Dolly Parton Shares Why She Was So Nervous Performing In Front Of Her Late Husband

via WKRN News 2 / YouTube
Dolly Parton’s husband, Carl Dean, has always been her biggest supporter—but he rarely joined her in public. From the start of her career, Dean avoided the spotlight, preferring a quiet life away from the glitz and glamour of show business. Even when it came to attending her concerts, he mostly stayed home. His absence wasn’t a lack of support—it was just who he was.
Despite his love for her music, Dean’s presence at her shows made Parton incredibly nervous. Here’s why he stayed away and what happened when he finally decided to attend one of her concerts.
Dolly Parton Was Nervous to Perform in Front of Her Husband
Even though Dean fully supported Parton’s career, he wasn’t the type to sit in the audience cheering her on. “[Carl] is not a show person,” Parton explained, according to Dolly: The Biography by Alanna Nash. “He’s a quiet and home-loving person. If he comes to a show, he likes to go on his own. Most of the time I don’t know when he’s coming. It’s good that way.”
Parton admitted that knowing Dean was in the crowd made her incredibly nervous. She recalled how her anxiety skyrocketed when she was aware that he was watching her perform. “I was a nervous wreck,” she said after one of his rare concert visits. “And it was very emotional for him.”
After the show, Dean gave her some lighthearted feedback. “He thought that if I really kept at it, I might be somebody someday,” she joked.
Carl Dean Kept His Distance from the Band
Even when Dean did attend her concerts, he stayed out of the way. Parton’s band members barely saw him, and when they did, he remained behind the scenes.
“You’d never see Carl,” said backup singer Mary Fielder. “He’d drive up and see her and usually stay backstage or in the audience. Carl’s really in the background. He doesn’t interfere or include himself in any way.”
But despite his reserved nature, Dean had a playful side. He once pulled off an unexpected prank on Parton and her band, shocking everyone by hopping onstage with the backup singers.
“Carl’s a great practical joker,” said guitarist Tom Rutledge. “He’ll do anything. Here’s a guy who never ever came out to the show for six years, and now he’s up on stage singing!”
Why Carl Dean Started Attending More Shows
Over the years, Dean had plenty of reasons to stay home rather than attend Parton’s concerts. One major factor? He wanted to wait until she was fully confident with her band and performance style.
But after years of people constantly questioning his absence, Dean finally gave in. “He just got tired of people buggin’ him about it,” Parton explained. “And then he knew I didn’t until just lately have my show the way I wanted it to be.”
Even though Dean remained mostly out of the public eye, his love and support for Parton were never questioned. Whether sitting backstage or staying home, he was always her biggest fan.