Ricky Skaggs Reflects on Spiritual Moment with Dolly Parton

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Ricky Skaggs shared how he and Dolly Parton prayed in a renovated church in her backyard before working on a defining country album. During an interview with Fox News Digital, Skaggs remembered collaborating with Parton for 1989’s ‘White Limozeen,’ an album that rejuvenated Parton’s career.

Before recording ‘White Limozeen,’ Skaggs visited Parton’s Nashville home where the two shared a spiritual moment. She showed him a small church, originally located in East Tennessee, which she had rebuilt in her backyard. They prayed by the altar in the tiny structure, seeking blessings for their upcoming work.

“That whole day was just wonderful. It showed me the kind of woman she was,” Skaggs commented, recalling the day’s impact.

The collaboration between Parton and Skaggs on ‘White Limozeen’ followed his appearance on her television show ‘Dolly.’ Their conversations concluded with Skaggs inquiring when Parton would produce another country album. Surprisingly, she invited him to take the helm as producer.

‘White Limozeen’ marked a return to traditional country music for Parton. The album climbed to No. 3 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart, delivering two No. 1 singles, “Why’d You Come in Here Lookin’ Like That” and “Yellow Roses,” and receiving Gold certification.

Skaggs noted that although ‘White Limozeen’ was their sole major recording collaboration, their bond was strengthened by shared Appalachian roots and Christian faith. Despite criticisms related to Parton’s glamorous image, Skaggs praised her for epitomizing compassion and generosity.

“Some religious people would have really, and probably did, judge her for the way she wore her clothes, or the way that she did this and that and the other, but man, she reflected the love of Jesus everywhere she was,” he said.

Beyond music, Parton was known for her philanthropic endeavors. Her notable initiatives included the establishment of the Imagination Library, distribution of funds following the Great Smoky Mountains wildfires, and substantial donations for COVID-19 research.

Skaggs emphasized that the spiritual moment with Parton influenced his band’s own habits, as they now pray before performances, seeking to touch lives through their music.