Dolly Parton’s “Threads: My Songs in Symphony” took the stage at the Eugene Hult Center on Friday, May 1. The event showcased Parton’s unique ability to connect with a wide range of people. It offered showgoers an unexpected blend of modern multimedia technology, traditional orchestra and, of course, Parton’s country roots.

As the orchestra played, three vocalists performed her songs on stage, while a large screen displayed visuals of Parton herself, who walked the audience through the performance, sharing anecdotes and words of wisdom.

Parton’s love for Eugene began in 1972, during a Valentine’s Day concert at the Lane County Fairgrounds. While traveling with Porter Wagoner early in her career, Parton felt ill from her time on the road.

Despite canceling several prior shows, Parton took the stage at one of her last stops: Eugene, Oregon. As she took the stage, Parton openly shared her struggles and was met with understanding and kindness. It was here that she received her first, second and third standing ovations.

She immediately returned to her tour bus to write the song that plays at many of Eugene’s sports arenas today, simply titled “Eugene Oregon.”

Parton sings:

“Eugene, Oregon, I’ll remember you for the rest of my life

I won’t forget how good you were to me

No and I won’t be forgettin’ all the kindness that you show

To a homesick country girl a long, long way from Tennessee.”

Her ability to connect with and express gratitude to the crowd has been a throughline throughout Parton’s career, supporting her unique ability to relate with diverse audiences.

“To hear the music of someone who has such an impact over such a long time and a broad influence across culture, too, that’s another thing that’s amazing about Dolly,” David Hamilton, orchestrator and arranger of the show, said. “She’s always been true to herself, and she can speak to people who have different views about culture, politics, and she’s just true to herself.”

Transforming Parton’s songs for orchestral performance is an unusual yet exciting task for composer Hamilton, and for the three vocalists, Blair Lamb, Katelyn Drye and Hollie Hammel.

“I remember the first time we did this with an orchestra. Whenever we hear the swell of the overture to start, it never gets old for me,” Lamb said. “The feeling of having such a powerful force behind you is beautiful.”

The title “Threads” has multiple meanings. As Hamilton said, Parton’s music connects people of all kinds through all kinds of music. Though best known for her country charm, Parton has branched out into many genres: gospel, bluegrass, rock and even pop. It makes sense that her music has the depth to be adapted for orchestral performance.

“It’s a testament to Dolly’s writing. I’ve said this for years about all good songwriters. If you write a good song, it can live in a different light, and it still has impact,” Hamilton said.

The vocalists helped lead this theme of adaptation through song. Each with very different musical backgrounds, the vocalists pay homage to Parton while bringing with them their own flair.

The vocalists see themselves as embodying distinct facets of Parton’s musical persona.

“The young Dolly stuff as she’s on the Porter Wagner show and the sweeter stuff, that’s the track that I cover,” Lamb said. “The big emotional songs, Holly does a great job of storytelling. Then Katelyn gets some of the more fun, flouncy ones.”

The multimedia aspect ties into the theme of Threads, as the technical aspects of animation and video guide the viewer through the transitions between songs. The viewer feels a deeper connection to the live performance as Parton speaks directly to them, sharing the stories behind her songs.

This show signifies the adaptation not only of Parton’s music but also of the evolving landscape of live music, incorporating engaging storytelling elements. Parton’s strong storytelling and broad body of work make audiences feel not only connected to Parton but also seen and further connected to themselves.

“People didn’t come here to see me; they came to see themselves,” Parton said to the audience.