Dolly Parton’s longtime agents open up about working with the singer

UTA's global head of touring Neil Warnock, as well as CAA's Rod Essig, tell IQ about decisive backstage moments in her career and the business mind behind the stage star

News By Ciaran Donnelly | 27 August 2026

L-R: Neil Warnock, Yusuf Islam, Dolly Parton, Danny Nozell

Dolly Parton’s longtime agents have spoken to IQ about their memories of working with the iconic singer, who passed away this week at the age of 80, wth UTA’s Neil Warnock describing a “very smart” business mind behind the stage star.

Warnock, who represented Parton globally outside of North America in her later career, spoke to IQ, as well as CAA’s Rod Essig, who said that “working with Dolly was one of the greatest honours of my career”.

You've used your free article this month

Continue reading with a free account, or subscribe for unlimited access to all of our news, features and reports.

Subscribe Create a Free Account

Share this

MOST POPULAR

Related Content

Best of 2022: Lucy Dickins – A tale of two cities

Looking back on her first 25 years in the music industry, WME's global head of contemporary music and touring revisits her path to the top

Feature 31 December, 2022

A Mother’s Instinct: Natasha Gregory’s 20 years in music

One of the live music world's most respected figures looks back on 20 years and ahead to the future of Mother Artists

Feature 9 December, 2025

The Secret of Success: Gracie Abrams tour report

IQ talks to the architects behind Gracie Abrams’ The Secret of Us trek to uncover how the popstar has ascended to selling out arenas worldwide

Feature 4 April, 2025

Back to top