Dolly Parton's Success and Achievements in Timeline
A closer look at the biggest achievements of Dolly Parton. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.
Dolly Parton is a highly successful American singer-songwriter, actress, and philanthropist, primarily recognized for her contributions to country music. Beginning her career in 1967 with "Hello, I'm Dolly", she has released 49 studio albums over six decades, achieving significant commercial success. Her 2023 album, "Rockstar," peaked at number three on the Billboard 200, marking her highest-charting album to date.
1968: First Solo Single for RCA Victor
In the summer of 1968, Dolly Parton's first solo single for RCA Victor, "Just Because I'm a Woman", was released and reached number 17, and the duo was named Vocal Group of the Year by the Country Music Association.
1969: Induction into the Grand Ole Opry
In 1969, Dolly Parton was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry.
1978: Grammy Win and Television Appearances
In 1978, Dolly Parton won a Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance for her "Here You Come Again" album and appeared on Cher's ABC television special.
1978: Country Music Association Entertainer of the Year
In 1978, Dolly Parton won the Country Music Association's Entertainer of the Year award.
1980: Commercial Success with Chart-Topping Hits
In 1980, Dolly Parton experienced commercial success with three consecutive country chart number-one hits, including "Starting Over Again," "Old Flames Can't Hold a Candle to You," and the theme song to the feature film "9 to 5".
February 1981: "9 to 5" Reaches Number One
In February 1981, Dolly Parton's theme song to the film "9 to 5" reached number one on the pop and adult-contemporary charts, achieving a triple number-one hit.
1981: "9 to 5" tops Country and Pop charts
In early 1981, "9 to 5" topped both the country and pop charts. Parton also had another Top 10 single that year with "Making Plans," released from a 1980 album with Porter Wagoner.
1983: Duet "Islands in the Stream" Reached Number One
In 1983, Dolly Parton's duet with Kenny Rogers, "Islands in the Stream," spent two weeks at number one.
1984: Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
In 1984, Dolly Parton received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for her music.
1985: Continued success with Top 10 hits
Between 1981 and 1985, Dolly Parton consistently had singles appear in the country Top 10, with half of them reaching number one.
1986: Ms. Magazine's Women of the Year and Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame
In 1986, Dolly Parton was named one of Ms. Magazine's Women of the Year and was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.
1987: Released "Trio" with Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt
In 1987, Dolly Parton, along with Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt, released "Trio" to critical acclaim, revitalizing Parton's music career.
1989: Released "White Limozeen"
In 1989, Dolly Parton released "White Limozeen," which produced two number-one hits: "Why'd You Come in Here Lookin' Like That" and "Yellow Roses".
1990: Honorary Doctorate from Carson-Newman College
In 1990, Dolly Parton received an honorary doctorate degree from Carson-Newman College in Jefferson City, Tennessee.
1991: Duet "Rockin' Years" Reached Number One
In 1991, Dolly Parton's duet with Ricky Van Shelton, "Rockin' Years," reached number one.
1995: Won CMA Vocal Event of the Year Award
In 1995, Dolly Parton's re-recording of "I Will Always Love You" with Vince Gill won the Country Music Association's Vocal Event of the Year Award.
1999: Released "The Grass Is Blue"
In 1999, Dolly Parton released "The Grass Is Blue", a bluegrass-inspired album that won a Grammy Award for Best Bluegrass Album.
1999: Inducted into Country Music Hall of Fame
In 1999, Dolly Parton was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, and "Trio II" won a Grammy Award.
2001: Released "Little Sparrow"
In 2001, Dolly Parton released "Little Sparrow", which included a cover of Collective Soul's "Shine" that won a Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance.
2001: Induction into the National Academy of Popular Music/Songwriters Hall of Fame
In 2001, Dolly Parton was inducted into the National Academy of Popular Music/Songwriters Hall of Fame.
2001: Induction into Songwriters Hall of Fame
In 2001, Dolly Parton was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
2002: Ranked in CMT's 40 Greatest Women of Country Music
In 2002, Dolly Parton ranked number 4 in CMT's 40 Greatest Women of Country Music.
November 4, 2003: BMI Icon Award
On November 4, 2003, Dolly Parton was honored as a BMI Icon at the 2003 BMI Country Awards.
2003: Partnership Award from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
In 2003, Dolly Parton received the Partnership Award from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for her work preserving bald eagles through the American Eagle Foundation's sanctuary at Dollywood.
April 14, 2004: Living Legend Medal by the U.S. Library of Congress
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.
2005: Second Academy Award Nomination for "Travelin' Thru"
In 2005, Dolly Parton earned her second Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song for "Travelin' Thru", written for the film "Transamerica".
2005: Receiving the National Medal of Arts
In 2005, Dolly Parton received the National Medal of Arts, recognizing her significant contributions to the arts.
2005: 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.
December 3, 2006: Kennedy Center Honors
On December 3, 2006, Dolly Parton received the Kennedy Center Honors for her lifetime contributions to the arts.
November 8, 2007: Receiving the Woodrow Wilson Award for Public Service
On November 8, 2007, Dolly Parton was awarded the Woodrow Wilson Award for Public Service from the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars of the Smithsonian Institution during a ceremony in Nashville.
November 16, 2010: Liseberg Applause Award for Dollywood
On November 16, 2010, Dolly Parton accepted the Liseberg Applause Award on behalf of Dollywood theme park.
June 3, 2011: Dolly Parton Day in South Carolina
Starting in June 2011, the Myrtle Beach location became Pirates Voyage Fun, Feast and Adventure; Parton appeared for the opening, and the South Carolina General Assembly declared June 3, 2011, as Dolly Parton Day.
2011: Lifetime Achievement Grammy
In 2011, Dolly Parton received her Lifetime Achievement Grammy Award, making it one of her 11 Grammy Awards.
2015: Lichen Species Named in Her Honor
In 2015, a newly discovered species of lichen was named Japewiella dollypartoniana in honor of Dolly Parton's music and efforts to bring attention to the southern Appalachians.
2018: Second Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Guinness World Records
In 2018, Dolly Parton received a second star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame alongside Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris. She was also recognized in the Guinness World Records for her achievements on Billboard's Hot Country Songs Chart.
2018: FBI Director's Community Leadership Award
In 2018, the FBI honored Dolly Parton with the 2018 Director's Community Leadership Award for her wildfire aid work.
2020: Grammy Award for "God Only Knows"
In 2020, Dolly Parton received a Grammy Award for her collaboration with For King & Country on their song, "God Only Knows".
2021: Inclusion on the Time 100 List
In 2021, Dolly Parton was included on the Time 100, Time's annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world.
November 5, 2022: Induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
On November 5, 2022, Dolly Parton was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
2022: Asteroid Named in Her Honor
In 2022, Asteroid (10731) Dollyparton was named in honor of Dolly Parton.
2022: Courage and Civility Award
In late 2022, Dolly Parton received a $100-million Courage and Civility Award from Jeff Bezos for her charity work focused on improving children's literacy.
2023: Rolling Stone's 200 Greatest Singers of All Time
Dolly Parton was ranked at No. 27 on Rolling Stone′s 2023 list of the 200 Greatest Singers of All Time.
2023: American Library Association Honorary Membership
In 2023, Dolly Parton was awarded American Library Association Honorary Membership.
