Dolly Parton is following the advice of millions of Americans when it comes to entertainment and politics: Just shut up and sing.
The veteran singer’s management has criticized Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., for using perhaps Parton’s most famous song in Warren’s announcement for her presidential run. Warren came out on stage to Parton’s working-class anthem “9 to 5.” It was a strange choice for a candidate who dabbles in socialism while being a millionaire senator herself.
The only problem is that the artist didn’t give her permission to use the hit. Parton also doesn’t like to get political. That’s a good habit that polls overwhelmingly say Americans wish more entertainers followed.
Parton’s manager, Danny Nozell, revealed that not only did Warren use the song without permission, but that the singer doesn’t ever allow her songs to be involved with any political campaigns.
YOU CAN’T HELP BUT SMILE WATCHING THE CLASSIC DOLLY PARTON HIT “9 TO 5”
“We did not approve the request, and we do not approve requests like this of (a) political nature,” Nozell told The Associated Press.
Nozell, CEO of CTK Management, did not respond to a question about whether Parton’s team might register any formal complaint about Warren’s use of the song, which she played during a Friday town hall meeting in New York City.
Parton is notorious for keeping both her music and herself out of politics. Following an appearance at the 2017 Emmys alongside “9 to 5” co-stars Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda, the two bashed President Trump live on stage. Parton lightened the mood, saying: “Well, I know about support,” the country legend said pointing at her chest.
“I don’t voice my political opinions,” she told Fox News at the time. “I just get out there and entertain. To me, that’s what I do. I don’t condemn them.”
She elaborated in a recent interview with The Guardian saying:
“I’ve got as many Republican friends as I’ve got Democrat friends and I just don’t like voicing my opinion on things. I’ve seen things before, like the Dixie Chicks. You can ruin a career for speaking out,” she said. “I respect my audience too much for that, I respect myself too much for that. Of course I have my own opinions, but that don’t mean I got to throw them out there because you’re going to piss off half the people.”
Candidates on both sides of the political aisle are often criticized for using popular music for their campaigns.
–Fox News and wire services.