"I feel like I've just been walking in circles feeling absolutely lost."
Just days out from the opening of his new, country-themed bar, Christchurch's Jesse James was left reeling at the news that one of his inspirations, Dolly Parton had died.
Parton, aged 80, died this week from cancer-related health complications.
Tributes have since been flowing for the award-winning musician, philanthropist, actress, and businesswoman.
She wrote over 3000 songs, and 49 studio albums over an impressive 60-year career, her last one being Rockstar, released in 2023.
The timing was particularly sad for James, the co-owner of new Christchurch bar Jolene, named after Parton's hit song.
Jolene, is set to open on St Asaph Street this Friday, in the building formerly occupied by nightclub Hide.
James said he and his crew were “absolutely devastated” when they discovered the news.
“I woke up this morning ready to get back into the build…then obviously, I woke up to the news that Dolly passed, and I feel like I've just been walking in circles feeling absolutely lost,” he said.
James said country music was always in his blood. As a kid, his mother, a music artist, would always play Dolly Parton.
“Dolly Parton is probably one of the most, or the most influential humans in country music so it only made sense to name one of the greatest country music bars after one of her songs,” he said.
“Jolene is spicy. Jolene is edgy…that’s the kind of bar we are.
“Massive, massive influence – not just on our lives, but country music.”
James said the bar's management had not completely figured out their next plan of action, because Parton’s death was so sudden and unexpected. But they will be paying tribute to her career over the next few weeks.
