Dolly Parton Statue

Sevierville, Tennessee

Dollywood, the theme park, is just up the road in Pigeon Forge, but we prefer this little celebrity landmark on the lawn of the Sevier County Courthouse. The statue is a life-size bronze, part of a 28-stop downtown walking tour of Dolly's hometown. Nearly everyone claims to know her personally.

Under a shady tree, the figure by artist Jim Gray depicts the young, starry-eyed Dolly, barefoot, sitting on a rock with her guitar. Her left breast, while not matching her later proportions, is gropable, but the right is covered. We had to bide our time while dressed-up couples straight from church paid their respects and cleared out.

Here's a photo of the elder Jack Kirby, making his move -- we can't recall if we actually explained the whole good luck burnishing thing to him....