The only real Parton family member in the movie, Stella Mae Parton obviously was unable to portray herself as a child, so was instead portrayed by actress Farrah MacKenzie, while Stella was cast as Carla Bass.
As of this posting in 2020,the real Dolly Parton and the real Judy Ogle are still real-life best friends.
Dolly Parton personally requested that Rick(y) Schroeder portray her Daddy, Robert Lee Parton, because she said that Schroeder bore a strong physical resemblance to Lee Parton and his side of the family.
Both Alyvia Alyn Lind and Hannah Nordberg have appeared on daytime dramas. Lind on The Young and the Restless (1973); Nordberg on General Hospital (1963).
Using wedding dress trim as a lining for the coat was practical as well as generous. Extra fabric of that length and type (softer, one color, etc,) could be let down as Dolly grew and was extremely rare to have a piece that long (at least two yards) to "share"