“Go On and Love Each Other”: Keith Urban’s 3-Minute Rule for Dolly Parton’s Calls and the Seven Words That Shaped His Outlook

In an industry built on big voices and bigger personalities, few stars command universal admiration quite like Dolly Parton. Her impact extends far beyond her catalog of timeless songs—she’s a living embodiment of warmth, humor, and compassion. And for country superstar Keith Urban, even a brief phone call with the icon can be so uplifting that he’s had to set a personal limit: what he calls “the 3-minute rule.”

Urban’s reason for keeping those calls short? The overwhelming effect of Parton’s unshakable seven-word philosophy:

“Go on and love each other.”

The Power of Seven Words

For decades, Dolly Parton has inspired millions through her music and her life. Her ability to distill wisdom into simple, heartfelt phrases has made her not only a songwriter’s songwriter but a philosopher in her own right.

Keith Urban, who grew up idolizing Parton in his native Australia, says that no matter what subject their conversations start with—music, family, faith, or fame—she always circles back to one unifying idea: love each other.

“It’s incredible,” Urban once remarked. “Dolly could be talking about anything—recording sessions, songwriting, or even a funny story—and somehow it always ends with something like, ‘Go on and love each other.’ It’s just who she is.”

This seven-word mantra, he says, is so pure and potent that it hits him like a spiritual recharge every time they speak.

The Birth of the 3-Minute Rule

Urban’s self-imposed “3-minute rule” was born not from impatience, but from awe. The country singer jokes that after a few minutes of talking to Dolly Parton, he’s overwhelmed with a flood of positivity. “You hang up the phone ready to fix the world,” he once quipped.

He limits their chats to three minutes because, as he puts it, “that’s all the inspiration one man can handle before I need to sit down with a guitar and process it.”

It’s a lighthearted rule that underscores just how powerful Dolly’s influence can be—not only through her artistry but through the force of her personality and values.

Dolly’s Legacy: A Career Built on Kindness

Parton’s legacy as an artist and humanitarian reinforces the message behind her seven words. Her Imagination Library program, which began in 1995, has gifted more than 200 million free books to children worldwide as of 2023. Her commitment to literacy, education, and community uplift has earned her honors ranging from the Kennedy Center to the Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy.

For Parton, the idea of “loving each other” isn’t just sentimental—it’s a principle she’s turned into tangible change. And artists like Keith Urban have been among the many to absorb and amplify her philosophy through their own music and actions.

A Relationship Rooted in Admiration

The connection between Parton and Urban was on full display in October 2023, when Dolly personally inducted Keith Urban into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Urban, stunned to receive her handwritten note agreeing to present the honor, called it “one of the greatest moments of my life.” On stage, Parton praised Urban for his generosity, humility, and dedication to his craft, perfectly embodying her own creed of kindness and respect.

Their bond, marked by mentorship and mutual appreciation, reflects the very spirit of those seven words—go on and love each other.

The Lesson: Simplicity as Strength

In a culture that often glorifies complexity, Dolly Parton’s message reminds us that the most profound truths are often the simplest. And for Keith Urban—a man whose own music celebrates love, empathy, and connection—those three-minute conversations are enough to recharge his creative spirit.

The “3-minute rule” may sound like a funny quirk, but at its heart, it’s a testament to the lasting power of kindness and sincerity.

Because in a world that can often feel divided, Dolly’s timeless advice still rings true—and, as Keith Urban can attest, a few minutes of it can change your whole day:

“Go on and love each other.”