Dolly Parton on turning down Elvis

por Freddenver: Dolly Parton

Dolly Parton recounted the time a producer called to say Elvis wanted to meet her. The plan was for him to record her song by just thinking about her while singing it. She was thrilled until she learned the deal required handing over the publishing rights. Dolly explained that publishing is her most important copyright and she could not agree to those terms. The refusal left her in tears all night long. However, she later expressed deep gratitude for sticking to her guns after Whitney Houston recorded the track. Dolly described driving home from her office and hearing the song on the radio. That specific decision ultimately earned her $10,000,000 from the Whitney Houston version. She realized then that holding onto her copyright was the right move financially and professionally.