in it really happened. Based in fact, without falsehood.
Many years ago, a family member – a second cousin if I have my facts straight – lived in east Tennessee. That’s mountain country – the Great Smokey Mountains – God’s country. This family member used to play a mean guitar and formed a band with another gentlemen, and a blonde haired country gal named Dolly Parton. This was before she was big, and I’m talking about her musical popularity not the size of her… well, you get the picture.
They developed a pretty good local reputation and the two men decided it was time to go to Nashville and acquire a record contract. Through some connections, of which the details I cannot recall, they landed a record deal and signed the contract – all accept Dolly who had stayed back in the mountains, unable to go to Nashville this particular time.
The men, thrilled they had a contract and would soon be on their way to country stardom, rushed back home only to find that Dolly had met one Porter Wagoner and signed a contract with him, leaving the men in the dust.
Dolly, of course, went onto international fame and fortune, with a music and acting career, while my cousin became another working stiff who had almost made it as a musician.
Either because of this story, or due to some malfunction in my musical integrity, I’ve always loved Dolly. Even in her flash, tacky 1980's period, I could say no wrong (her duet with Kenny Rogers on “Islands in a Stream” to this day brings a tear to my eye. However, I was surely, ever so glad when she returned to her roots with the Grass is Blue. Her voice fits perfectly in the bluegrass tradition, and the picking is pure Tennessee beauty.
The detail may be absolutely false in reality, as this story has been passed around my family for years, what is true is that my cousin did, in fact sing with Dolly while they were growing up.. 
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Article comments
1 - Ken Kleiber
Hello- interesting and fun stories/recollections/anecdotes. Regarding the Dolly Parton story ("Cash on the Barrelhead"), if you look at the timeline of Dolly Parton's career, it's noted that Dolly Parton moved to Nashville the day after she graduated from high school, and toiled around Nashville for several years before she was hired to sing on Porter Wagoner's show. So, if the fellas rushed back home to tell Dolly of their own contract signing...they must have gone back via the North Pole...or gone sightseeing on the way...or something! But it is an interesting story nonetheless, and I hope your cousin continued to be a musician. There are some truly talented performers in that part of the country. Thanks! Ken
2 - Mat Brewster
Yes, I've seen some of Dolly's official history and it certainly doesn't match perfectly with my families version. Which is why I kind of poke fun at it in the post.
Many years have passed since the days my family played with Dolly and I'm sure the story has gotten embellished in many ways, but its still a great story to tell.
Thanks for the comment.
3 - Connie Phillips
Mat, I've really been enjoying this feature. Keep it up. The stories you relate to the music are awesome!
4 - Mat Brewster
Thanks very much. Sometimes I think I get a little too personal, and don't talk about the music enough. But then that's how I relate to the music, through my own experiences.
5 - Holly Hughes
That's how we all relate to the music, Mat -- let's not kid ourselves.
I think Willie Nelson's versatility has been seriously underrated. The great thing about Willie as a cover artist is that he actually gets inside the soul of a song and gets to know it, then makes it his own. He never just "Willie-izes" a tune, and never just replicates the original. Generally I discover new things even in a long-familiar song when I hear Willie's take on it.
6 - Mat Brewster
Thanks Holly. I know that's how we relate, but I'm not always sure thats now how critics are supposed to write.
I'm sure you've heard it, but everyone should have a copy of Stardust. Bloody brilliant is that. I love how he is able to take these old songs that have been covered by everybody and still make it fresh and new.
7 - Linda lee
I loved when Willie toured with the Dead, and they played his Fourth of July Picnic. My favorite two bands together! I enjoyed the Stella cover on Songbird, but I would love a Willie/Dead album. Maybe Bobbie and Phil, and those Rhythm Bandits Mickey and Bill could join him in the studio, too. I'd love to hear them do Friend of the Devil, and all the great Robert Hunter tunes.
Nice blog.
8 - El Bicho
"Could a Willie and the Dead collaboration be too much to ask?"
Forget the parking lot scene. I'd want to check out the tour buses.