Dolly Parton is a celebrated American singer, songwriter, musician, actress, and philanthropist, prominently known for her contributions to country music. Her career began in 1967 with the release of her debut album, "Hello, I'm Dolly," and has since spanned 60 years and 49 studio albums. Parton's forty-ninth solo studio album, "Rockstar" (2023), marked a significant achievement, reaching number three on the Billboard 200, her highest charting album to date.
In 1921, Robert Lee Parton Sr., Dolly Parton's father, was born.
In 1923, Avie Lee Caroline (née Owens), Dolly Parton's mother, was born.
On January 19, 1946, Dolly Rebecca Parton was born in a one-room cabin. She is an American singer, songwriter, musician, actress, and philanthropist.
In 1964, after graduating from Sevier County High School, Dolly Parton moved to Nashville the next day to pursue her career.
In 1965, at age 19, Dolly Parton signed with Monument Records and was initially pitched as a bubblegum pop singer.
In 1966, Dolly Parton's composition "Put It Off Until Tomorrow", as recorded by Bill Phillips (with Parton, uncredited, on harmony), went to number six on the country chart.
In 1966, Dolly Parton, with her uncle Bill Owens, wrote several charting singles for Bill Phillips, including "Put It Off Until Tomorrow", and "The Company You Keep".
In 1967, Dolly Parton co-wrote Skeeter Davis's number 11 hit "Fuel to the Flame" with her frequent songwriting partner, her uncle Bill Owens.
In 1967, Dolly Parton released her first country single, "Dumb Blonde", followed by "Something Fishy", and her first full-length album, Hello, I'm Dolly.
In 1967, Dolly Parton's debut album, Hello, I'm Dolly, was released, marking the beginning of her extensive career.
In 1967, Porter Wagoner invited Dolly Parton to join his organization and offered her a regular spot on his weekly syndicated television program, The Porter Wagoner Show, and in his road show.
In January 1968, Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner's remake of Tom Paxton's "The Last Thing on My Mind", released in late 1967, reached the country Top 10, starting a six-year streak of top 10 singles for the duo.
In 1968, Dolly Parton released her first solo single for RCA Victor, "Just Because I'm a Woman", which was a moderate hit. She and Porter Wagoner were also named Vocal Group of the Year by the Country Music Association.
In 1968, the song "Just Because I'm a Woman" was originally the title song for Dolly Parton's first RCA album.
As of 1969, Porter Wagoner had a significant financial stake in Dolly Parton's future, serving as her co-producer and owning nearly half of Owe-Par, the publishing company she founded with Bill Owens.
Dolly Parton was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in 1969, marking a significant milestone in her career.
In 1970, Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner had grown frustrated by her lack of solo chart success so Wagoner persuaded Parton to record Jimmie Rodgers' "Mule Skinner Blues", a gimmick that worked.
In February 1971, Dolly Parton achieved her first number-one single with "Joshua".
In 1972, Dolly Parton had numerous solo hits including "Touch Your Woman", in addition to her duets with Porter Wagoner.
In 1973, Dolly Parton continued her solo success with "My Tennessee Mountain Home" and "Travelin' Man", and had duet success with Porter Wagoner.
In late 1973, Dolly Parton released "Jolene", which would top the country chart in February 1974.
In February 1974, Dolly Parton's song "Jolene", released in late 1973, topped the country chart.
In April 1974, Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner performed their last duet concert, marking her decision to leave Wagoner's organization.
Between 1974 and 1980, Dolly Parton had a series of country hits, with eight singles reaching number one.
In 1974, Dolly Parton's "I Will Always Love You", written about her professional break from Wagoner, reached number one on the country chart. She refused to sign over half of the publishing rights to Elvis Presley for the song.
In 1975, Dolly Parton again topped the singles chart with "The Bargain Store".
In 1975, Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner released their final duet album, Say Forever You'll Be Mine.
In 1975, Ronstadt covered "I Will Always Love You" on Prisoner In Disguise.
In 1976, "Jolene" reached number seven in the U.K., marking Dolly Parton's first success in the UK.
In 1976, Dolly Parton started aiming her music in a more mainstream direction to increase her visibility outside country music and began working with manager Sandy Gallin. She also began taking a more active role in production with the album All I Can Do, which she co-produced with Porter Wagoner.
In 1977, Dolly Parton appeared in a highly publicized candid interview on a Barbara Walters Special, timed to coincide with the release of Here You Come Again.
In 1977, Dolly Parton released her first entirely self-produced effort, New Harvest...First Gathering, highlighting her pop sensibilities. Though it topped the country albums chart, it didn't make a big impression on the pop charts.
In 1977, Dolly Parton released the album Here You Come Again, produced by Gary Klein, which became her first million-seller, topping the country album chart and reaching number 20 on the pop chart. The title track became her first Top 10 pop single.
In October 1978, Dolly Parton appeared on the cover of Playboy magazine wearing a Playboy bunny outfit.
In 1978, Dolly Parton won a Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance for her Here You Come Again album. She appeared on Cher's ABC television special, and her own joint special with Carol Burnett on CBS, Dolly & Carol in Nashville.
In 1978, Dolly Parton won the Country Music Association's highest honor, Entertainer of the Year.
In 1979, Dolly Parton continued to have hits with "Baby I'm Burning" and "You're the Only One", both charting in the pop Top 40 and topping the country chart. "Sweet Summer Lovin'" became the first Parton single in two years to not top the country chart.
Between 1974 and 1980, Dolly Parton had a series of country hits, with eight singles reaching number one.
In 1980, Dolly Parton derived the beat for her song "9 to 5" from clacking her nails together while backstage on the set of the film 9 to 5.
In 1980, Dolly Parton starred in the film 9 to 5, for which she earned a Best Actress Golden Globe nomination.
In 1980, Dolly Parton starred in the movie 9 to 5.
In 1982, Dolly Parton recorded a second version of "I Will Always Love You" for The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. The second version was a number one country hit and also reached number 53 on the pop charts.
In 1982, Dolly Parton starred in the film The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, earning a Best Actress Golden Globe nomination.
In 1984, Dolly Parton starred in the film Rhinestone.
In 1984, Dolly Parton was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for her music, located at 6712 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California.
In 1986, Dolly Parton was named one of Ms. Magazine's Women of the Year. In the same year, she was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.
In 1989, Dolly Parton starred in the film Steel Magnolias.
In 1990, Dolly Parton received an honorary doctorate degree from Carson-Newman College in Jefferson City, Tennessee.
In 1992, Dolly Parton starred in the film Straight Talk.
In 1994, Dolly Parton's autobiography documented initial audience resistance to her replacing Norma Jean on The Porter Wagoner Show, but with Wagoner's help, she was eventually accepted.
In 1996, Kenny Rogers covered "I Will Always Love You" on Vote for Love.
In 1997, LeAnn Rimes covered "I Will Always Love You" on Unchained Melody: The Early Years.
In 1998, Nashville Business ranked Dolly Parton the wealthiest country music star.
In 1998, the asteroid (10731) Dollyparton, formerly known as 1998 BL3, was discovered.
In 1999, Dolly Parton received country music's highest honor with an induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
In 2000, Dolly Parton received the Association of American Publishers Honors Award for her work in literacy.
In 2000, Robert Lee Parton Sr., Dolly Parton's father, passed away.
In 2001, Dolly Parton received the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval, marking the first time the seal had been awarded to a person.
In 2001, Dolly Parton was inducted into the National Academy of Popular Music/Songwriters Hall of Fame.
In 2001, Dolly Parton was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
In 2002, Dolly Parton was awarded the American Association of School Administrators – Galaxy Award and the National State Teachers of the Year – Chasing Rainbows Award for her literacy work.
In 2002, Dolly Parton was ranked No. 4 in CMT's 40 Greatest Women of Country Music.
On November 4, 2003, Dolly Parton was honored as a BMI Icon at the 2003 BMI Country Awards.
In 2003, Avie Lee Caroline (née Owens), Dolly Parton's mother, passed away.
In 2003, Dolly Parton appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show and discussed her cosmetic surgery.
In 2003, Dolly Parton received the Parents as Teachers National Center – Child and Family Advocacy Award in recognition of her efforts in literacy.
In 2003, Dolly Parton's efforts to preserve the bald eagle through the American Eagle Foundation's sanctuary at Dollywood earned her the Partnership Award from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
In 2003, a tribute album called Just Because I'm a Woman: Songs of Dolly Parton was released featuring artists such as Melissa Etheridge, Alison Krauss, Shania Twain, Meshell Ndegeocello, Norah Jones, and Sinéad O'Connor covering Parton's songs. Parton herself contributed a re-recording of the title song.
On April 14, 2004, Dolly Parton was awarded the Living Legend Medal by the U.S. Library of Congress for her contributions to the cultural heritage of the United States.
In October 2005, Dolly Parton was in the midst of composing songs for a Broadway musical theater adaptation of the film 9 to 5.
In 2005, Dolly Parton received the National Medal of Arts.
In 2005, Dolly Parton was honored with the National Medal of Arts, the highest honor given by the U.S. government for excellence in the arts.
In 2005, Dolly Parton was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song for "Travelin' Thru" from the film Transamerica.
On December 3, 2006, Dolly Parton received the Kennedy Center Honors from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts for her lifetime of contributions to the arts. Carrie Underwood performed "Islands in the Stream" with Rogers, Krauss performed "Jolene" and duetted "Coat of Many Colors" with Twain, and McEntire and Reese Witherspoon also paid tribute.
In December 2006, Dolly Parton pledged $500,000 toward a proposed hospital and cancer center in Sevierville named after Robert F. Thomas and announced a benefit concert to raise additional funds. That same year, Parton and Emmylou Harris allowed use of their music in a PETA ad campaign that encouraged pet owners to keep their dogs indoors.
In 2006, Dolly Parton published a cookbook titled Dolly's Dixie Fixin's: Love, Laughter and Lots of Good Food.
In late June 2007, 9 to 5: The Musical was read for industry presentations starring Megan Hilty, Allison Janney, Stephanie J. Block, Bebe Neuwirth, and Marc Kudisch.
On November 8, 2007, Dolly Parton received the Woodrow Wilson Award for Public Service from the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars of the Smithsonian Institution at a ceremony in Nashville.
In 2008, Dolly Parton released her album Backwoods Barbie, with the title track written for the musical's character Doralee.
On April 30, 2009, 9 to 5: The Musical, a musical-theater adaptation of Parton's feature film 9 to 5, opened on Broadway at the Marquis Theatre in New York to mixed reviews.
On May 8, 2009, Dolly Parton delivered the commencement speech at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville's College of Arts and Sciences graduation ceremony. During the ceremony, she received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from the university, the second honorary degree given by the university.
On September 6, 2009, 9 to 5: The Musical closed on Broadway after 24 previews and 148 performances.
In 2009, Dolly Parton publicly came out in support of same-sex marriage, adding to her long history of openly supporting the gay community.
In a 2009 interview on CNN's Larry King Live, Dolly Parton said she had written "at least 3,000" songs, having written seriously since the age of seven.
In 2011, Dolly Parton earned a Lifetime Achievement Grammy, adding to her collection of 11 Grammy Awards and 55 Grammy Award nominations.
On October 12, 2012, Ambassador Theatre Group commenced a UK tour for Dolly Parton's 9 to 5: The Musical at Manchester Opera House.
As of 2012, Dolly Parton had written more than 3,000 songs and sold more than 100 million records, making her one of the best-selling female artists of all time.
In 2012, Dolly Parton said that she had entered a Dolly Parton drag queen lookalike contest and lost.
In 2012, Dolly Parton starred in the film Joyful Noise.
In 2015, a newly discovered species of lichen found growing in the southern Appalachians was named Japewiella dollypartoniana in honor of Dolly Parton's music and her efforts to bring national and global attention to that region.
In 2016, Dolly Parton created the "My People Fund" to provide financial relief to victims of the Great Smoky Mountains wildfires.
In 2016, Dolly Parton participated in a telethon to raise money for victims of the Great Smoky Mountains wildfires held on December 9th. Parton hosted her own telethon on December 13 and reportedly raised around $9 million. Her "My People Fund" provided $1,000 a month for six months to over 900 families affected by the wildfires, culminating with $5,000 to each home in the final month for a total of $10,000 per family.
In April 2017, University of Tennessee professor Stacia West surveyed 100 recipients of emergency relief funds from the "My People Fund" on topics including housing, financial impact, and health following the 2016 wildfires.
In December 2017, a follow-up survey was conducted regarding the "My People Fund", revealing that the monthly financial disbursements allowed participants to return to baseline financial stability reported prior to the wildfire, and improve their ability to set aside savings for future emergencies.
As of 2017, Dolly Parton's net worth is estimated at $500 million.
In 2018, Dolly Parton received a second star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame alongside Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris. Parton was also recognized in the Guinness World Records 2018 Edition for holding records for the Most Decades with a Top 20 hit on Billboard's Hot Country Songs Chart and Most Hits on Billboard's Hot Country Songs Chart by a Female Artist.
In 2018, the FBI honored Dolly Parton for her wildfire aid work, awarding her the 2018 Director's Community Leadership Award at a ceremony at FBI Headquarters in Washington. The honor was accepted on Parton's behalf by David Dotson, the CEO of the Dollywood Foundation.
In a 2019 episode of Brian Johnson: A Life on the Road, Dolly Parton described discovering old cassette tapes and realizing she composed both "Jolene" and "I Will Always Love You" in the same songwriting session.
On April 10, 2020, Dolly Parton re-released 93 songs from six of her classic albums: Little Sparrow, Halos & Horns, For God and Country, Better Day, Those Were The Days, and Live and Well.
On May 27, 2020, Dolly Parton released a brand new song called "When Life Is Good Again" to help keep the spirits up of those affected by the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic.
On May 28, 2020, Dolly Parton released a music video for her song, "When Life Is Good Again", which premiered on Time 100 talks.
In 2020, Dolly Parton received a Grammy Award for her collaboration with For King & Country on their song, "God Only Knows".
In her 2020 book, Songteller: My Life in Lyrics, Dolly Parton credits much of her inspiration to her family and community, particularly her mother and Aunt Dorothy Jo.
In March 2021, Dolly Parton was vaccinated against COVID-19 at Vanderbilt University after donating $1 million towards research at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, which helped fund the Moderna vaccine's early development. She labeled the social media accounts of the occasion "Dolly gets a dose of her own medicine" and encouraged everyone to get vaccinated when eligible, performing a song celebrating her vaccination.
As of 2021, Dolly Parton had appeared on the country music charts in each of seven decades, which is the most of any artist.
In 2021, Dolly Parton released a duet version of the song Does He Love You with singer Reba McEntire.
In 2021, Dolly Parton was included on the Time 100, Time's annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world.
In response to a 2021 proposal by the Tennessee legislature to erect a statue of Dolly Parton, she released a statement asking the legislature to remove the bill from consideration, stating she did not think it was appropriate at that time.
In October 2022, Dolly Parton stated in an interview that she would no longer tour, but would continue to play live shows occasionally.
On November 5, 2022, Dolly Parton was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
In 2022, Asteroid (10731) Dollyparton was named in Dolly Parton's honor.
In late 2022, Dolly Parton received a $100 million Courage and Civility Award from the founder of Amazon, Jeff Bezos, for her charity work focused on improving children's literacy around the world.
On December 31, 2022, Dolly Parton co-hosted NBC's New Year's special Miley's New Year's Eve Party.
On January 17, 2023, Dolly Parton announced she would release her first rock album, titled Rockstar, later that year, during an interview on The View.
On January 20, 2023, the soundtrack single "Gonna Be You" from the movie 80 for Brady was released, written by Diane Warren and performed by Dolly Parton, Belinda Carlisle, Cyndi Lauper, Debbie Harry and Gloria Estefan.
On May 11, 2023, Dolly Parton released the lead single "World on Fire" from her upcoming album Rockstar.
On November 17, 2023, Dolly Parton released her rock album, Rockstar, featuring collaborations with various artists.
In 2023, Dolly Parton released her forty-ninth solo studio album, Rockstar, which became her highest-charting Billboard 200 album, peaking at number three.
In 2023, Dolly Parton was awarded American Library Association Honorary Membership.
In 2023, Dolly Parton was ranked at No. 27 on Rolling Stone's list of the 200 Greatest Singers of All Time.
In June 2024, Dolly Parton announced an autobiographical musical about her life and career initially titled Hello, I'm Dolly, with a goal of opening on Broadway in 2026.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in 2024, Dolly Parton announced a donation of $2 million to relief efforts, with $1 million coming from her personally and another $1 million through her various businesses and the Dollywood Foundation.
On February 14, 2025, Dolly Parton was featured on Sabrina Carpenter's song "Please Please Please" on the deluxe edition of her album Short n' Sweet and its accompanying music video.
In February 2025, Indiana governor Mike Braun declined to support a state 50% match for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. Dollywood Foundation President Jeff Conyers expressed hope that Governor Braun and the Indiana Legislature would restore the state's funding match for local Imagination Library programs. Braun later tasked his wife Maureen with finding ways to keep the Imagination Library's Indiana chapter alive.
On March 7, 2025, Dolly Parton released the single "If You Hadn't Been There", as a tribute to her husband, who had died a week before.
On June 23, 2025, it was announced that Dolly Parton would be embarking on a six-date Las Vegas residency, Dolly: Live in Las Vegas, at Caesars Palace.
In December 2025, Dolly Parton's six-date Las Vegas residency, Dolly: Live in Las Vegas, will take place at Caesars Palace.
In 2025, Dolly Parton will be honored with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award.
In 2026, Dolly Parton aims to open her autobiographical musical Hello, I'm Dolly on Broadway.
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