Behind the Music: Preparing for Dolly Parton Tribute Shows

For the past four years, I’ve had the pleasure of playing with a band for Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton Tribute shows several times a year. These performances are a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the music of two artists whose songs have become familiar favorites to many people.

Dolly Parton’s music has touched so many lives. Following her passing in August 2026, interest in tribute performances has increased. I’m preparing to play three Dolly Parton tribute shows in October, November, and December.

There’s more preparation involved in these performances than you might imagine. We have a total of 21 songs on the set list, and although I had played approximately half of them in previous shows, I still needed to become familiar with the entire collection.

My first step was to create a set list and listen to every song over and over. Even when I’ve played a song before, I like to listen carefully to make sure I remember how it goes and feel comfortable with the arrangement. 

Our band director provided charts with links to recordings of the specific arrangements we’ll be playing. That’s especially helpful because a live performance arrangement may differ from the original recording. Listening to the correct version allows me to prepare for the way our band will perform each song.

This time, I’m also singing background vocals, which adds another layer to the preparation!

Background vocals can vary quite a bit from one song to another. In some songs, I sing just a few lines here and there. In others, the background vocals sing entire verses or choruses. That means I need to be familiar not only with the piano part but also with exactly when to sing and what to sing.

To help me stay organized during the shows, I’ll have music charts for the piano and lyrics highlighted to indicate the sections where I sing background vocals. Everything will be on my music stand so I can quickly see what comes next while keeping up with the band.

Preparation goes a long way.

One of the things I enjoy about being a musician is that there’s always something new to learn, even when you’ve been playing for years. Preparing for a show involves listening, studying, practicing, organizing music, and paying attention to the details that help everything come together onstage.

I’m looking forward to the three Dolly Parton tribute performances and to sharing this music with the audiences who come to hear it. It’s a reminder that the music we love takes preparation behind the scenes before it can be enjoyed out front!

Thanks for following along with my musical adventures through Wrightings and Lessons. Whether I’m teaching piano, preparing charts, or getting ready for a live performance, music continues to give me plenty of opportunities to learn, grow, and share what I love.