Country Superstar Dolly Parton- 72 And Still Going Strong

The Church Was Her Stage

Dolly Parton’s family were regular churchgoers, and this practice is a big part in her youth. She started singing at church at the early age of 6. At 8 years old, her uncle gave her a guitar. This is what started it all! Shortly after receiving her first guitar, she started performing on the local radio and television.

The Church Was Her Stage

Johnny Cash Gave Her Advice

At 13 years old, she was at the Grand Ole Opry Hotel to perform. Yes, the iconic venue for country music! You will not believe who she met backstage on that fateful day. No other than Johnny Cash! Dolly received some very useful advice from the singer-songwriter that day. He told her to hold on to her dreams no matter how big they were. He advised her to trust her instinct and to not allow the executives of the music industry to push her around.

Johnny Cash Gave Her Advice

Moving to Nashville

When Dolly graduated from Sevier County High School in 1964, she moved to Nashville, Tennessee, the epicenter of country music. Although she had an amazing voice, she had a hard time starting out as a singer. So, she and her uncle, Bill Owns, wrote songs for other singers at that time. They even had two songs that made the top 10 in the music charts!

Moving To Nashville

She Gets a Record Deal

If you have talent like Dolly’s, you’re bound to get a record deal sooner or later. For her, she got it at the age of 19 when Monument Records signed her. Their vision for her career was to become a wholesome pop star and have teenagers as her main fan base. She did try, recording several singles with the said label, but none were successful.

She Gets A Record Deal

She Makes a Change

It was definitely a loss to pop music when they ignored her work! But their loss was a gain for the country music industry. Composing Bill Philipp’s biggest hit and singing him the sample harmonies were what started her journey in the world of country music. Her two country singles from the album “Hello, I’m Dolly!” became hits. They later on gained the 17th and 24th spots in the music charts in 1967. Obviously, Dolly found her true calling and was on her way to becoming a famous star.

She Makes A Change

On the Wagon

Dolly’s growing fame became more promising when she was invited to appear on The Porter Wagoner Show, the musical variety show that, as many people believe, launched Dolly Parton to success. However, the audience actually didn’t take to her immediately. In fact, Norm Jean had to replace her. The audience later on changed their minds and vocally expressed the fact that they liked her.

On The Wagon

Going Solo

You may be familiar with Dolly Parton only as a solo artist, but she actually recorded several songs with Wagoner. This went on until she left in 1974. RCA Victor immediately took the opportunity to get her. “Just Because I’m a Woman,” her first single, was a disappointment to her because it only reached the 17th spot on the music charts. Although she released more songs in the late 1960’s, they were not as successful as those that she released with Wagoner.

Going Solo

At Last

Actually, Wagoner gave Dolly the freedom to become the solo artist that she always wanted to become, but later on helped her turn her career back on track. Dolly Parton’s cover of “Mule Sinner Blues” was actually due to Wagoner’s advice. It was a hit which was originally sang by Jimmie Rogers. Finally, her career has taken flight! The song took the 3rd spot on the music charts. The next thing she did was record “Joshua” which was her first single to top reach the #1 spot in the music charts. She would keep making hits in the years that followed.

At Last

Tough Love

Although their collaborations were undoubtedly successful, Parton and Wagoner often had arguments about her career. They both have stubborn personalities and Dolly had to eventually leave. Wagoner, however, sued her for breach of contract. In response, she had him sit through her performance of “I Will Always Love You” and sang it to him.

Tough Love

Please Don’t Take My Man!

A lot of people would say that Dolly’s signature song is “Coat of Many Colors” but it only reached the number 4 spot on the music charts. Her biggest hit actually came out in the late 70’s, it was of course “Jolene.” It wasn’t only famous in the US, it also became a big hit in the United Kingdom. Isn’t it cool that Dolly Parton both wrote and sang this song that the Rolling Stone magazine dubbed as one of the best songs of all time?

Please Don’t Take My Man

Back to Pop

Even if she didn’t become successful in the pop music industry, she didn’t lose hope and tried again in the late 1970’s. She got Sandy Gallin as her manager who became her manager for the next 25 years.

Back To Pop

Here She Comes Again

Dolly wanted to reach more mainstream audiences. So, she released the song “Here You Come Again.” More than a million copies of this hit single were sold. It even topped the charts of country music and reached the top 20 of the pop charts. She’s actually destined for more success, but she did not compose one of her greatest singles. In fact, she has Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil to thank for it.

Here She Comes Again

Award Winning

Actually, Dolly did not become a big star until the late 1980’s. It was when she released her album, “Trio.” It amazingly spent 5 weeks on the number 1 spot of the country music charts. Don’t assume that it that’s where her winning streak ended. She was actually inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1999. Aside from this, she also released more albums that won her some Grammy Awards and gave hints of her Bluegrass style.

Award Winning

We Will Always Love Her

We have already mentioned the fact that she started out as a composer, and it’s not surprising that throughout the years, other big stars wanted to cover her songs. Who could forget Whitney Houston’s soulful rendition of “I Will Always Love You” for The Bodyguard? But aside from her, others like Kenny Rogers and LeAnn Rimes also covered the said song.

We Will Always Love Her

The Oscars Come A Calling

Aside from her music award collection, she also received a nomination for the most prestigious award for actors, an Oscar. Her song “9 to 5” was featured on a film with the same name as its soundtrack. The cast was no other than Dolly Parton, Jane Fonda, and Lily Tomlin. What an impressive lineup! She got another Oscar nomination in 2005 for a song in the movie Transamerica. The movie was about a transgender woman and her teenage son.

The Oscars Come A Calling

Dinner With Dolly?

The song “9 to 5” was absolutely about the 9 to 5 setup that most people have during work days. This may be the reason why people are not so surprised about the fact that, in her own right, Dolly Parton is actually a great businesswoman. She actually has a lot of investments in the businesses of Eastern Tennessee. Of course, those include her Dollywood theme park, and “Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede!” The later is a dinner theatre show which tours around the United States of America.

Dinner With Dolly?

Not Riding High

You would think that as the owner of a theme park Dolly Parton would find riding a roller coaster an enjoyable activity. However, it is the exact opposite for her. She has never tried any of the Dollywood rides! In fact, she has motion sickness and it was even a lot worse when she was a kid. She used to get so sick when she had to ride the school bus.

Not Riding High

A Talented Actress

Dolly Parton is not only a great singer and composer, she’s also an amazing actress. Her first acting stint was on The Port Wagoner Show, although it wasn’t much for her acting credit. She even had her own show called, Dolly. Her performance on The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas was actually quite good. She starred with Burt Reynolds in the said film.

A Talented Actress

Signature Style

Having been casted as Miss Mona in The Best Little Whorehouse actually suited Dolly well. She ran a brothel called Chicken Ranch in the movie. Dolly later on explained how her signature look was inspired by an actual courtesan! In one of her interviews, she said that when she was a kid she once saw a woman wearing red lipstick, high heels and had big yellow hair. She said that she knew then, even as a kid, that she wanted to have the same look!

Signature Style

Time for Love

Obviously, Dolly’s life is more than just her career, but her personal life has always been a mystery to most people. She has been with Carl Thomas Dean since 1966. But what’s amazing is not just about the length of time they have been together, it’s also because they were very private about their relationship. In fact, Dolly chose to use her maiden name in her performances instead of her legal one – Dolly Parton Dean. Meanwhile, her husband has kept himself out of the public eye, he has only seen one of Dolly’s live performances!

Time For Love

True Romance

As it turns out, the two have never talked about children and they just allowed fate to do its work. Dolly frankly spoke about this delicate issue and said that she was not destined to be a mother of two children, but for everyone. She even applauded her husband and his sweet gestures. Just recently, Dolly Parton and Carl Thomas Dean renewed their vows. To this day, they remain to have the most solid relationship among married couples in the industry. Many rumors have surfaced over the years; however, there seems to be no truth in them.

True Romance

A Family Affair

The younger generation will love this fun fact: Dolly Parton is Miley Cyrus’ godmother! They have actually collaborated in the past. They made their own version of Jolene. Dolly has always been supportive of Miley. In fact, she even defended Miley when she was criticized by the media.

A Family Affair

Forever Young

If you’re wondering how Dolly Parton has maintained her amazing appearance, then wonder no more. She owes it to the genes she inherited from her parents and to plastic surgery. She got something done to avoid or minimize some sagging. She generally jokes about it and says that she might look fake. However, we think she is true “where it matters.” Dolly thinks that each woman has the right to do what she wants and needs to do to feel and look good.

Forever Young

Not Herself?

Dolly Parton is quite easy to spot from the crowd with her lively personality, blonde hair and big bosoms. It would be impossible not to recognize her! Yet, when she joined a Dolly Parton lookalike contest, she lost! She said, “I didn’t even come close.” As it turns out, most of the contestants were men!

Not Herself?

Just Friends

Dolly Parton was once accused by the media of being a lesbian not just for the fact that she is rarely seen with her husband in public but also for the close friendship that she has shared with Judy Ogle. They have been friends since they were 3rd graders and they still hangout often. You can even see a lot of pictures of them holding hands. Dolly has stated her deep affection for Judy but has made it clear that their relationship was purely platonic.

Just Friends

Building Bridges

Dolly Parton and Wagoner may have had a terrible fight in the past, but she still ran to his side when Porter Wagoner was very sick. He died due to lung cancer when he was 80 years old. Dolly was there with him through it to help and to say her goodbye properly. She described the experience in an interview and was recorded to have said that it was difficult and that she prayed for his healing.

Building Bridges

The Feud That Never Was

Some members of the media said that Dolly was envious of the success of Whitney Houston’s rendition of “I will Always Love You.” However, her real fans know that this is far from the truth! The two, Whitney and Dolly, even talked about how they respect each other. Whitney also expressed her gratitude to Dolly for allowing her to use the song. And Dolly, in return said it was her honor. Aren’t they the nicest?!

The Feud That Never Was

Book Days

Due to her family’s finances when she was younger, she became a person who wants to help children in need. She first gave new books to children every month from their birth to the time they start kindergarten. She did all this through her Dollywood Foundation. For sure, her efforts have helped children hear bedtime stories while growing up!

Book Days

Teaching Tolerance

She not only helps children, she also helps other people in need. Every year, she organizes a Gay Day charity event. She said that she considers judgmental attitude a sin in Dollywood. She also said, “I try to love everybody.” What an awesome person! We love you, too!

Teaching Tolerance

She Once Tried to Commit Suicide

For those who do not know her well, Dolly may look like she has everything she would ever need and that she has a very happy life. However, she has confessed to trying to take her own life once. She said this when she and her husband opened up about their relationship. Her break up with her lover made her very depressed and she tried to kill herself. However, her Boston Terrier, Popeye, was there. Popeye made her realize her mistake and she didn’t push through with her plan to commit suicide. Thank you, Popeye!

She Once Tried To Commit Suicide

President Parton

Dolly Parton was once asked which candidate she would vote for during the presidential election in 2016. Many believed that has implied some support for the presidential candidate, Hilary Clinton. But she jokingly answered that she would run for the said position herself since her hair is perfect for it! We say she has great potential, should she choose to become a presidential candidate, of course.

President Parton

She’s More Relevant Than Ever

She may be older now, but there are no signs of her ever slowing down. She just recently had one of her biggest tours in the United States. She was also in the television show, The Voice. She performed there with her goddaughter, Miley Cyrus. Aside from this, she also received the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award in the Country Music Awards. Hope more good things go your way, Dolly!

She’s More Relevant Than Ever

Rags to Riches

Although Dolly grew up in a poor environment, things are absolutely different for her now. It is believed that her net worth is now at $500 million! Much of her money comes from royalties; mostly due to Whitney’s beautiful rendition of her song, “I will Always Love You.” She has managed to make her life a real rags-to-riches story, and we couldn’t be happier for her!

Rags To Riches

A Tattooed Lady?

There were rumors that Dolly Parton has some tattoos because her arms are always hidden by her long-sleeved clothes. Actually, she does have some ink on her body. She has a tiny heart-shaped tattoo on her cleavage. According to Roseanne Barr, she once saw Dolly’s pastel bow tattoo because the musician showed it to her.

A Tattooed Lady?

It’s All in the Hair

Dolly’s hair is definitely part of her total package. However, did you know that she actually has and wears many wigs? She started to do this when she was younger. She liked how easy it was to experiment with different hairstyles and shapes. She said that she always wears a wig when she goes out of her house. Well, we think she still looks amazing, no matter what her hairstyle is!

It’s All In The Hair

Dolly the Sheep

Science actually paid tribute to Dolly Parton. One of the most popular scientific experiments on genetics was named after her. That’s right! Dolly the sheep. It was the clone sheep that a group of scientists experimented on in 1995. It was actually more than just inspiration on their part. They were, in fact, reminded of Dolly because of the sheep’s large bosoms!

Dolly The Sheep

The Lookalike Contest Fail

Dolly Parton is nothing if not a risk-taker. She once joined a transgender lookalike contest one Halloween in Santa Monica Boulevard. We don’t know why she keeps losing in these kinds of concerts, but she did. For sure the audiences were ecstatic when she revealed that she was the real Dolly Parton.

The Lookalike Contest Fail

Recreating Fond Memories

Like we said earlier, Dolly grew up in a poor family with 11 siblings. Her family’s house lacked the basics like: electricity and good plumbing. When her career took off, she gave her brother Bobby some money to make some improvements in the old house. She mostly wanted it to look exactly the same as in the past, only with a better plumbing system and electricity.

Recreating Fond Memories

Barbie Influence

For most of her life, Dolly wanted to achieve Barbie’s level of beauty. This may also be because of her upbringing in a poor environment. She aspired to be a beauty her whole life and such feeling even came out in her song, “Backwards Barbie.” In the song, the lyrics go: “I wanted to be pretty more than anything in the world, like Barbie. From rags to wishes in my dreams, I could have it all. I’m just a backwoods Barbie, too much makeup, too much hair. Don’t be fooled by thinkin’ that the goods are not there.”

Barbie Influence

Body Art

Well, we’ve already mentioned her tattoos earlier. There were actually rumors circulating in the media about how Dolly Parton is covers in tats. They said it was the reason why she always covers her arm. However, Dolly said that “I have a few little tattoos, but they were mostly done to cover scars because I’m so fair.” Do you think the answer is satisfying enough?

Body Art

Corn Song

It is said that even when she was younger, at the age when she still couldn’t write, Dolly has already made her own songs. Her mother helped he make her songs. Even then the words just came out of her little lips. Her first song was “Little Tiny Tasseltop.” One of her earliest composition had these words: “Little tiny tasseltop, I love you an awful lot. Corn silk hair and big brown eyes, How you make me smile.”

Corn Song

5,000 Songs

This amazing artist has actually composed many songs. If you were to guess, you would not even get close. Dolly Parton has actually made more that 5,000 songs! Only very few of them were released though. And these days, she still tries to come up with a new one in two to three days. Amazing!

5,000 Songs

Same Same

If we were to ask you what Dolly Parton’s greatest songs are, you would probably say “I will Always Love You” and “Jolene.” But believe it or not, both songs were written in 1973!

Same Same

Islands In The Stream

Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton collaborated on “Island in the Stream.” It was, of course, a big hit in the music charts. It even came in 1st in the 100 greatest country duets according to CMT. An interesting fact about it is that the Bee Gees composed that song!

Islands In The Stream

Nothing But A Rumor

Dolly is credited by Billy Ray Cyrus to have jump started his career. When his first album came out, Dolly got him to do the opening act in some of her concerts. His career really took off when he started working with Dolly. However, rumor has it that they were actually more than friends. When Billy tried to apologize to Dolly about the speculations, she just said, “Honey, that sh*t sells records!”

Nothing But A Rumor

Not Far Off

Many people have commented on Dolly’s similarities to her younger sister, Stella. It is pretty obvious! Stella is also a singer and she has just released her new album called, “Mountain Songbird.” The said album was Dolly-inspired.

Not Far Off

Huge Fan

In 1998, before her movie Home Fries was shown on the big screen, actress Drew Barrymore talked about Dolly. Her character in the movie was a huge fan of Dolly Parton. Drew even told Dolly that some of her songs would be featured in the movie. However, the movie did not really focus of Dolly, to her surprise. There were only a few mentions of Dolly, some pictures and posters of her throughout the movie.

Huge Fan

Having A Laugh

One thing that sets Dolly Parton apart is her hilarious sense of humor. She just knows how to make people laugh. She once said, “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.” She was also quoted saying, “I was the first woman to burn my bra – it took the fire department four days to put it out.”

Having-A-Laugh

Baaaaaaaa

The first cloning of a mammal was first achieved in 1995. How is this significant? Well, as we’ve mentioned earlier, it was named Dolly! Ian Wilmut, head scientist of the experiment, was quoted saying: “Dolly is derived from a mammary gland cell and we couldn’t think of a more impressive pair of glands than Dolly Parton’s.”

Baaaaaaaa

Baaad Publicity

Dolly was quite excited when they named the cloned sheep after her. She was quoted saying, “She was called after me because she had big mammary glands. She gave me a lot of competition… but I always said there’s no such thing as baaad publicity.”

Baaad-Publicity

A Bridge Too

We already know that it is nice to share a name with a sheep. However, there are actually other things which bore her name. Take for example the General W.K. Wilson Jr. Bridge, it’s other name is Dolly Parton Bridge, and it is located in Mobile, Alabama.

A-Bridge-Too

Nicknames A Plenty

Dolly Parton actually has a lot of nicknames. She was called The Iron Butterfly, The Book Lady, The Queen of Country, Aunt Granny, The Smoky Mountain Songbird, The Backwoods Barbie, and The Queen of Nashville. What a surprisingly long list!

Nicknames A Plenty

Thick And Thin Skin

We can learn many things from her. One of which is the necessity of a thick skin in order to have a happy life, especially in the industry she is in. She thinks that being tough keeps the negative vibes out of one’s life. Aside from that, she also trusts in the power of love.

Thick And Thin Skin

Greatest Love

Recently, she said in one of her interviews that, “My music is what took me everywhere I’ve been and everywhere I will go. It’s my greatest love. I can’t abandon it. I’ll always keep making records.” Now if that is not passion, I don’t know what is.

GreatestLove

Big Spender

Dolly actually had to learn not to put importance on how people view her sense of style. It is quite obvious that she loves the way she looks. She is a confident woman, and we admire her for it!

Big Spender

Regrets

Dolly talked about regretting not having her own children. In an interview with ABC, she said, “I used to think I should regret it. Early on, when my husband and I were dating, and then when we got married, we just assumed we would have kids. We weren’t doing anything to stop it. In fact, we thought maybe we would. We even had names if we did, but it didn’t turn out that way.”

Regrets

Three’s Company

A hot incident was said to have happened among Dolly Parton, Judy Ogle, her best friend, and Sylvester Stallone. They were allegedly involved in a threesome together! Do you believe it? Well, we may never know as the three never confirmed that such an incident ever happened.

Three’s Company

Besties For Life

The last one was not the only steamy rumor around! Dolly’s close relationship with Judy Ogle has caused a lot of tongues wagging. Some even asked Dolly if she was bisexual. This was what she said, “Judy and I have been best friends since we were like in the third and fourth grade. I mean, I love her as much as I love anybody in the whole world, but we’re not romantically involved.”

Besties For Life

Heart of the Matter

After making her statement about the last issue, people asked her about the status of her relationship with her husband, Carl. Dolly responded on the Daily Mail, “I love to flirt, and I’ve never met a man I didn’t like. Men are my weakness. Short, fat, bald or skinny – I’ve had crushes on some very unusual men but Carl knows I’ll always come home and I’m not having sex with these people – I’m just flirtin’ and having fun.”

Heart Of The Matter

C-C-C Changes

Dolly’s breasts have been her trademark for 30 years, and we’re sure that they have caused her so much pain. She even told Contact Music that she was in a lot of pain because of her breast size. She said in the interview, “My boobs are killing me – and I don’t know if I can stand the pain any longer. My boobs have been a trademark for me – but I’ve paid one hell of a price.”

C C C Changes

Digits Please

Do you know how tall Dolly Parton is? She only stands at 4 feet and 9 inches. You probably never imagined she would be so small because of her bigger than life status. And her breasts? They are a whopping 40DD each. Not surprisingly they are both insured, at $300,000 each. Wow!

Digits Please

That Famous Bust

Dolly is, indeed, known for her big bosoms aside from her personality, looks, singing and songwriting. But do you know that she is not ashamed of them? She once said in an interview, “My boobs are fake, my hair’s fake but what is real is my voice and my heart.”

That Famous Bust

Busted

There are times when children are just so good at picking things up that even adults do not notice. She once even said “Once I was going Christmas shopping. I did my makeup completely different with dark eyebrows, and wore a short black wig, and wore different clothes than I would normally wear.” She said, “I said something, and this group of kids said, ‘You’re Dolly Parton in a black wig!” Well, she is always like that.

Busted

Disguises, Disguises

Amazingly, there were times when she needed to use a disguise to move freely in public. She seems to have tried many things like wearing different wigs, or putting on makeup, but nothing seemed to have worked. The celebrity was still quite easy to recognize.

Disguises, Disguises

The Imagination Library

Dolly started a book distribution company called, “The Imagination Library.” She was apparently driven to have this project because of her father’s illiteracy. Her effort started in 1995 and books were given to children below 5 years old. The aim is to introduce the amazing world of reading to young children, so in turn would start a habit for life.

The Imagination Library

Business Savvy

Dolly Parton is actually a successful entrepreneur. In the early stages of her career, she started Velvel Apple Music. It gave her the freedom to own and release all of her songs without anyone else’s help. In addition, she also started her own record label in 2007. She was the only one on the label, at first and she did her branding by herself. Great job, Dolly!

Business Savvy

Crushing

Dolly’s real fans will know, but it is still worth repeating. Johnny Cash greatly influenced Dolly Parton. She had a crush on him and he advised her to continue pursuing a career in music. This was how she described her time with him: “I was sitting in the audience and that’s when I first knew about sex appeal…he had this tick when he moved his shoulder…and it was still sexy. It still got to me.”

Crushing

Dream Big

Even when she was a small girl, Dolly Parton already knew that she was going to be a big star. At 13 years old, she sang the song called, “Puppy Love.” But the turning point was when she met Johnny Cash backstage of the Grand Ole Opry after she performed.

Dream Big

Stormzy Speaks

Stormzy, an English hip-hop artist, commented about Dolly Parton’s song, “Jolene” on twitter “And Jolene sounds like she’s the baddest b to ever walk this planet.”

Stormzy Speaks

First, I’m A Songwriter

Dolly Parton is a very talented musician, indeed. She has even composed more than 3,000 songs. “I will Always Love You,” made popular by Whitney Houston, is of course part of the amazing line up. Dolly’s talent has given her nominations in the Oscars, Tony’s, Emmy’s and Grammy’s. Wow! She is really an amazing woman!

First, I’m A Songwriter