The country singer was a big inspiration to Cliona growing up and throughout her career
Cliona Hagan has spoken about her feelings towards Dolly Parton’s passing. The world-famous country star’s death was announced on Tuesday, August 2, by her nephew Bryan Seaver.
Cliona has been in the country music industry for 10 years now, where she has toured all over Ireland and abroad, which she reveals may not have even happened if it weren’t for Dolly Parton.
Speaking to the RTÉ Nine O’Clock News this week, the Co Tyrone singer reflected: “I’m honestly still in shock. I can’t believe that Dolly is gone. She was everything and more to me, and I know to so many people all over the world, and if it had not been for Dolly, I don’t think I would have even properly gone into music.
“I can’t believe she’s gone but I will continue to, to keep celebrating her music with our Dolly Songbook Show that we’ve been doing these past three years and we’ll finish it off this March the 7th in the INEC for one heck of a show to celebrate the woman that she was.”
She continued when asked her favourite Dolly song : “My favourite song of Dolly Parton’s would have to be “Coat of Many Colours”, I think it’s to do with the message, you know, you don’t have to have a lot of things in life to be happy. The simplest of things can make you happy. And the way that she wrote that song, because I remember trying to learn it as well, it sounds very simplistic, but it’s actually very difficult.
“She was such an intelligent songwriter, and as well, what a singer too. She could sing songs with such ease because it was such a natural gift to her, but ehm, she was just an extremely extraordinary, talented, special woman, and she will be severely missed, most definitely.”
The country singer also shared her own tribute for Dolly to her Instagram followers the day after the news was announced: “Now that the shock has settled, Dolly Parton..
“What can I say about this woman.”She inspired so many people all over this big wide world and I was not an exception.”As a shy child who would barely raise her hand in class and would never want to be seen in any visible capacity whatsoever, Dolly give me that inner strength I needed to get on stage and to pursue my love of singing.
“From the first time hearing that heavenly voice singing “Yellow Roses” as a child, to then seeing that beautiful, quick witted, down to earth kind person …well that was it for me!I was hooked! She was my role model.
“This past 5 years have been nothing short of amazing getting to celebrate her incredible music with my Dolly Songbook concerts.And to hear that Dolly herself received my Dolly songbook album saying “who’s this little girl singing my songs” was nothing short of amazing and to hear of course that she enjoyed it..well that just made my entire life.
“She was a class act and I’m sure trillions would agree to say heaven has most certainly gained another angel.”Sleep well beautiful Dolly and thank you so much for sharing your iconic music with the world and of course with this once shy little girl.”
Cliona has her own album titled “The Dolly Songbook” with Cliona singing 12 Dolly Parton songs as a tribute to one of her biggest inspirations.
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