Some of country music's biggest stars claim Dolly Parton as an influence. "Dolly's definitely an influence for me in keeping a sense of humor about very real things — that it's OK to be a solid artist and go for that but keep a light heart about it, too," Deana Carter told CMT. Jennifer Nettles, who is one of many country stars who've suffered tragic real-life losses, also credits Parton with setting an example for female country artists. "I really love, as a woman, that she's kicked the doors open in country," she said. 

The list of people who admire Parton is seemingly endless. "You just have the few people that are literally the lighthouses for [country music], and she's one of them," Dierks Bentley told ABC News. Miranda Lambert added, "When you think of a one-woman empire, you think of Dolly. She's a singer-songwriter. She plays instruments."

Carrie Underwood said that she admires Parton's humility. "She doesn't take herself too seriously," she said. "She very much could, because she is this iconic, amazing, talented woman. But she knows how to laugh at herself. ... She just handles everything with grace and humor and a smile, and I feel like she's just the most disarming person in the world."