Dolly Parton tribute artist Andrea Pattison says she is “heartbroken” after the loss of the country music icon. The singer died on Tuesday aged 80 following a “brief battle with cancer”, a representative confirmed.
Tribute Artist in Shock
Andrea, from Sunderland, who has performed as a Dolly Parton tribute artist for 22 years, said it was the “last news I expected to hear”. She had performed to a crowd of 3,000 people as Dolly at Rewind Festival in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, just a few days prior.
Andrea had been out having drinks with friends, where she assured them Dolly would be back in Vegas soon, when she came home to the news. The 55-year-old has vowed to continue to perform as a tribute artist for as long as she is able to help honour her memory.
Meeting Her Idol
Andrea said: “I was in complete shock. I thought it was a hoax at first but soon the reality sank in. I barely slept at all after watching all the tributes. I just couldn't believe it - I would have sworn that she would live to 100 and be on the cover of Playboy.”
Andrea met her idol while Dolly was on tour in the UK, after her friend won two places in a meet and greet to see her backstage at the Manchester Arena. In the moment, she was too overwhelmed to tell the singer what she did for a living, but the memory of their meeting still serves as a great comfort for Andrea now.
A Shared Background
She told Talk to the Press: “I've been thinking back to meeting her fondly. We shared a laugh over our mothers making clothes for us as wee babies. It's a memory I always treasured, but it feels particularly precious on days like today. Dolly was a great inspiration to me and I love my job as her tribute act - I don't even imagine how I'll go on now.”
Andrea started off as a wedding performer aged 26, but kept being told how much of a resemblance she bore to Dolly. She says she and Dolly have a lot in common.
“I grew up in deprived background in Sunderland and I was one of six – Dolly was one of 12, so we are similar in that respect too,” she said. “I got lots of hand-me-downs from my sisters as we were so poor. Dolly was also from a very poor background - she could have not amounted to anything but she was just so determined.”
