Stella Parton
A SONGBIRD’S HEART
by Brenda L. Madden

In February, Stella Parton will be bringing her show, “A Songbird's Heart” to the Nashville Dinner Theatre. When asked to describe the show, Stella notes, “I consider it to be a musical journey through my career from my earliest musical influences through the diversity of music I've been exposed to throughout the years.” The idea, originally conceived at Stella's Hat House Cafe in Pigeon Forge, developed into a cabaret-style performance spotlighting not only her vocal styling, but her songwriting prowess as well.

Although Stella has performed around the world, she knows that it is difficult for a Nashville-based artist to work at home. She comments, “Nashville is probably one of the toughest places to work, because so many people in the audience do exactly what you do and you'll be under tighter scrutiny than you might be in a city outside of Nashville.”

However, as always, Stella is up for the challenge. Throughout her musical journey, she has displayed talent, diversity and determination that few others can tout, whether recording, performing, acting, writing or just living life. All those experiences, professional and personal, have played a role in the development of this production. Stella explains, “You always bring back something to your live concert performances from every experience you've had whether it's from TV, acting or working in a musical or whatever. You incorporate visually as well as musically in everything you are doing. I've tried to bring all that together.”

The show, designed specifically for an intimate setting, embodies not only Stella's music, but also her unique sense of humor, costume changes and personal photos in, as she describes it, a “retro-style,” pulling from the early influence of the “torch” singers from the '50s & '60s. “It will be vintage Stella,” she laughs, “I'm a visual artist, not just a singer. A showis just like a great meal. It should have variety in it.”

Stella continues, “I'm so excited about getting the show up. This venue is so incredibly beautiful and historical and I'm excited about the possibility of having an ongoing place to sit down once in a while and do my show in town for people that come here to see Nashville performers. There's just not enough of that.”

However, don't think for a minute that this is the only thing on Stella's plate right now. Stella is an entertainer, songwriter, actress, author, businesswoman, philanthropist, producer and artist consultant with numerous projects in the works. “I feel like my career has necessitated that I be able to change gears, whether I've felt like it or not. As I've gotten older in the business and just as a women in general, I feel I've gravitated to being an advisor, counselor and motivational person as well,” she comments.

In addition to concert appearances and motivational speaking engagements, Stella will be releasing an inspirational memoir in the spring, which will be available on her website, stellaparton.com. And the journey continues.