Audiences at this weekend’s Granite City Music Festival will delight at the dulcet tones of Dolly Parton impersonator Sarah Jayne.
But how did she step into the career, and how has it been walking a mile in Dolly’s sparkly shoes?
Performing and singing has been a career path that has always been top of the bill for Sarah Jayne.
Singing since the age of 11, she had a natural passion for music and entertaining. Singing along to songs by iconic musicians such as Patsy Cline, Lulu and Dolly Parton saw Sarah take part in variety and talent shows both at her school and in and around the south-east of England where she grew up.
This soon extended to recording jingles and voiceovers for radio and by the time Sarah Jayne left school at 16, she already had a job lined up with a band as their lead singer, going with them on tour to Germany.
“Going abroad to work on my own at 16 isn’t the norm for most people, but I had been gigging for several years by that point and it was a way of life for me,” Sarah Jayne said.
“So while I was excited and a bit apprehensive, I knew it was the right move for me.”
After a year-and-a-half of touring German army bases as well as UK Butlins resorts with the likes of Timmy Mallet and Bobby Davro, Sarah took part in a show that planted the seed and saw her become Europe’s most successful Dolly Parton tribute act.
The Great Legends Show in Jersey was the first time Sarah Jayne fully became Dolly, wearing the costumes and wig as well as singing songs just like the country superstar.
“I learned a lot from the show,” she explained. “I was gigging five nights a week as Dolly and it wasn’t just about sounding like her but also getting her mannerism right too and the way she moves around on stage.”
Following this, Sarah Jayne then began auditioning for tribute shows as Dolly, bringing the full Dolly experience which she had truly honed to perfection. The past ten years have seen her perform as Dolly to hundreds of thousands of people around the world, even meeting Dolly herself.
“It was an honour to meet her and she thanked me for doing what I do. However for me it’s a privilege,” said Sarah Jayne.
As well being a full-time professional tribute act, Sarah Jayne is also mum to Lucy Jayne.
Sarah Jayne’s next gig is at the Granite City Music Festival at the Menzies Hotel in Dyce, which runs from tonight August 22until SundayAug 24, where she will be performing alongside her husband Andy Crust who impersonates Kenny Rogers.
The festival starts this evening at 8pm and runs on Saturday and Sunday from 1pm to 4pm and 8pm till late, closing on Sunday night at 11.30pm.
For tickets and further information, email landl@northhighlandradio or call 01463 811677