Manchester Evening News
·26 Aug 2026
I met Dolly Parton in Manchester, but I was too overwhelmed to tell her what I did for a living
Dolly Parton tribute artist Andrea Pattison recalls meeting her idol backstage at Manchester Arena after a friend won meet-and-greet tickets. Overwhelmed by the encounter, Pattison did not tell Parton that she performed as her professionally, but treasured their brief conversation. Following reports of Parton’s death after a short illness, Pattison described herself as heartbroken and said she intends to continue performing as a tribute to the country music legend, whose humble upbringing and determination inspired her.