Dolly Parton is an iconic country music singer, songwriter, actress, author, and philanthropist who has had an immensely successful career spanning over 50 years.
From her humble beginnings in rural Tennessee to becoming a globally recognizable superstar.
Parton has left an indelible mark on popular culture through her music, films, and charitable endeavors.
At the core of her multi-faceted career has been an ability to craft memorable songs that resonate deeply with audiences and a drive to lift others up through her philanthropic work.
Dolly Rebecca Parton was born on January 19, 1946 in Sevierville, Tennessee to Robert Lee Parton and Avie Lee Owens Parton.
She was the fourth of twelve children born into a poor but musically inclined family.
Parton grew up on a run-down farm in the Great Smoky Mountains, where her father worked as a sharecropper.
Money was extremely tight and the family often struggled to make ends meet. However, Parton has said that despite their poverty, her childhood was filled with love and laughter.
From a young age, Parton displayed a natural talent and passion for music. She began performing as a child, singing in her local church and on early morning radio shows with her siblings. Her maternal grandfather helped foster her love of music by giving her her first guitar when she was only seven years old. Parton learned to play the instrument quickly and began writing her own songs as a pre-teen. She penned her first song, “It’s Sure Gonna Hurt,” at age 11.
Parton’s natural eye color is green, though she often wears dramatic eye makeup that can make her eye color appear different shades. Her eyes are one of her most distinctive physical features. Even as a young girl growing up in rural Tennessee, Parton had an innate charisma and star quality about her. She dreamed of someday becoming a famous singer and leaving her impoverished background behind.
In 1964 at age 18, Parton moved to Nashville to pursue a career in music. She struggled at first to gain traction in the male-dominated country music scene. However, her raw talent and ambition eventually led to her signing a recording contract with Monument Records in 1965. She released her first single, “Dumb Blonde,” that same year, which reached the Top 40 on the Billboard country charts and helped introduce Parton to the world.
In 1967, Parton achieved her first number one hit with her song “Something Fishy.” The success of this song and her subsequent singles established Parton as a formidable new artist on the country scene. That year she also met and befriended Porter Wagoner, a star of country music who invited Parton to join his popular Porter Wagoner Show. Her association with Wagoner helped expand Parton’s audience and career opportunities over the next seven years.
During her time on the Porter Wagoner Show, Parton continued churning out hit songs and albums for Monument Records. Some of her biggest hits from this era included “Joshua” (1970), “Coat of Many Colors” (1971), and “Jolene” (1973). She also earned her first Grammy nomination for Best Female Country Vocal Performance for “Joshua.” Parton’s unique sound blended country, bluegrass, and pop influences, setting her apart from other artists. Her distinct voice and songwriting skills helped establish her as one of the formative artists in the emerging country-pop crossover field.
Despite her commercial success, Parton had artistic frustrations working under Wagoner’s shadow on his television show. She felt constrained by the show’s more traditional format and wanted to expand her creative horizons. In 1974, Parton renegotiated her contract with RCA Records, gaining more control and ownership over her music. She then made the bold decision to leave The Porter Wagoner Show after seven years. Many industry insiders doubted she could sustain a successful solo career outside the show.
However, Parton’s gamble paid off. Her first solo album “Jolene” (1974) was a commercial and critical success, cementing her superstar status with the title track becoming one of her signature songs. Subsequent albums like “The Bargain Store” (1975) and “Heartbreaker” (1978) highlighted Parton’s growth as a singer-songwriter moving beyond her country roots into pop territory. During the late 1970s, she achieved numerous top 10 hits, including “Here You Come Again,” “Two Doors Down,” and “Baby I’m Burning.”
Parton also began to expand her brand beyond music into film and television during this era. She made her film debut in the musical drama “9 to 5” in 1980, which became a major box office hit. In addition to starring, Parton co-wrote and performed the Academy Award-winning title song. She later produced a successful TV series based on the film from 1982-1988. Parton was now firmly entrenched as a multi-media superstar, transcending genre lines with her broad appeal.
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Parton continued churning out hit albums and songs that topped the charts, including “Islands in the Stream” (with Kenny Rogers), “Tennessee Homesick Blues,” “Why’d You Come in Here Lookin’ Like That,” and “Eagle When She Flies.” She also starred in other films like “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” (1982) and “Steel Magnolias” (1989), further showcasing her acting talents. Parton also grew as a savvy businesswoman, launching her Dollywood theme park in 1986 in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
In the new millennium, Parton has shown no signs of slowing down. She has continued recording new music and touring the world to adoring fans. Some of her most recent albums include “Backwoods Barbie” (2008), “Blue Smoke” (2014), and “Pure & Simple” (2016). She has also released several successful albums of covers, hymns, and Christmas songs. Parton remains an active songwriter, penning songs for herself as well as other artists over the decades.
In addition to her music career, Parton has become renowned for her extensive philanthropic efforts, particularly in the areas of children’s literacy and education. In 1995, she founded her famous Imagination Library non-profit program which mails free books to children from birth until they begin school in participating communities. To date, the program has gifted over 150 million free books to children worldwide. Parton also established the Dollywood Foundation in 1988 which provides scholarships for students in her local East Tennessee region.
Through her Dollywood Foundation and other charities, Parton has donated millions of dollars to causes she cares deeply about. She was honored for her philanthropic work with the Library of Congress Living Legend award in 2004 and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2006. Parton’s charitable spirit reflects her upbringing in the Smoky Mountains, where she learned the importance of lifting others up. Her philanthropic endeavors have greatly expanded educational opportunities and helped foster a love of reading for children across the globe.
At age 75, Dolly Parton remains one of the most successful and beloved entertainers of all time. Her career has spanned over five decades with no signs of slowing down. Parton continues to record new music, tour internationally, and act in television and film projects. Her 2018 album “Dumplin’” was released to support the Netflix film of the same name that she also executive produced. Parton has had 25 songs reach number one on the Billboard country charts – more than any other female artist. She has won 10 Grammys, 2 CMA Awards, 7 ACM Awards, and received 50 Grammy nominations to date.
Beyond her commercial success, Parton is admired for remaining authentic to her humble roots. She has never forgotten where she came from – a little girl growing up poor in the Smoky Mountains. Parton has always used her platform to uplift others less fortunate. Through her Imagination Library and Dollywood Foundation philanthropic initiatives, she has expanded educational opportunities for children globally. Parton has also been a champion for LGBTQ rights, women’s empowerment, and fighting illiteracy. She continues to be a role model for following your dreams and using your talents to help others.
With her instantly recognizable blonde hair, signature sequined costumes, and hit songs that have endured for decades, Dolly Parton has cemented herself as an American icon. She remains one of the best-selling female artists of all time, with over 100 million records sold worldwide. Parton’s music spans generations and genres, leaving an indelible imprint on popular culture. Beyond her commercial success, she will long be remembered for her generosity, philanthropy, and ability to lift others up through her artistry and charitable endeavors. Dolly Parton is truly a legend in her own time who continues to inspire audiences worldwide with her music, films, and heart for helping children in need. Her impact and legacy will endure for generations to come.
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Source: Chicago Tribune
