08/27/2026
The country music world lost its brightest light this week. Dolly Parton passed away on August 25th at the age of 80, and few people feel that loss more personally than Kelly O'Brien, who has spent 20 years performing as Dolly in The Dolly Show.
Kelly met Dolly in 2011. Last year, members of the Parton family came to see her perform in Nashville and told her they couldn't believe how perfectly she captured the voice. When the news broke this week, Kelly said "a great light has gone out in the world," and vowed to keep that light shining on stage, honoring the woman who inspired her.
Kelly O’Brien discovered she had a talent for impersonating Dolly Parton after dressing up as the star at a friend’s birthday party.