Legends: Dolly Parton

Dolly Parton is more than just a singer-songwriter. She is an actress, a philanthropist, a businesswoman, and a cultural icon. With a career spanning over 50 years, she has sold more than 100 million records worldwide, composed over 3,000 songs, starred in films such as 9 to 5 and Steel Magnolias, and received numerous awards and honors, including the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and the Kennedy Center Honors. She has also been a generous supporter of various causes, such as literacy, education, health care, and wildlife conservation. She is the founder of Dollywood, a theme park in Tennessee that attracts millions of visitors every year. She is also one of the few artists to have received at least one nomination from the Academy Awards, Grammy Awards, Tony Awards, and Emmy Awards. In this article, we will explore the life and legacy of Dolly Parton, the country music legend who has touched the hearts of generations with her music and her spirit.

Early Life

Dolly Parton was born on January 19, 1946, in a one-room cabin on the banks of the Little Pigeon River in Pittman Center, Tennessee. She was the fourth of twelve children born to Avie Lee and Robert Lee Parton, who were poor farmers and construction laborers. Parton grew up in a musical family and learned to play various instruments, such as the guitar, banjo, piano, and harmonica. She began singing and writing songs at an early age and performed on local radio and television shows in Knoxville, Tennessee. At 13, she recorded her first single, “Puppy Love”, on a small label and made her debut at the Grand Ole Opry. After graduating from high school in 1964, she moved to Nashville to pursue a career in music.

The Rise of a Country Music Legend

Dolly Parton is one of the most successful and influential singers, songwriters, and actresses of all time. She has sold more than 100 million records worldwide, composed over 3,000 songs, won numerous awards and honors, and starred in several films and TV shows. But how did she achieve such a remarkable career?

In Nashville, Parton became the protégée of country music singer and Grand Ole Opry star Porter Wagoner. Through repeated appearances on Wagoner’s syndicated television show, Parton gained coast-to-coast recognition. She soon attracted the attention of the music industry moguls at RCA Records and subsequently recorded more than a dozen hit songs—together with Wagoner—on the RCA label. Owing much to her association with Wagoner, Parton rapidly emerged as one of country music’s most popular singers.

In 1974, Parton discontinued her work with Wagoner to launch a solo career, in which she enjoyed immediate success: in both 1975 and ’76 she was chosen female singer of the year by the Country Music Association (CMA) on the strength of such songs as “Jolene” and “Love Is Like a Butterfly” (both 1974). About the same time, Parton began to cross over to the pop music market, and in 1978 she won a Grammy Award for her song “Here You Come Again” and was named entertainer of the year by the CMA. As her career developed, Parton received more Grammys, both for her songs, including “9 to 5” (1980) and “Shine” (2001), and for her albums, including Trio (1987; with Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris) and The Grass Is Blue (1999).

Parton’s early career was marked by her distinctive voice, her prolific songwriting talent, her charismatic personality, and her unique style. She combined elements of country, folk, pop, rock, gospel, and bluegrass music to create a sound that appealed to a wide audience. She also used humor, wit, and honesty to express herself and connect with her fans. She was not afraid to tackle controversial topics or challenge stereotypes in her songs. She was also an astute businesswoman who managed her own publishing company and record label. She was a trailblazer for women in the music industry and an inspiration for many artists who followed her footsteps.

Dolly in Film and TV

Dolly Parton is not only a country music legend, but also a successful actress who has starred in several films and TV shows. She has been nominated for two Academy Awards, five Golden Globes, and an Emmy for her acting work. She has also produced and composed songs for some of her movies.

Dolly Parton made her movie debut in 9 to 5 (1980), a comedy about three working women who plot revenge against their sexist boss. Parton played Doralee Rhodes, a secretary who is falsely accused of having an affair with the boss. She also wrote and performed the title song, which became a hit and earned her an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song. The movie was a box-office success and spawned a TV series and a musical.

Parton’s next film was The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982), a musical comedy based on a Broadway show. Parton played Miss Mona Stangley, the owner of a brothel that is threatened by a crusading TV reporter. She co-starred with Burt Reynolds, who played the sheriff and her love interest. Parton also wrote and sang several songs for the film, including “I Will Always Love You“, which became one of her signature tunes.

In 1984, Parton starred in Rhinestone, a musical comedy about a country singer who bets that she can turn a New York cab driver into a country star. Parton played Jake Farris, the singer who takes on the challenge. She co-starred with Sylvester Stallone, who played Nick Martinelli, the cab driver. Parton also wrote and performed nine songs for the film, including “Tennessee Homesick Blues”, which earned her another Oscar nomination for Best Original Song. The film was a critical and commercial flop, but Parton later said that she enjoyed working with Stallone.

Parton’s next film was Steel Magnolias (1989), a drama based on a play about a group of women in a small Southern town. Parton played Truvy Jones, the owner of a beauty salon where the women gather and share their joys and sorrows. She co-starred with Sally Field, Shirley MacLaine, Olympia Dukakis, Julia Roberts, and Daryl Hannah. The film was well-received by critics and audiences and earned Roberts an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress.

In 1992, Parton starred in Straight Talk, a romantic comedy about a woman who becomes a radio talk show host by accident. Parton played Shirlee Kenyon, a dance instructor who moves to Chicago and gets mistaken for a psychologist by a radio producer. She co-starred with James Woods, who played Jack Russell, a reporter who falls in love with her while trying to expose her secret¹. The film was moderately successful at the box office and received mixed reviews from critics.

Parton’s most recent film was Joyful Noise (2012), a musical comedy about two choir leaders who clash over how to win a national competition. Parton played G.G. Sparrow, the widow of the former choir director who wants to modernize their style. She co-starred with Queen Latifah, who played Vi Rose Hill, the strict new choir director who prefers traditional gospel music. Parton also wrote and performed several songs for the film, including “From Here to the Moon and Back”, which she sang as a duet with Kris Kristofferson. The film received mixed reviews from critics but was praised for its musical numbers.

Parton has also appeared in several TV shows and specials over the years, such as Dolly (1976-77; 1987-88), A Smoky Mountain Christmas (1986), Unlikely Angel (1996), Reba (2005), Hannah Montana (2006-10), Dolly Parton’s Heartstrings (2019), and Dolly Parton’s Christmas on the Square (2020). She has also produced some of her TV projects through her company Sandollar Productions.

Parton’s acting career has shown her versatility and charisma as an entertainer. She has brought joy and laughter to millions of fans with her films and TV shows. She has also used her acting platform to showcase her musical talent and share her messages of love, faith, and empowerment.

Some of the awards that Dolly has won for her acting are:

– A Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical for 9 to 5 (1980)
– A Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical for The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982)
– A Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical for Rhinestone (1984)
– A Golden Globe nomination for Best Original Song – Motion Picture for “Travelin’ Thru” from Transamerica (2005)
– A People’s Choice Award for Favorite Motion Picture Actress (1980)
– A People’s Choice Award for Favorite All-Around Female Entertainer (1980)
– A People’s Choice Award for Favorite Female Performer in a New TV Program for Dolly (1987)
– An Emmy nomination for Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special for Dolly Parton: Live from London (2010)
– A Drama Desk Award nomination for Outstanding Music in a Play for 9 to 5: The Musical (2009)
– A Broadway.com Audience Award for Favorite New Broadway Song for “Backwoods Barbie” from 9 to 5: The Musical (2009)

Dolly Parton: The Angel of Generosity

Dolly Parton is not only a country music icon and a successful actress, but also a generous philanthropist who has given back to the world in many ways. She has supported various causes, such as literacy, education, health care, wildlife conservation, and social justice. She has also donated millions of dollars to help her home state of Tennessee and other communities in need. Here is a brief overview of her philanthropic work.

One of Parton’s most well-known and impactful initiatives is the Imagination Library, a program that distributes books to children across the globe, free of charge, from birth until they begin their first year of school. Parton launched the program in 1995 as a tribute to her father, who never learned to read or write. Since then, the program has expanded to all 50 states in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Australia, Ireland, and New Zealand. It has delivered over 160 million books to more than 1.8 million children.

Another major contribution that Parton made was her donation of $1 million to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in 2020 to support the research and development of the COVID-19 vaccine. Her donation helped fund the Moderna vaccine, which has proven to be highly effective and safe against the virus². Parton also encouraged her fans to get vaccinated and even wrote a parody of her song “Jolene” called “Vaccine” to promote the cause.

Parton has also been a longtime supporter of wildlife conservation and environmental protection. She founded the Dollywood Foundation in 1988, named for her theme park in Sevier County, Tennessee. The foundation’s original goal was to help children in the region achieve educational success, but it also supports various environmental projects, such as Eagle Mountain Sanctuary, a 30,000-square-foot aviary that houses the country’s largest presentation of non-releasable bald eagles. Parton also donated $250,000 to the American Eagle Foundation in 2017 to help protect and preserve America’s eagles.

Parton has also shown her compassion and generosity to her fellow Tennesseans and other communities affected by natural disasters or economic hardships. In 2016, she created the My People Fund to provide $1,000 per month for six months to families who lost their homes in the devastating wildfires that swept through Sevier County. She also hosted a telethon that raised more than $9 million for the relief efforts. In 2017, she donated $1 million to Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt University Medical Center to honor her niece Hannah Dennison, who was treated there for leukemia as a child. In 2020, she donated $200,000 to eight volunteer fire departments in rural Tennessee as part of her Dollywood Foundation’s Mountain Tough organization.

Parton has also been a champion for social justice and equality. She has supported various organizations that advocate for civil rights, women’s rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and Black Lives Matter. She has also paid for students’ band or choir uniforms at predominantly Black schools and given scholarships to students who wish to attend college. She has also spoken out against racism and discrimination and expressed her love and respect for all people.

Parton’s philanthropy is not motivated by fame or fortune, but by her genuine desire to help others and make the world a better place. She has said that her charity work is “something I can take pride in” and “something bigger than myself”. She has also inspired many people to follow her example and give back in their own ways. She is truly an angel of generosity and a living legend.

Dolly Parton: The Roots of Her Music

Dolly Parton is one of the most celebrated and influential singers and songwriters of all time. She has written over 3,000 songs, many of which have become classics in country, pop, rock, gospel, and bluegrass music. She has also won numerous awards and honors, including 11 Grammy Awards, 10 Country Music Association Awards, and the Kennedy Center Honors. But who inspired her to become a musical legend? Here is a brief overview of her musical influences.

Dolly Parton grew up in a musical family in Sevier County, Tennessee. Her mother, Avie Lee Owens Parton, was a singer who taught her many old-timey folk songs that were brought over from the Old World by her ancestors. Her father, Robert Lee Parton, was a farmer who played the harmonica and the banjo. Her grandfather, Jake Owens, was a Pentecostal preacher who also played the guitar and sang gospel songs. Her uncle Bill Owens was a songwriter who helped her launch her career in Nashville. Her siblings also sang and played instruments with her at home and at church.

Dolly Parton also listened to the radio and records of various artists who influenced her style and taste. She admired country singers like Kitty Wells, Hank Williams, Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, and Johnny Cash. She also loved pop singers like Rosemary Clooney, Doris Day, and Peggy Lee. She was fascinated by rock and roll singers like Elvis Presley, Little Richard, and Chuck Berry. She was inspired by gospel singers like Mahalia Jackson, The Blackwood Brothers, and The Statesmen Quartet. She was also drawn to bluegrass singers like Bill Monroe, Flatt & Scruggs, and The Stanley Brothers.

Dolly Parton also learned from other musicians who she met and worked with throughout her career. She was mentored by Porter Wagoner, who introduced her to a wider audience through his TV show and duet recordings. She collaborated with Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris on the acclaimed Trio albums. She recorded songs written by Kris Kristofferson, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, and Randy Newman. She performed with Willie Nelson, Kenny Rogers, Tammy Wynette, George Jones, and many others.

Dolly Parton’s musical influences are diverse and eclectic. She has absorbed elements from various genres and traditions to create her own unique sound and voice. She has also influenced many other artists who have followed her footsteps. She is a musical icon who has enriched the world with her songs.

Dolly Parton: The Woman Behind the Music

Dolly Parton is a country music icon and a successful actress, but she is also a woman who has lived a remarkable life. She has been married for over 50 years, has no biological children, but has many godchildren and nieces and nephews. She has also faced health issues, rumors, and controversies with grace and humor.

Dolly Parton married Carl Dean on May 30, 1966, in Ringgold, Georgia. They met two years earlier at a laundromat in Nashville, when she was 18 and he was 21. Dean is a former asphalt-paving businessman who prefers to stay out of the spotlight. He rarely accompanies Parton to public events or interviews. He has only seen her perform live a few times. Parton once said that he is “not particularly fond of the music business” and that he “loves me the way I am”. Despite their different lifestyles and careers, they have maintained a strong and loving relationship. They renewed their vows on their 50th anniversary in 2016.

Dolly Parton and Carl Dean have no biological children, but they have many godchildren and relatives who they consider as their own. One of their most famous godchildren is singer and actress Miley Cyrus, who calls Parton her “fairy godmother”. Parton has also been a mentor and friend to Cyrus since she was a child. Parton has also been close to her siblings and their children. She has 11 siblings, four of whom are also singers: Stella Parton, Randy Parton, Rachel Dennison, and Freida Estelle Parton. She helped raise some of her younger siblings when she was a teenager. She also adopted some of her nieces and nephews after their parents died or divorced. She once said that she has “a big responsibility to them” and that she loves them “like they’re mine”.

Dolly Parton has also faced some health issues throughout her life. She had a partial hysterectomy in 1984 due to endometriosis, which left her unable to have children. She also suffered from depression after the surgery and contemplated suicide. She later said that her faith and her dog saved her from taking her own life. She also had several breast cancer scares in the 1980s and 1990s, but luckily they turned out to be benign lumps. She also had back problems due to her large breasts, which led her to undergo breast reduction surgery in 2002. She also admitted to having cosmetic surgery to maintain her youthful appearance. She once joked that “if I see something sagging, bagging or dragging I’ll get it nipped, tucked or sucked”.

Dolly Parton has also dealt with rumors and controversies with grace and humor. One of the most persistent rumors is that she is secretly gay and has a long-term relationship with her childhood friend Judy Ogle. Parton has denied the rumor many times and said that Ogle is just her best friend. She also said that she is not offended by the speculation and that she loves her gay fans. Another controversy that Parton faced was when Elvis Presley wanted to record her song “I Will Always Love You“, but his manager demanded half of the publishing rights. Parton refused to give up her rights and later said that it was one of the hardest decisions she ever made. However, she was later glad that she did when Whitney Houston recorded a cover of the song for The Bodyguard (1992) soundtrack, which became one of the best-selling singles of all time.

Hall of Fame honors

During her career, Dolly Parton has gained induction into numerous Halls of Fame. Those honours include:

• Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame (1986)
• Small Town of America Hall of Fame (1988)
• East Tennessee Hall of Fame (1988)
• Country Music Hall of Fame (1999)
• Songwriters Hall of Fame (2001)
• Junior Achievement of East Tennessee Business Hall of Fame (2003)
• The Americana Highway Hall of Fame (2006)
• Grammy Hall of Fame – “I Will Always Love You – 1974 Recording” (2007)
• Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame – Songwriter Category (2008)
• Gospel Music Hall of Fame (2009)
• Music City Walk of Fame (2009)
• Country Gospel Music Hall of Fame (2010)
• Grammy Hall of Fame – “Jolene – 1974 Recording” (2014)
• The National Hall of Fame for Mountain Artisans (2014)
• The Happiness Hall of Fame (2016)
• East Tennessee Writers Hall of Fame (2019)
• Grammy Hall of Fame – “Coat of Many Colors – 1971 Recording” (2019)
• Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (2022)

Dolly Parton’s personal life is as fascinating as her musical career. She is a woman who has overcome poverty, hardship, and challenges with courage, faith, and humor. She is also a woman who has loved deeply, given generously, and lived authentically. She is truly an inspiration to many people around the world.

Dolly Parton: The Highlights of Her Music Career

Dolly Parton is one of the most celebrated and influential singers and songwriters of all time. She has written over 3,000 songs, many of which have become classics in country, pop, rock, gospel, and bluegrass music. She has also won numerous awards and honors, including 11 Grammy Awards, 10 Country Music Association Awards, and the Kennedy Center Honors. But what are some of the highlights of her music career? Here is a brief overview of some of her musical achievements.

– Dolly Parton recorded her first single, “Puppy Love”, when she was only 13 years old in 1959. The song was released by Goldband Records and was a regional hit. Parton later said that “like a first love, a first record for a singer will always be remembered above all others”.
– Dolly Parton became a regular on The Porter Wagoner Show in 1967. She partnered with Porter Wagoner, a country music star and Grand Ole Opry member, who helped her gain national exposure. They recorded several hit duets together, such as “The Last Thing on My Mind”, “Just Someone I Used to Know”, and “Please Don’t Stop Loving Me”. Parton also wrote one of her most famous songs, “I Will Always Love You”, as a farewell to Wagoner when she decided to pursue a solo career in 1974.
– Dolly Parton scored her first solo number one hit on the Billboard country chart with “Joshua” in 1971. The song was a bluegrass-inspired track about two lonely people who find love. Parton followed this success with more number one hits in the 1970s, such as “Jolene“, “Love Is Like a Butterfly“, “The Bargain Store”, and “Here You Come Again“.
– Dolly Parton crossed over to the pop music market in the late 1970s and early 1980s. She won her first Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance for “Here You Come Again” in 1978. She also starred in her first movie, 9 to 5, in 1980. She wrote and performed the title song, which became a number one hit on both the country and pop charts. She also received an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song for it.
– Dolly Parton collaborated with Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris on the acclaimed Trio albums in 1987 and 1999. The three singers blended their voices harmoniously on songs from various genres and traditions. The first album won two Grammy Awards for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal and Best Country Collaboration with Vocals. The second album won a Grammy Award for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals.
– Dolly Parton composed the score for the Broadway musical adaptation of 9 to 5 in 2009. She wrote more than 20 songs for the show, including “Backwoods Barbie”, which became one of her signature tunes. She also received a Tony Award nomination for Best Original Score for her work.
– Dolly Parton released an album for children, I Believe in You, in 2017. The album featured songs that conveyed positive messages and values for young listeners. All the proceeds from the album went to support her Imagination Library, a program that distributes books to children around the world.

She is famous for her pithy comebacks which include

• “If you don’t like the road you’re walking, start paving another one.”
• “The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain.”
• “I’m not offended by all the dumb blonde jokes because I know I’m not dumb… and I also know that I’m not blonde.”

Dolly Parton’s music career has been full of highlights and milestones. She has shown her versatility and creativity as an artist and a songwriter. She has also used her music to inspire, entertain, and help others. She is a musical icon who has enriched the world with her songs.

Dolly Parton is a remarkable woman who has achieved success and fame in multiple fields. She is a country music legend, a successful actress, a generous philanthropist, and a cultural icon. She has also been a trailblazer for women in the music industry and an inspiration for many artists who followed her footsteps. She has overcome poverty, hardship, and challenges with courage, faith, and humor. She has also loved deeply, given generously, and lived authentically. She is truly an angel of generosity and a living legend.

Dolly Parton Playlist