Dolly Parton Performs Rocky Top for University of Tennessee Graduates

The University of Tennessee awarded entertainment legend Dolly Parton an honorary doctorate of humane and musical letters for her role as a cultural ambassador, philanthropist and lifelong advocate for education. Parton was introduced by Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen, and Parton took the stage and performed "Rocky Top" for the crowd. #ut #utk #utknoxville #knoxville #vols

[@endeavorstitchworks]

I hope sooner or later people realize she is a national treasure

[@SaskiaCornell]

That would be international treasure - I live in Australia and show is very popular here down under. We love Dolly.

[@cambridgeratmom]

They do!!! She is.

[@Moneytalks.29]

I hope they already know!!!

[@philippbehrend5559]

we already do

[@jetjazz05]

She's in the rock'n'roll hall of fame, and considering she did mostly country I think that says a lot about her impact.

[@sarahpalinnextvp]

I saw her sing at a Bluegrass festival once before she became famous. She is a very talented, wonderful person who has helped so many people in Tennessee.

[@terrydebord5105]

She made East Tennessee, Sevier County grow greater than ever and her apperances on Cas Walkr Sunday Morning show and his Cas Walker Supermarket Market's famous. She a Rockstar of Rocky To at U.T and the Volunteers ❤❤

[@aaronbays7436]

Saw Dolly sing this live at my sisters UT graduation ceremony. Man did I get so lost in the damn moment, and Im a total metal head. Listened to all her records, which were really outside my scope, became a huge fan of dolly, just from this one show

[@liberalsarethebiggestcryba6654]

Nothing beats rocky top

[@bonniegordon4641]

She is simply amazing! She helps everyone thru her songs, energy n being the good person she is! Just wanna say THANK U for being U!!!

[@denise53134]

i love rocky top and her voice she sounds like an angel

[@MrOwlluis]

i love her voice shes awesome

[@Ggdivhjkjl]

Great to hear Dolly's story of hard work being told to young adults embarking on a new phase of life.

[@AaronSmith-kr5yf]

I was in the audience at this ceremony, sister graduated from UT on this day. Completely forgot that the most prominent and successful Tennessee politician(gasp a Democrat!!) in the past 30 years gave a speech. All I remember is all of us in the crowd singing with Dolly, we raised the roof on that arena. Also she gave a great speech about all that typical graduation bs, believe in yourself, chase your dream, never forget your roots, etc. Except it I felt what she said came 100% from the heart, she's been there/done that in terms of fame and has given back to the local community more than anybody can imagine.

[@brendarico715]

An Icon ❤who Loves The Lord.Amen❤

[@Elikennedycarter]

Love this school! Go Tennessee! VOLS NATION.

[@brendarico715]

LOVE OLD Fashion music Rocky Top and the Dixie Land Band❤ Go Dolly❤

[@AndySaenz]

“This woman needs no introduction..,”, but then he proceeded to talk about her for over 5 minutes. Right... 🧐🤨

[@guarddog318]

Yeah, that's politicians for ya. * shakes head * Shut the hell up, Phil, and let the lady sing!

[@MrTheChub]

"Doesn't need one" and "Doesn't deserve one" are two different things

[@mhoffman11]

I sped thru the first part of the video. Why waste my time?

[@Superbowler08]

I know right

[@jimjaspers2804]

God bless you Dolly, you're a real woman.

[@davebartels612]

Saw her at the Nebraska State Fair sometime in the 70's. Eddie Rabbit was the opening act. She was great. We are both so much older now!

[@Bmcknight2023]

I can't wait until I go to college! I'm going to UT! Go VOLS!

[@Bedevere]

@hurricane watcher I suspect he did - his last video, 2 years ago, was about how many watermelons it took to stop a bullet. Sounds 100% like a college student to me.

[@chuck4tnvols681]

Dolly,a Tennesee and National treasure! Go Vols!!!!!!!

[@realbeandiesel]

i'm probably a third her age, but boy she seems to have more energy than me. and she sure can sing live. wow.

[@MarylandBear1]

You’re probably not as “top heavy” as she is, either.

[@billparrish4385]

@@MarylandBear1 Once while talking about feminism, Dolly claimed to be the first woman to burn her bra. "It took the fire department four days to put it out," she joked.

[@jebadiahfyefye8994]

This was for sure lip synced.

[@markswaggerty4958]

her way of performing this song is awesome

[@mikeflippo6273]

World class ❤

[@wonderfalls5582]

Dolly ROCKS!!!

[@edom7]

Wow, I would love to go to a commencement like this.

[@tombom21]

I was here for my sister. I wasn't paying attention before she came up and she really caught me by surprise. It was odd at first since it was my first time hearing her, but it was an entertaining experience. She sure has a way with the crowd!

[@AmazingJoeJoe]

Some of us just get better with age ... GO DOLLY!!!

[@mundrubjet]

Madonna should not EVER be mentioned in the same breath as Dolly Parton!! Dolly is an angel sent from Heaven and well...we all know what what the other one is....

[@willshaw6405]

mundrubjet Angels in heaven must surely like massive teats !! I think I'll enjoy partying there !

[@ftargr]

Will Shaw you ain’t going with that philosophy bro.

[@AndySaenz]

mundrubjet Dolly is only human, don’t put her up on a pedestal like that. She’s an extraordinary human, but still a human.

[@lindaf4836]

I love BOTH ladies. Madonna never had fake breasts put on like Dolly did, now they each are getting TOO stretched faces. BOTH are great singer, songwriters, and humanitarians!

[@ednafenton7558]

Love the song, Rocky Top. The only singers who will sing it are the legends of Country Music. Don't think I've ever heard the so called singers of today sing, "Rocky Top" or "Mule Skinners Blues" TOO COUNTRY for them.

[@chm97chm97]

@ 7:20 - 7:25..... Dolly's entrance...."Hello-o--o Governor, thank you ..you can sing too....."... Classic entrance ....all Dolly.

[@linettelovejoy5449]

Tysm! 👏 🎵🎸. I pray peaceful ☮️, healing💚, happy🥳, fun🎉, intuitive 👑, clean 🧽🧼, organized, prosperous, safe & well hydrated blessings to ALL Divine Beings of Love, Peace & Light, Thank U Universe! 🙏🗿🌟🇺🇸🔔🍀🌎♻️

[@HOOYANOE]

Great bit of (clearly) live singing (over the top of a backing track). Now this is what I call a graduation ceremony! *****

[@swall359]

We all love you Dolly.

[@rushcoilpdx]

If she is really singing that live, that is pretty damn astounding.

[@nuclearhythmics]

seems would take more practice to lip sync it exactly than to perform it, wonder how many time's she's sang it

[@MikeyBigWheel]

a true American icon...

[@robyfox2]

My God...7 minutes and 10 seconds. That's not an introduction...that's a soliloquy!

[@IrishLincoln]

My graduation from UT sucked. The governor didn't show up, the guest speaker got stranded at an airport somewhere and everyone around me smelled like cheap vodka. Oh well, GO VOLS!

[@helmutnyc]

she is so great

[@111JenA]

Love this song! originally by The Carter sisters and mother Maybelle. The pioneers of country. But Dolly did a awesome job with it.

[@DA-zh5wo]

Actually it was first recorded by the Osbournes and written by Felice and Boudleaux Bryant in 1967

[@kengkaru]

I'm second to you.... i love her voice.

[@emilypops]

greatest graduation ever im so jealous

[@hollyr.1139]

And little did they know, at the time this was recorded, that Dolly Parton would get even deeper into philanthropy, even with funding the development of a covid-19 vaccine. She's amazing.

[@samuelatwood8378]

for some one who don't need an introduction she got an awfully long one... administrators love the sound of their own voices ... don't they??

[@jamesgeary9895]

Thats the governor of tennessee sir

[@csc7225]

He spoke for a long time, but it was about Dolly rather than himself. She’s an absolute legend and he paid her a very nice tribute.

[@BryceluvsDolly]

Correct! I was there! And She was live singing beacsue they acidently started the muic to early before the ceremony started and there were no words just music. HA!

[@ME-pj8nw]

Her voice is fucking INCREDIBLE!

[@kirkenes]

Dolly is a goddess!

[@billbright1755]

Tennessee,, Ya done good! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

[@IrishLincoln]

This was a great graduation. Mine was horrible. When I graduated UT our guest speaker didn't even show up and the girl next to me was so hungover she almost couldn't walk across the stage. The whole floor smelled like vodka. But I got that scroll and ran! GO VOLS!

[@siszi20022]

Wish I could do that

[@lilpeach714]

My son graduated that day, but he was in the first group and we had to listen to Al Gore, Ugh! Would have much rather listened to her. We love you Dolly!

[@lovelife5965]

I'm so proud to be a UT student! I have fallen in love with TN and UTK!

[@billbright1755]

Further more,,, and in conclusion, on this occasion quite auspicious, I say to you my esteemed colleagues and audience members, to finalize my small introduction, but first perhaps a small story is in order here. So where to begin, hmm, let's see,, many years ago as a small boy on Rocky Top,,,

[@buellrod]

If something ever happens to her the world stops just an amazing person around the world if you're looking at making a mark she's done it 10 times over

[@mrcrunkle]

go vandy. great season in basketball vols. wish u had upset bama in football. dolly parton is spectacular

[@dianeross290]

Her version of Mule Skinner Blues is awesome!

[@Chicagoan444]

Now that's a commencement speech!

[@prepperchris1]

Queen of south no doubt

[@Moneytalks.29]

Dolly in 24!!!

[@ybunnygurl]

@CarmenAleXXXis I don't think she is lip sinking the lack of feedback is because the person working the sound board knew how to work it properly, matched with a modern sound system and some video sound editing magic. The sound is off on the whole video due to compression.

[@BNAGurl59]

Governor Phil, sure do miss him

[@lindafudge57]

I love her

[@Champcelticsnumber9]

Thanks for the 10 hour long intro Governor Bredesen

[@gregorydiggs9227]

I love me some Dolly Parton

[@ceciliagoldey220]

awesome

[@JohnnyHoffa]

This would be a much better video if it started at 7 minutes, 10 seconds and then I would have included it in my Ultimate Rocky Top Playlist.

[@billbright1755]

And now with out further ado. Here comes Dolly, twice!

[@Promises101]

When all my kids come home 🏡

[@NekoMouser]

Only way I'd ever upvote a University of Tennessee post is if you put Dolly Parton in it.

[@jebangelacox9279]

make Tennessee great again #firebutch

[@k1Stung]

"a person who needs no introduction"....proceeds to give a 7 minute introduction

[@blueskull6789]

career politician

[@SenorJuan2023]

Her husband is the luckiest man in World History!

[@annohalloran6020]

She is a goddess.

[@SonofEmmy2]

"Rocky Top" was 100% mimed...."Try" was live. She does rely quite heavily on backing tracks while on tour, but in this case, and in many instances during the tours, she lip-sychs. Anyone remember the 2004 "Hello, I'm Dolly" Tour? She mimed the WHOLE freaking show! She saved face by singing to backing tracks during "The Vintage" and "Backwoods Barbie" tours.

[@mundrubjet]

BTW...just go ahead and skip up to the 7:00 mark and you'll skip all the bs....

[@jbarnhart2653]

"...needs no introduction..." I should have known. OH GOD SHOOT ME...I didn't read this FIRST.

[@teriw56]

Thank you

[@nancemb1]

wholly crap, didn't think I was ever going to see Dolly, is there another video of this with just Dolly?

[@zackrocks23]

I was there. My sister graduated with her.

[@brucewinkler3317]

Rocky Top Tennessee Was In The Movie Six Pack.

[@fjccommish]

I always wondered why the folks on Rocky Top get their corn from a jar. Dolly is an excellent singer.

[@wickfields]

The elevation makes it hard to grow corn?

[@fjccommish]

@@wickfields Could be, I reckon.

[@genniesfur]

@@wickfields Corn in a jar = Whiskey/Moonshine 😁

[@lindaf4836]

'grounds too rocky by far!'

[@fjccommish]

@@lindaf4836 Some group of grounds?

[@UGAmike34]

Go Dawgs !But I Do love Dolly

[@oakincornwall]

If this is official University of Tennessee, you'd think they'd be able to sort out their subtitles.

[@follege]

God! All that for one song! D@mn it all!

[@Zulu2020]

She is much better than Loretta Lynn

[@budhames5254]

Yup

[@nomoreliesandy2302]

SHE IS AWESOME HE WAS PAST MAKING HIS POINT, SHE GOT VERY NERVOUS JUST WAITING FOR HIM TO JUST GET HER ON STAGE WHERE SHE SHINES MOST.

[@LadyMercutia]

Dude, for real.

[@hurricanesoccer]

The title should be changed to "Governor reads entire wikipedia page on Dolly Parton, students sleep heavily"

[@Moneytalks.29]

Dolly in 24

[@Neverdie242]

Skip the first 7min & 10 sec, after that it's real good

[@joes-lv7ro]

At Colgate 2002 we got charlie rose for my speaker. Fml

[@scg325]

GAHHHHHHHh i miss tennessee!

[@utubecenseorstruth]

what are 5 things you never hear in tennesee 5, wraslins fake 4 ill have the egg white omlette instead of biscuits and gravy 3 we cant do that you are my sister/brother 2 i got it all saved on disk/cd/hard drive 1 HOME OF THE 12 TIME NATIONAL CHAMPIONS FOOTBALL TEAM

[@margaretstokely9016]

That Governor loves the sound of his own voice.

[@jeffcohen7331]

skip to 7:10 to avoid hearing the governor drone on

[@SovaySovay]

Forward to 7:15 for the good stuff!

[@jensenbell]

7:09

[@freesk8]

Dolly starts at 7:15.

[@billbright1755]

What if there were a trap door under the podium that an impatient audience member had the remote control to. Hard telling what might happen!

[@travler786]

Bill Bright I'd have pressed the button. :D He was way too long winded

[@fcextra6625]

Devyn James "I'm going to explain briefly" 7 Minutes Later... "blah blah"

[@wmwardwell]

+Bill Bright typical college prof all full of what he thinks is important,not what he promised the audience at the start. Button HELL. It would have been a pull chain off'n a wall mount tank crapper. Rushs' guitarist was shorter and more to the point with his Blah Blah Blah speech. At least that one made a serious statement to the crowd of people celebrating Rush's induction into the R&R Hall of idiocy. I mean,induct MafuckingDonna in before THEM And Led Zeppelin ?? Gimme a break morons.

[@JohnnyHoffa]

The introduction was literally longer than the song.

[@VealParmigiana]

Loretta Lynn recorded a good version of this song, but in my opinion, Dolly does this song the best.

[@timjohnson8464]

She been on cash walker show

[@skipdow3]

Come back when you're that age, and show us what you look like, and if you have the energy to perform like that. If you want to challenge her, she can play the banjo at the same time she sings the song; Can you ? What were you doing in 1959 ? She was making records. Apparently somebody bought them, as she's credited with selling 100 million. Most folks age some as the years go by. She's no exception. Let's see--- Your state and town is known for a cracked bell.

[@utubecenseorstruth]

@mudhawg97 it is a proven fact that except florida the rest of the country is biased against the sec. I always root for the highest sec team at the end. i even rooted for auburn that one year. Dixie needs to stick together

[@letstalktruecrime01]

8:34 dude checking out dolly's azz. sweet.

[@496gonfishin]

@wg4580 hell ya!

[@Michael_Chandler_Keaton]

Video title should be changed to "Phil Bredesen rambles on for 5 minutes." Edit: 7 minutes he's still going.