Former Fox News managing editor Bill Sammon detailed in a retrospective account his role in encouraging journalist Chris Wallace to interview singer-songwriter Dolly Parton. The interview, which was broadcast on Fox News Sunday, occurred in February 2018 at the Library of Congress. According to Sammon, Wallace had initially questioned whether the entertainer was an appropriate subject for a program typically focused on hard-hitting policy and politics.
Sammon stated that he encouraged the interview by highlighting Parton's seven-decade career and her prolific songwriting. He noted that Parton wrote two of her most recognized songs, "Jolene" and "I Will Always Love You," during a single creative period. Sammon also cited other works such as "Coat of Many Colors," "To Daddy," and "Light of a Clear Blue Morning" as evidence of her contributions to American music.
The interview coincided with Parton presenting her children’s book, "Coat of Many Colors," to the Library of Congress. The book was based on her 1971 song of the same title, which describes her mother sewing a coat from rags during Parton’s upbringing in rural Tennessee. During the meeting, Sammon reported that Parton remained standing for a photograph due to the height difference between her and the 6'7" editor, and she concluded the television interview with an a cappella performance.
The 2018 interview served as a record of Parton’s personal history and her "rags to riches" narrative, which she frequently used to promote her literacy initiatives. For the federal workers and historians at the Library of Congress, the event marked the formal addition of her literary work to the national collection. The interview also represented a rare departure from the standard political format of Fox News Sunday, setting a precedent for the program to cover cultural figures alongside government officials.
Parton's death has prompted national recognition, including an order from the President for U.S. flags to be flown at half-staff for one week. While the specific impact on future music licensing or the management of her theme park was not detailed in the source, the ongoing operation of the Imagination Library remains the primary active policy of her estate. Next steps for the organization include maintaining the registration process for new households to receive free books, as confirmed in statements following her passing.