Parton, Dolly (1946-…), is a popular country music singer and songwriter known for her expressive songs, lilting voice, and striking stage appearance. Parton has won a number of Grammy Awards for her music. She is also a motion-picture actress and successful businesswoman who runs her own music publishing and film production companies.
Parton has composed many of her biggest hit songs, such as “Coat of Many Colors” (1971), “Jolene” (1974), “I Will Always Love You” (1974), “Two Doors Down” (1978), and “9 to 5” (1980). She has starred in a number of movies, including 9 to 5 (1980), The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982), Steel Magnolias (1989), and Joyful Noise (2012). In 1986, she opened the Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
Dolly Rebecca Parton was born on Jan. 19, 1946, in Sevier County, Tennessee. Many of her songs lovingly recall her childhood in the Great Smoky Mountains. From 1967 to 1974, she performed with country music singer Porter Wagoner in concerts and on his television series. The two recorded a series of hit duets. After Parton left Wagoner, she broadened her appeal by emphasizing more pop music material. She was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in 1969, the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1999, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022.
Parton wrote the autobiographies My Life and Other Unfinished Business (1994) and Dream More (2012). She also wrote Dolly Parton, Songteller: My Life in Lyrics (with Robert K. Oermann, 2020). It contains the lyrics to 175 of Parton’s songs, along with notes written by Parton about each song. 9 to 5: The Musical, a stage musical based on the motion picture 9 to 5, with music and lyrics by Parton, was performed on Broadway in 2009.
In 2023, Parton released the album Rockstar, on which she collaborated with popular rock music performers and covered (remade) popular rock songs. The album also features original songs written by Parton.
