Siren Nation

Today, our hearts are broken.

To say that we at Siren Nation are devastated by the news of Dolly Parton’s passing is an understatement.

Twenty years ago, in 2005, Siren Nation held its very first Dolly Parton Hoot Night. What began as a joyful gathering to celebrate the music and magic of an artist we deeply admired became the spark that launched the Siren Nation Festival—and eventually Siren Nation, the nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring and empowering women and people of marginalized genders to create art and celebrate their many achievements.

In so many ways, Dolly was there at the beginning.

On June 6, 2026, we gathered at the Alberta Rose Theatre for the 20th Annual Dolly Parton Hoot Night. The room was filled with joy, love, laughter, music, and community as The So So Singers, Alexa Wiley, Ezza Rose, Haley Johnsen, Laura Gibson, Rose Ge**er, Hailey Holden, and the Stone Phoneys came together to celebrate Dolly’s extraordinary songbook.

For twenty years, Portland audiences have gathered to sing her songs, tell her stories, celebrate her spirit, and share in the particular kind of joy that Dolly Parton has always brought into the world. We had no idea, just a few months ago, that our 20th Hoot Night would become such a meaningful milestone—and such a beautiful celebration of her life.

Dolly was so much more than a country music legend. She was a songwriter without equal. A groundbreaking artist. A brilliant businesswoman. A philanthropist. A champion of literacy. A woman who showed the world that you could be smart, ambitious, funny, generous, unapologetically feminine, and entirely yourself.

She made people feel seen. She made people laugh. She reminded us that kindness is powerful, that creativity matters, and that there is room in this world for more love, more joy, more glitter, and more compassion.

For 20 years, Dolly Parton’s music has brought the Siren Nation community together. Hundreds of artists have sung her songs. Her influence helped inspire our organization, which has spent two decades creating space for artists whose voices have too often been marginalized.

What an extraordinary gift she gave us. Dolly Parton

Today, our hearts are broken.

To say that we at Siren Nation are devastated by the news of Dolly Parton’s passing is an understatement.

Twenty years ago, in 2005, Siren Nation held its very first Dolly Parton Hoot Night. What began as a joyful gathering to celebrate the music and magic of an artist we deeply admired became the spark that launched the Siren Nation Festival—and eventually Siren Nation, the nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring and empowering women and people of marginalized genders to create art and celebrate their many achievements.

In so many ways, Dolly was there at the beginning.

On June 6, 2026, we gathered at the Alberta Rose Theatre for the 20th Annual Dolly Parton Hoot Night. The room was filled with joy, love, laughter, music, and community as The So So Singers, Alexa Wiley, Ezza Rose, Haley Johnsen, Laura Gibson, Rose Ge**er, Hailey Holden, and the Stone Phoneys came together to celebrate Dolly’s extraordinary songbook.

For twenty years, Portland audiences have gathered to sing her songs, tell her stories, celebrate her spirit, and share in the particular kind of joy that Dolly Parton has always brought into the world. We had no idea, just a few months ago, that our 20th Hoot Night would become such a meaningful milestone—and such a beautiful celebration of her life.

Dolly was so much more than a country music legend. She was a songwriter without equal. A groundbreaking artist. A brilliant businesswoman. A philanthropist. A champion of literacy. A woman who showed the world that you could be smart, ambitious, funny, generous, unapologetically feminine, and entirely yourself.

She made people feel seen. She made people laugh. She reminded us that kindness is powerful, that creativity matters, and that there is room in this world for more love, more joy, more glitter, and more compassion.

For 20 years, Dolly Parton’s music has brought the Siren Nation community together. Hundreds of artists have sung her songs. Her influence helped inspire our organization, which has spent two decades creating space for artists whose voices have too often been marginalized.

What an extraordinary gift she gave us.

PHOTO CREDIT: Debra Penk