Giants manager Tony Vitello recalls meeting Dolly Parton

San Francisco Giants manager Tony Vitello recalled his Dolly Parton fandom after the singer and actress died at age 80, describing a past attempt to reach her via the Howard Stern Show and a later in-person meeting tied to Tennessee football.

Vitello said he tried to call into “The Howard Stern Show” while Parton was on it to express gratitude for her impact on Tennessee.

“The Kansas City Chiefs can have Taylor Swift all they want, we’ll take Dolly Parton on Saturday.” said Tony Vitello, Giants manager.

Vitello told reporters the next day that he did not get through, but Parton was scheduled to appear at a Vols football game that weekend, which shaped his decision to share the moment.

Vitello said he met Parton during a football game against Georgia and described her as “so gracious to everyone.”

“You felt like you should not be within 10 feet of her because you feel like there’s an angel on her,” said Tony Vitello, Giants manager.

He added that he managed to stand close to Parton “for a minute” despite COVID-era precautions.

“Everybody’s pretty heartbroken,” said Tony Vitello, Giants manager.

Vitello also said he is friends with Tennessee comedian Leanne Morgan, who he claimed “got real tight with Dolly,” and he described the loss as global in scale.

“There’s no one on that level, that’s a worldwide level.” said Tony Vitello, Giants manager.

Parton’s death was announced Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026, by her nephew Bryan Seaver in a video posted on her social media accounts.

“My name is Bryan Seaver, son of Cassie Parton, and I’m representing the Parton and Owens family today announcing the passing of my aunt, Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean, Sister, Sis, and Granny to one generation and Gigi to the next,” began Bryan Seaver, Parton’s nephew.

He said the video announcement was something Parton asked of him years ago, and he referenced his role as head of security for more than two decades.

“As her head of security for more than two decades, a role my father Larry held before me, I have imagined the heaviness of this moment but haven’t truly felt it until now,” continued Bryan Seaver, Parton’s nephew.

After the initial announcement, Parton’s team confirmed to People that she died following a “brief battle with cancer,” though the type of cancer was not disclosed.

Separately, allegations discussed in another report said Howard Stern faced accusations involving a “cult-like” workplace environment, including claims he downsized staff and kept employees from speaking with him at company parties.

“People were warned before any company parties not to speak to Howard, with the added note that people have actually gotten fired for it,” told an insider, as quoted in thenews.com.pk.

That report also included a separate former employee account that said, “The hallway had to be cleared out before he walks down.”