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Ally Lubera

@allylubera

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🎵 noise maker. storyteller. feeling feeler.
📍chi → mich → nash

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I get defensive when anyone says something good about Dolly. Not because they’re wrong, but because words can’t do her justice.

She was the quickest wit and purest heart. She knew exactly how to make everyone feel valued, and diffused all tension with a well-timed self-deprecating joke. She wore 5-inch stilettos every day and once told me even her house slippers had a little heel. When lyrics didn’t match a scene, she’d hum through rehearsal, clicking her “washboard” fingernails, emerging with perfect new lyrics in under 10 minutes.

On my 4th day on the musical, I was transcribing “My Tennessee Mountain Home” when she walked in and asked me to play it. I explained I’d only just begun.

“Well then play and sing one of the ones you do know!”

“One of yours?”

“Well, if you know any!” she said, as if every Nashville musician didn’t have a back pocket full of Dolly covers.

Frazzled, but in a moment of don’t-miss-this-chance clarity, I said, “Alright, but only if you sing with me.”

With a wink: “Well now, that depends on how good you are.”

I started “Jolene,” and she jumped in on the first word, harmonizing every line. I’m grateful we couldn’t record—I would’ve obsessed over my shaky voice and untuned guitar. In my memory, it was perfect.

We sang a few more times—once in a spontaneous Trio reenactment with the incredible @thebethmalone, who caught a video. I’d love to think those moments happened magically, but I know Dolly made them happen because she knew what they’d mean to me. She knew the gift she was giving me.

My role was small; I was meant to be a fly on the wall. Yet, she’d always turn and ask, “Ally, what do you think?” In one of our last conversations, she told me, “I just hope you one day get to be a great big star out in the world like you’re a star to us here.”

“Miss Dolly,” I said, “I’m not sure I’m ever gonna beat this.”

These moments didn’t happen because I was special, but because she saw every person as special. And she did all she could to make them feel it. She belonged to each of us.

Our world is less sparkly today, but she sure left it a whole lot brighter than she found it. We will always love you, Miss Dolly. 🦋 by @allylubera

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2 months ago

Day 1 • Mile 0 🦪 #caminofrances #caminodesantiago taken in Saint Jean Pied De Port, Francia by @allylubera

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5 months ago

2025: The year every plan went awry in the most delightfully whimsical way. Wishing you and yours a year of joy and surprise in 2026 🫶🏻

P.S. The powers that be in academia allege that as of last month, I have officially mastered this music thing ☺️ Music/theatre/film pals — I’d love to hop on some more projects this year; if you hear of anyone needing a composer/arranger/orchestrator/music assistant, keep me in mind! by @allylubera

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9 months ago

A VERY happy opening to all of my dolls at @dollymusical 🫶🏻🌟 what a dream it has been to spend the summer with this magical team! My inner theatre kid is pinching herself every day.

Thank you @blazer.levi for being the best opening night date and for fully committing to the “GLAM” dress code ✨

Custom Nudie-inspired stitching by the remarkably talented @twofoxstitchingcompany 🦋 by @allylubera

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a year ago

What a joy and honor it is to make music with this beautiful soul and help her tell her life story through song. Love you lots, Miss Dolly 🦋 taken in Nashville, Tennessee by @allylubera

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2 years ago

Part 2: A 2023 “proof of life” post, featuring: a full year of celebrating my best gal marrying ~the~ best guy 💕🥹🥂 by @allylubera

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3 years ago

Part 1: A 2023 “proof of life” post, featuring: Joni freaking Mitchell, PNW adventures, bluegrass in the mountains, our Eras era, the NCC youth family, three magical weeks at Interlochen, and a Halloween costume that went a little too far🌲⛰️✨🎶🐶 by @allylubera

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3 years ago

A year according to BeReal 💕Wishing you and yours a happy 2023! by @allylubera

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4 years ago

Happy New Year to you and yours ❤️ I’ll be ringing in 2022 by playing three songs at the Bluebird alongside a bunch of talented writers. Join us next Sunday at 8pm! Tickets go on sale tomorrow at 10am and usually sell out in a few minutes. taken in The Bluebird Cafe by @allylubera

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5 years ago

A handful of happy moments from the latter half of 2021 ❤️ Feat. my new goodest boy, Huck, a magical summer at Interlochen, outdoor adventure pals, the reopening of the Bluebird, and an impulse trip to Red Rocks.

I’m logging off of socials for the rest of the year…so…Merry Christmas?? Sending out love, and I’ll see y’all in 2022 ✌🏻 taken in Nashville, Tennessee by @allylubera

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5 years ago

sorry mom. taken in Tullahoma, Tennessee by @allylubera

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5 years ago

Of all of the COVID closures in Nashville, the Bluebird Cafe has hit me the hardest. For over a year, I’ve been daydreaming of the moment they get to open their doors again... Which is why I’m extra stoked that they invited me to join them across town for Bluebird on 3rd! It’ll be my first time playing 3rd and Lindsley, and the lineup is unreal.

Some day in the (hopefully near) future, we’ll get to gather again in that iconic little room on Hillsboro Pike. But for now, I can’t wait to see the Bluebird magic take on a new stage ✨💙 Tickets on sale now! taken in 3rd & Lindsley Nashville by @allylubera

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5 years ago