Dolly Parton Biography
Date of Birth
19 January 1946, Sevierville, Tennessee, USA
Birth Name
Dolly Rebecca Parton
Nickname
The Smoky Mountain Songbird
The Iron Butterfly
The Queen of Country
The Backwoods Barbie
The Queen of Nashville
The Book Lady
The Leading Lady of Country
Aunt Granny
Height
4' 11" (1.50 m)
Mini Biography
Dolly Rebecca Parton was born on January 19, 1946, one of 12 children of Robert Lee Parton, a tobacco farmer, and Avie Lee Parton (née Owens). Dolly grew up on a run-down farm in Locust Ridge, Tennessee. At 12, she was appearing on Knoxville TV and, at 13, she was already recording on a small label and appearing at the Grand Ole Opry. After graduating from high school in Sevier County, Tennessee, in 1964, she moved to Nashville to launch her career as a country singer. She fell in love with Carl Dean, who ran an asphalt-paving business; they got married on May 30, 1966 (and they are still together). The next year, Dolly's singing caught the attention of Porter Wagoner. He hired Dolly to appear on his program, "The Porter Wagoner Show" (1960). Dolly stayed with the show for 7 years, their duets became famous, and she appeared with his group at the Grand Ole Opry; she also toured and sold records. By the time her hit "Joshua" reached #1 in 1970, her fame had overshadowed Porter's, and she struck out on her own, though still recording duets with him. She left him for good to become a solo artist in 1974. Dolly gained immense popularity as a singer/songwriter. Dolly won numerous Country Music Association awards (1968, 1970, 1971, 1975, 1976). This petite (5'0") beauty was a natural for television and, by the mid-1970s, Dolly was appearing frequently on TV specials and talk shows. Dolly then got her own show, aptly titled "Dolly" (1976). In 1977, Dolly got her first Grammy award: Best Female Country Vocal Performance, for her song "Here You Come Again". Dolly's movie debut was in Nine to Five (1980), where she got an Oscar nomination for writing the title tune, and also Grammy awards 2 and 3, Best Country Song, and Best Female Country Vocal Performance for the song "Nine to Five". Dolly got more fame for appearing in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982), and in Rhinestone (1984) with the song "Tennessee Homesick Blues". She is the head of Dolly Parton Enterprises, a $100 million media empire, and, in 1986, she founded Dollywood, a theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, celebrating her Smokey Mountain upbringing. She appeared as herself in the "Dolly" (1987) TV series. In 1988, she won another Grammy award: Best Country Performance Duo or Group with Vocals, for "Trio". Dolly was in the acclaimed picture Steel Magnolias (1989) with Julia Roberts, and went on to appear in 15 movies and TV-movies for the 1990s, and of course garnered more Country Music Association awards. In 2000, Dolly received her 5th Grammy award: Best Country Collaboration with Vocals. She also released a Bluegrass Album. Dolly is known for beautiful songs such as "Coat of Many Colors" and "Jolene" and "I Will Always Love You". Dolly said in an interview, "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".
IMDb Mini Biography By: kdhaisch@aol.com
Spouse
Carl Dean (30 May 1966 - present)
Trade Mark
Always uses butterflies as her logos, since she feels they represent beauty and freedom.
Her large bust
Platinum blonde hair
Trivia
One of 12 children; grew up in a 1-room cabin in Tennessee.
Owner/namesake of Smokey Mountain area theme park, "Dollywood", located in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, USA.
During the early 1990s, she filmed a series of sitcom pilots for CBS TV. Initially, in 1994, "Heavens To Betsy" was made, starring Dolly and Constance Shulman. Six episodes were completed. That sitcom was scrapped, and the story was re-vamped for the Movie of the Week, Unlikely Angel (1996) (TV). Following the television movie, she was to develop a sitcom where she would star as a "caterer to the stars". This program would have aired as "Mindin' My Own Business" (1996). However, the pilot was never broadcast.
When Drew Barrymore spoke about her film, Home Fries (1998), prior to its release, she revealed that her character was a huge fan of Dolly Parton. She said that several of Parton's songs would appear in the film, and that they spent a two-day shoot at Dollywood. When the film was finally released, the only reference to Dolly Parton was on the walls of Drew's bedroom, which are covered with posters and pictures of Dolly.
Reportedly has her breasts insured for $600,000.
Dolly's classic song "Jolene" was covered by Sherrié Austin (aka Sherrie Austin) on her third album "Followin' A Feelin". [2001]
Her late father Robert was one of 15 children, and her mother Avie (Owens) was one of 10 children.
The world's first cloned mammal, Dolly the sheep, was named after Parton.
Was a candidate for the hosting duties on "Family Feud" (1999) before Louie Anderson was hired.
Elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1999.
Sister-in-law of Richard Dennison.
Various tabloids have reported that her breast implants - which she has never disputed having - have increased her measurements to anywhere from 38CC to a high mark of 48DD
The children's television series "Sesame Street" (1969) introduced a character in homage to Dolly Parton. She had purple skin and blonde hair and went by the name of Polly Darton.
She and her husband, Carl Dean, raised five of her younger brothers and sisters.
Distant cousin of screenwriter Richard O'Sullivan.
Wears size 5 1/2 shoes.
Her song "Jolene" was also covered by Olivia Newton-John. Ms. Newton- John sang it at a taped concert in the Dee Events Center in Ogden, Utah.
Ranked #34 on VH1's Greatest Women of Rock N Roll
Her Oscar nominated song "9 To 5" from Nine to Five (1980) was ranked #78 while her song writing contribution, "I Will Always Love You", from The Bodyguard (1992) came in at #65 on The American Film Institute's list of AFI's 100 Years... 100 Songs: America's Greatest Music in the Movies (2004) (TV).
Her iconic hit song, "I Will Always Love You", was voted the No. 1 song on CMT 100 Greatest Love Songs of Country Music (2004) (TV).
Covered Collective Soul's "Shine." In her version she turns it into a bluegrass song instead of an alternative rock ballard.
Is partly of Irish decent.
Created her song Nine to Five, whilst on set of the film of the same name by tapping her nails.
She was unable to have children of her own because of an allergic reaction she experienced to birth control pills when she was younger.
Ranked #4 on the 40 Greatest Women in Country Music, #3 Loretta Lynn, #2 Tammy Wynette, and #1 Patsy Cline.
Her duet, Islands in the Stream, with fellow country singer Kenny Rogers was ranked the #1 duet of all time on CMT 100 greatest country duets of all time.
Was named 4th Sexiest Woman in CMT list of the 20 sexiest women in Country Music
Dolly Parton was awarded the National Medal of Arts in 2005.
Purchased her hometown radio stations in Sevierville, Tennessee in 1991. She owned and operated WSEV 930 AM and WDLY 105.5 FM, the FM station billed as 'Dolly's Station', until 2000 when she sold both radio stations. Stating at that time that she and her business partners had built up the audiences for both stations and could not take the stations to "the next level". Dolly first appeared on WSEV-AM when she as 10 years old. While owning the radio stations, WDLY-FM was broadcast every operating day from Dolly's Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. The small section of the park dedicated to the radio broadcast was known as 'Radio Square'.
In 2006 she was awarded the Lindy Boggs Award from The Stennis Center for Public Service. She becomes the first nonpolitical recipient.
In 1978 she became one of the few celebrities to have their own pinball machine. Manufactured by Bally Manufacturing Company. The "Dolly" pinball machine played Dolly's #1 single "Here You Come Again" while the pinball machine was active. This item is a highly sought after piece of Dolly Parton memorabilia.
Recorded the song "My Tennessee Hills" with folk icon Janis Ian for Ian's 2004 album "Billie's Bones".
In 1993 she was honored with the Country Music Association's very first "Country Music Honors" Award. As of 2009, she is still the sole recipient of this honor.
She has earned 5 BMI Million-Air (or more) Performance Awards and numerous BMI Songwriter Citations of Achievement. Her classic hit song "I Will Always Love You" is currently certified with a Six Million-Air award, meaning it has been played on radio and television over six million times. She was also honored with the prestigious BMI Icon Award in 2003.
In 1986 she was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.
In 1987 she was among the women honored by Ms. Magazine as "Woman of the Year".
A bronze sculpture of her sits on the courthouse lawn in Sevierville, Tennessee, USA. Sevierville is her hometown.
She has a star on Nashville's Starwalk for Grammy Award Winners. She also has a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame, which represents her accomplishments in the field of recording arts.
Inducted as a member of the Grand Ole Opry on February 4, 1969.
Among 120 celebrities and movie industry executives to receive invitations for membership into the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) on July 5, 2006. The Academy only allows for 30 new members each year, but in 2006 invited more people for membership in order to replace previous members who passed away or were retiring. Other celebrities receiving invitations include Jake Gyllenhaal, Werner Herzog, Felicity Huffman, Joaquin Phoenix, Terrence Howard, Heath Ledger, and Dakota Fanning.
Dolly, Steven Spielberg, Smokey Robinson, Andrew Lloyd Webber, and conductor Zubin Mehta were awarded Kennedy Center Honors in 2006.
There's a Dolly Parton look-alike contest in Gilley's bar in Urban Cowboy (1980).
Co-wrote the song "I Didn't Hear The Thunder (But I Sure Did Feel The Rain)" with late country legend Tammy Wynette.
Sang with Solomon Burke on his 2006 CD "Nashville". The two did a duet on the Dolly written track "Tomorrow is Forever". The song was originally recorded by Parton and Porter Wagoner in 1969 and reached #9 on Billboard's Hot Country Singles chart.
Became WIVK Radio's 2006 Americana Highway HEMI Award Hall of Fame Inductee during the 1st Annual HEMI Awards. Winners in all categories were announced September 24, 2006.
Sister of Willadeene Parton, Randy Parton and Stella Parton.
Her theme park 'Dollywood' in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee is the most popular tourist attraction in the state according to the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development.
In September 2002 she was named Tennessee's official ambassador for film and music by Gov. Don Sundquist. Her job is to promote the state to industry executives in Hollywood and raise awareness of Tennessee's capability to produce television, film, and recording projects (soundtracks) for Hollywood productions.
Lost a Dolly Parton Look-Alike Contest.
On December 31, 2006, Parton was named by the Tennessean newspaper as 2006 Tennessean of the Year for her work with children's literacy. The newspaper has been naming a Tennessean of the Year since 1994.
Dolly's 2007 greatest hits compilation album "The Very Best of Dolly Parton", released in Europe as part of the promotional campaign for her 2007 European Tour, debut at #9 on the U.K. Pop Chart. This becomes the first album in Dolly's career to break the top 10 Pop Albums Chart in the U.K. The CD also debuted at #1 on the U.K. Country Albums Chart.
Had such a miserable time during filming of Straight Talk (1992), that she effectively retired from big screen acting. All her work since has been television work or appearances as herself.
On March 25, 2007 she was entered into London's Wembley Square of Fame with the unveiling of a plaque of her handprints. The presentation was made before her sold-out concert that night at the Wembley Arena.
Selected by the Songwriters Hall of Fame as the 2007 recipient of the prestigious Johnny Mercer Award.
Awarded the Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award from the Academy of Country Music in 2007. This lifetime achievement award is presented to the pioneers of country music who have made lasting contributions to the genre.
Honored with a lifetime membership to Girl Scouts of Tanasi Council, a chapter of Girl Scouts of America, on June 15, 2007.
Inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2001. (not to be confused with the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame).
Godmother of Miley Cyrus.
On August 1, 2007 it was announced she would be starting her own record label, Dolly Records. She is the only artist signed to the label. This is Parton's second record label launch. In 1994 she and producer Steve Buckingham launched Blue Eye Records which Dolly was also the only artist on the roster. The Blue Eye Records imprint appeared on every Parton solo CD from 1994-2006. Dolly Records first release will be Parton's February 2008 CD, "Backwoods Barbie". Dolly personally finances her recordings and then leases the finished albums to other labels for distribution. For her Dolly Records label, she will also take on the responsibility of marketing her CD releases personally and major label partners will only handle distribution of the projects.
In November 2007 the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars of the Smithsonian Institution honored Dolly with the Woodrow Wilson Award for Public Service in recognition of her civic work in regard to children's literacy.
Her cousin is adult actress and model Julia Parton, formally known as Nina Alexander.
In 2006, she donated $500,000 to Fort Sanders Medical Center.
Met her future husband, Carl Dean, at a laundromat.
She was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Recording at 6712 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California.
In Poker, a hole card combination of a 9 and a 5 is called a "Dolly Parton", named after the song and movie, Nine to Five (1980).
Elected into the Gospel Music Association's Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2009.
In 2008 Parton was commissioned as a Kentucky Colonel. The highest honor given in the state of Kentucky [USA].
Elected into the Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame [Songwriter Category] in 2008.
In 2009 the University of Tennessee - Knoxville presented Parton with an Honorary Doctor of Humane and Musical Letters Degree. Parton was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Letters Degree from Carson-Newman College in 1990.
During the 40th Annual Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards in 2009, Parton won for Best Musical Score for "9 To 5: The Musical" which played the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles during in the fall of 2008.
She was nominated for a Tony Award (Best Score for a Musical) for her work on "9 To 5: The Musical" in 2009. She did not win the honor. The Tony was bestowed to the score writers of the Broadway musical "Next to Normal".
On August 9, 1995 Dolly Parton was awarded the Outstanding Service to Youth Award from the Tennessee District - Optimist International.
Inducted into the Music City Walk of Fame (Nashville, TN) in 2009.
Dolly was offered $7 million to play the role of "Selena" in Supergirl (1984), but turned it down because she felt she couldn't play a witch. The role was eventually filled by Faye Dunaway.
Received the Applause Award from the Tennessee Performing Arts Center in 2010.
Elected into the Country Gospel Hall of Fame in 2010.
Recepient of a 2010 Lifetime Achievement Grammy [December 23, 2010].
In December 2010, Parton released her first ever officially licensed calendar for the 2011 year.
In February 2011, Parton took part in "The Boot Campaign" by The Boot Girls. Parton posed in a photo campaign wearing a pair of sequin cargo pants and combat boots in order to support America's troops and families.
Starred in a TV commercial for Dolly Parton's Trinkets and Treasures retail store in Nashville, Tennessee (2010).
On January 9, 2012, Parton was interviewed by Queen Latifah as part of Cinemax's "60 Seconds With" program. The interview spot was done as part of the promotional campaign for the two's film 'Joyful Noise (2012)'.
Dolly recorded the song, "I Will Always Love You," which she also wrote, in 1974. Thereafter, she found out that Elvis Presley was interested in singing the song as a duet with her; however, there was one catch: She would have to give him 50% of the publishing royalties, as was his custom with any duet he sang. Since she had already published the song herself, it made no sense to her to give up those royalties. Thus, despite her intense desire to sing with "The King of Rock & Roll," she had to decline the request...which turned out to be a multi-million dollar decision after the song became a humongous hit when Whitney Houston sang the song in the movie "The Bodyguard" (1992) and the single sold over 24 million records worldwide.
Personal Quotes
I'm not offended by dumb blonde jokes because I know that I'm not dumb. I also know I'm not blonde.
I describe my look as a blend of mother goose, cinderella, and the local hooker!
It takes a lot of money to make a person look this cheap!
I like to buy clothes that are two sizes too small and then take them in a little.
I have little feet because nothing grows in the shade.
If you don't like the road you're walking, start paving another one.
I had to get rich so I could afford to sing like I was poor again.
There are plenty of charities for the homeless. Isn't it time somebody helped the homely?
"I don't know if I'm supporting them, or they're supporting me." (On her ample bosom)
(on the topic of her bust size) People always ask me if they're mine. Yes, they are...all bought and paid for.
(alluding to her famous bust) If I build another park, it will probably be in Silicon Valley.
"I do have big tits. Always had 'em - pushed 'em up, whacked 'em around. Why not make fun of 'em? I've made a fortune with 'em." (Source: as quoted in the book "The Humour of Sex" by Robert Hale)
If you want to see the rainbow you gotta put up with the rain.
There's a heart beneath the boobs and a brain beneath the wig.
After Momma gave birth to twelve of us kids, we put her up on a pedestal. It was mostly to keep Daddy away from her.
"I'm not sixty, I'm 'sexty'" commenting on her 2006 birthday milestone.
"I don't mind being it, I just don't like saying it" when asked about her sixtieth birthday.
If I see something saggin', baggin' or dragin', I'm gonna have it nipped, tucked or sucked. (Referring to Plastic Surgery)
I hope to die right in the middle of a song and right on the stage doing what I love to do. I hope to be about 120 when that happens. (Source: The Mountain Press)
"I wake up with new dreams every day. So the more I can do to channel that into things that I love to create is healthier for me and probably for everybody around me. And the older I get, the earlier I get up. The second my feet hit the floor, I'm awake. I'm like hurry, hurry. I just love life. And I feel like we ain't got but a certain amount of time anyway. I want to make the most of all of it." (Source: Reader's Digest - January 2006)
"He's a precious man. He's got a lot of bad press lately but I think he's out to try to save the world, not destroy it" (Commenting on Cat Stevens' (Yusuf Islam's) deportation from the United States in September 2004 (Source - "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" (1996) October 17, 2005).
I'm like a cartoon! I'll look this way when I'm eighty. I can see it now, people will be rolling me around in a wheelchair and I'll still have my big hair, nails, my high heels and my boobs stuck out!
Some of my dreams are so big they would scare you.
People don't realize that, you know, we have -- 'we' meaning people in show business have the same problems as everybody else. Money don't change that. Fame don't change that. Sometimes that brings on more problems. You know, it's just a -- different kind of problems. As they say, money ain't everything.
I have loved performing since I was big enough to wrestle my little brothers and sisters into sitting long enough for me to sing them my latest musical masterpiece. I just hope ya'll will come out and see this little girl from the hills of Tennessee walk out there on that big ole stage and make her dreams come true, don't make me wrestle you too 'cause I will if I have to!
I'm not like a real person. I love being artificial. I think there's a little magic in the fact that I'm so totally real, but look so artificial at the same time.
I'm just a singer/songwriter and entertainer and I miss people and the energy of the crowd. When I play live it's a lovefest with me and my audience. It's how I get my rocks off.
I'm a show-off basically...always have been.
I learned early on that I could get a lot of attention by singing and writing little songs, so it was like throwing nuts to a monkey...I just couldn't get enough.
I feel fortunate that I've had a lot of songs recorded by other people, because I take my songwriting very seriously. It's only those people that have followed me over the years and really know my work that know how serious I am about all of it - including the way I look. You can't take my high heels from me, you can't have my long fingernails, you can't take all this hair from me, because it's part of this thing that I've become. I wouldn't want to give any of it up. Do I have to be ugly to be a songwriter? This is the way I am, and it's what I choose to be.
I'll never harden my heart, but I've toughened the muscles around it.
If there's a heaven, I hope to hell I go!
I always love working with children. I never had children of my own. God has his purposes. God didn't let me have children so everybody's children could be mine. That's kind of how I'm looking at it.
I figure if I keep my health, I have no intention of retiring. I love to work. I want to be like Bob Hope. I want to keep on going out and doing what I love to do. Of course, I'm no Bob Hope, but I mean that feeling that you never are old and have things to offer and can be useful to somebody. I always want to be useful, I have no intentions of retiring unless I should get sick or something should happen to my husband. Other than that I'm going to work until I fall over.
My music is so mine, it's hard to turn it over to someone else. I have to be really involved in the production. It's like someone else taking care of your kids -- if they don't treat them well, you're going to be pissed off. I'm actually co-producing [Backwoods] with my guitar player of 20 years, Kent Wells. We make a good combination ... I think we're going to have a real good record.
I've never been the big recording star I'd love to be some day. I've had lots of hits off and on through the years but I've never had the success of other artists - one hit after another back-to-back-to-back and big hits, where every song is going to be number one. I'm not greedy or nothing. I just want everything. Is there something wrong with that?
It's when you treat people like freaks that you become one yourself.
Sure I'm in it for the money, but also because I love music. I picture myself in the future as a happy old lady, chubby, rosy cheeks, telling stories to the little kids. When I sit back in my rocker, I want to have done it all. [Time Magazine, April 18, 1977]
I was blessed to have family members who encouraged me to pursue my dreams. Whether it is your parents, or your uncles or your aunts or even the neighbor down the road, it's important that kids have someone who encourages them to chase their rainbow.
Sometimes you see folks who have a negative view of dreamers - people who sit around all day on their hindquarters and do absolutely nothing. These folks aren't dreamers - they are just lazy. To me, dreaming is just part of being alive, inspired, and curious about the world.
I feel blessed that I still have the little Dolly in my heart, I'm still the same girl that wants to squeeze every little drop out of life that I can.
To me, it's about dreaming in the day and in the night. Dreams have always helped me visualize my goals and aspirations. When I was a child, I could see me on stage singing my heart out. I could see what I was wearing and where I was going. I would visit that dream every single day and as I look back, my dreams kept me focused on what I wanted to do and the person I wanted to be.
I have always been a firm believer in working hard for what is right and for making your own breaks if you want things to change.
I'm on a seafood diet -- I see food, I eat it.
I enjoy the way I look, but it's a joke.
I never, ever get involved in politics. With politics you are not allowed to be honest. I don't have time to deal with that. I would rather work with kids.
Tammy Wynette, Loretta Lynn and myself were all in it [Country Music] about the same time. They got a little bit of a head start on me, certainly Loretta, but we were all three good friends and actually ended up doing an album together. But I think I was a little different from them. Loretta had a house full of kids and she wrote those being brought down by men songs. Hers were more about home life and all the women who had children and I totally love and respect her. Tammy could sing any number of things but she was also singing that Stand By Your Man. I was singing songs like Just Because I'm A Woman . . . my mistakes are no worse than yours just because I'm a woman. I think we all did our little thing. I just filled my spot.
I saw early on that I could make a business out of this [music business] because I wanted money, I wanted to travel, I wanted clothes, I wanted to be loved, I wanted to be staying in fine hotels. It wasn't to get away from what I was because I knew that would always be me. I've never been ashamed of my people. I love my people and I love my home.
When the new country came out ten to 15 years ago, people my age were almost too old. But it never stopped me. I never stopped writing. I never stopped recording.
[asked about political ambitions] Don't you think we've had enough boobs in the White House?
(Referring to the Women's Lib movement of the 1960s) I was the first woman to burn my bra - it took the fire department four days to put it out!
It was never a marketing tool. People say that, but I dress this way for the same reasons I did when I first started doing it. It still comes from a serious place inside of me. I get up in the morning, and I think I just look better a certain way I do my makeup. I want to shine, I want to glitter. I'm not getting up thinking, 'Oh, this'll get 'em.' And I'm not doing it to make a statement. I'm just doing it to look like Dolly - the Dolly that I know and the Dolly that you know.
On plastic surgery: I'm a proud person. I'm not vain. I look at it like it is. If you've got the money and you're going to be out there, you owe it to people not to look like a dog if you can help it.
On writing a musical version of Nine to Five (1980) for Broadway: It's not like this is a job that I hope I do good at. It's a joy, and it's just my nature. And I've made it into something I can make money doing. And thank God for that. Because nobody can ever make enough money for as many poor relatives as I've got. Somebody's got a sick kid, or somebody needs an operation, somebody ain't got this, somebody ain't got that. Or to give the kids all a car when they graduate. Let them shine, let them do what they want to. And not just family - it's for a lot of other people to have their dreams, too. Going into a new business, you make a certain amount of money, build your name, build your brand, and it's prestigious, but it gives other people opportunities, too, even if it's not something I particularly want to do myself. I'm creating jobs. I'm like Barack Obama!
I want to be like one of those little fainting goats that get scared and then just fall over. I want to go and go and then drop dead in the middle of something I'm loving to do. And if that doesn't happen, if I wind up sitting in a wheelchair, at least I'll have my high heels on.
If I have one more face-lift I'll have a beard.
I'm a poor candidate for espionage.
I used to dream, when I would go to other people's shows and the artist had songs that people sang along with, 'How cool must that be?'. I've been working this "9 to 5" job for 30 years, so God only knows how many times on the road I've sung it. Thousands of times, for sure. But I don't get tired of it, really.
I think in a way, my music has been almost like my ministry. Hopefully, it's healing in some ways, just having a good sense of humor to be able to lift people up, to have songs that people can relate to.
[When speaking of Gay rights]: It's not a crusade for me, I just think everybody should stand up and I think it's really sad when people get crucified for standing up for what they believe in.
All these fine Christian-type people that seem to think they know what God wants for all of us, that's certainly more of a sin then anything they would claim about us. To judge people is one of the greatest sins.
People say how down-home I seem to be. I think of myself as a working girl, not a star or celebrity. I love my life, I would not bitch about it now. A lot of people do, but they don't deserve it, the fame or the money they make, when they are running away from their fans like that. There are some people who just absolutely hate fans. I just think they're not happy in their own lives.
I'm one of those people that if its something to eat I'm going to eat the whole thing, If I'm going to be in love I'm going to love you all the way and if my heart's broken, it's just shattered all to pieces.
I think my life actually changed at 40. That's when you realize you can't ride the fence anymore. You either have to get on one side or the other. I think some of my best years were between 40 and 50: I got my priorities straight and life is good to me now. It's only other people who say, "God, she's 50 years old!" as if I'm over the hill. I feel like I just started.
I always pattern my look after the town tramp. I swear to God that's true, but I can't give her name.
Mine is only one of millions of hearts broken over the death of Whitney Houston. I will always be grateful and in awe of the wonderful performance she did on my song and I can truly say from the bottom of my heart - Whitney, I will always love you. You will be missed
Date of Birth
19 January 1946, Sevierville, Tennessee, USA
Birth Name
Dolly Rebecca Parton
Nickname
The Smoky Mountain Songbird
The Iron Butterfly
The Queen of Country
The Backwoods Barbie
The Queen of Nashville
The Book Lady
The Leading Lady of Country
Aunt Granny
Height
4' 11" (1.50 m)
Mini Biography
Dolly Rebecca Parton was born on January 19, 1946, one of 12 children of Robert Lee Parton, a tobacco farmer, and Avie Lee Parton (née Owens). Dolly grew up on a run-down farm in Locust Ridge, Tennessee. At 12, she was appearing on Knoxville TV and, at 13, she was already recording on a small label and appearing at the Grand Ole Opry. After graduating from high school in Sevier County, Tennessee, in 1964, she moved to Nashville to launch her career as a country singer. She fell in love with Carl Dean, who ran an asphalt-paving business; they got married on May 30, 1966 (and they are still together). The next year, Dolly's singing caught the attention of Porter Wagoner. He hired Dolly to appear on his program, "The Porter Wagoner Show" (1960). Dolly stayed with the show for 7 years, their duets became famous, and she appeared with his group at the Grand Ole Opry; she also toured and sold records. By the time her hit "Joshua" reached #1 in 1970, her fame had overshadowed Porter's, and she struck out on her own, though still recording duets with him. She left him for good to become a solo artist in 1974. Dolly gained immense popularity as a singer/songwriter. Dolly won numerous Country Music Association awards (1968, 1970, 1971, 1975, 1976). This petite (5'0") beauty was a natural for television and, by the mid-1970s, Dolly was appearing frequently on TV specials and talk shows. Dolly then got her own show, aptly titled "Dolly" (1976). In 1977, Dolly got her first Grammy award: Best Female Country Vocal Performance, for her song "Here You Come Again". Dolly's movie debut was in Nine to Five (1980), where she got an Oscar nomination for writing the title tune, and also Grammy awards 2 and 3, Best Country Song, and Best Female Country Vocal Performance for the song "Nine to Five". Dolly got more fame for appearing in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982), and in Rhinestone (1984) with the song "Tennessee Homesick Blues". She is the head of Dolly Parton Enterprises, a $100 million media empire, and, in 1986, she founded Dollywood, a theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, celebrating her Smokey Mountain upbringing. She appeared as herself in the "Dolly" (1987) TV series. In 1988, she won another Grammy award: Best Country Performance Duo or Group with Vocals, for "Trio". Dolly was in the acclaimed picture Steel Magnolias (1989) with Julia Roberts, and went on to appear in 15 movies and TV-movies for the 1990s, and of course garnered more Country Music Association awards. In 2000, Dolly received her 5th Grammy award: Best Country Collaboration with Vocals. She also released a Bluegrass Album. Dolly is known for beautiful songs such as "Coat of Many Colors" and "Jolene" and "I Will Always Love You". Dolly said in an interview, "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".
IMDb Mini Biography By: kdhaisch@aol.com
Spouse
Carl Dean (30 May 1966 - present)
Trade Mark
Always uses butterflies as her logos, since she feels they represent beauty and freedom.
Her large bust
Platinum blonde hair
Trivia
One of 12 children; grew up in a 1-room cabin in Tennessee.
Owner/namesake of Smokey Mountain area theme park, "Dollywood", located in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, USA.
During the early 1990s, she filmed a series of sitcom pilots for CBS TV. Initially, in 1994, "Heavens To Betsy" was made, starring Dolly and Constance Shulman. Six episodes were completed. That sitcom was scrapped, and the story was re-vamped for the Movie of the Week, Unlikely Angel (1996) (TV). Following the television movie, she was to develop a sitcom where she would star as a "caterer to the stars". This program would have aired as "Mindin' My Own Business" (1996). However, the pilot was never broadcast.
When Drew Barrymore spoke about her film, Home Fries (1998), prior to its release, she revealed that her character was a huge fan of Dolly Parton. She said that several of Parton's songs would appear in the film, and that they spent a two-day shoot at Dollywood. When the film was finally released, the only reference to Dolly Parton was on the walls of Drew's bedroom, which are covered with posters and pictures of Dolly.
Reportedly has her breasts insured for $600,000.
Dolly's classic song "Jolene" was covered by Sherrié Austin (aka Sherrie Austin) on her third album "Followin' A Feelin". [2001]
Her late father Robert was one of 15 children, and her mother Avie (Owens) was one of 10 children.
The world's first cloned mammal, Dolly the sheep, was named after Parton.
Was a candidate for the hosting duties on "Family Feud" (1999) before Louie Anderson was hired.
Elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1999.
Sister-in-law of Richard Dennison.
Various tabloids have reported that her breast implants - which she has never disputed having - have increased her measurements to anywhere from 38CC to a high mark of 48DD
The children's television series "Sesame Street" (1969) introduced a character in homage to Dolly Parton. She had purple skin and blonde hair and went by the name of Polly Darton.
She and her husband, Carl Dean, raised five of her younger brothers and sisters.
Distant cousin of screenwriter Richard O'Sullivan.
Wears size 5 1/2 shoes.
Her song "Jolene" was also covered by Olivia Newton-John. Ms. Newton- John sang it at a taped concert in the Dee Events Center in Ogden, Utah.
Ranked #34 on VH1's Greatest Women of Rock N Roll
Her Oscar nominated song "9 To 5" from Nine to Five (1980) was ranked #78 while her song writing contribution, "I Will Always Love You", from The Bodyguard (1992) came in at #65 on The American Film Institute's list of AFI's 100 Years... 100 Songs: America's Greatest Music in the Movies (2004) (TV).
Her iconic hit song, "I Will Always Love You", was voted the No. 1 song on CMT 100 Greatest Love Songs of Country Music (2004) (TV).
Covered Collective Soul's "Shine." In her version she turns it into a bluegrass song instead of an alternative rock ballard.
Is partly of Irish decent.
Created her song Nine to Five, whilst on set of the film of the same name by tapping her nails.
She was unable to have children of her own because of an allergic reaction she experienced to birth control pills when she was younger.
Ranked #4 on the 40 Greatest Women in Country Music, #3 Loretta Lynn, #2 Tammy Wynette, and #1 Patsy Cline.
Her duet, Islands in the Stream, with fellow country singer Kenny Rogers was ranked the #1 duet of all time on CMT 100 greatest country duets of all time.
Was named 4th Sexiest Woman in CMT list of the 20 sexiest women in Country Music
Dolly Parton was awarded the National Medal of Arts in 2005.
Purchased her hometown radio stations in Sevierville, Tennessee in 1991. She owned and operated WSEV 930 AM and WDLY 105.5 FM, the FM station billed as 'Dolly's Station', until 2000 when she sold both radio stations. Stating at that time that she and her business partners had built up the audiences for both stations and could not take the stations to "the next level". Dolly first appeared on WSEV-AM when she as 10 years old. While owning the radio stations, WDLY-FM was broadcast every operating day from Dolly's Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. The small section of the park dedicated to the radio broadcast was known as 'Radio Square'.
In 2006 she was awarded the Lindy Boggs Award from The Stennis Center for Public Service. She becomes the first nonpolitical recipient.
In 1978 she became one of the few celebrities to have their own pinball machine. Manufactured by Bally Manufacturing Company. The "Dolly" pinball machine played Dolly's #1 single "Here You Come Again" while the pinball machine was active. This item is a highly sought after piece of Dolly Parton memorabilia.
Recorded the song "My Tennessee Hills" with folk icon Janis Ian for Ian's 2004 album "Billie's Bones".
In 1993 she was honored with the Country Music Association's very first "Country Music Honors" Award. As of 2009, she is still the sole recipient of this honor.
She has earned 5 BMI Million-Air (or more) Performance Awards and numerous BMI Songwriter Citations of Achievement. Her classic hit song "I Will Always Love You" is currently certified with a Six Million-Air award, meaning it has been played on radio and television over six million times. She was also honored with the prestigious BMI Icon Award in 2003.
In 1986 she was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.
In 1987 she was among the women honored by Ms. Magazine as "Woman of the Year".
A bronze sculpture of her sits on the courthouse lawn in Sevierville, Tennessee, USA. Sevierville is her hometown.
She has a star on Nashville's Starwalk for Grammy Award Winners. She also has a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame, which represents her accomplishments in the field of recording arts.
Inducted as a member of the Grand Ole Opry on February 4, 1969.
Among 120 celebrities and movie industry executives to receive invitations for membership into the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) on July 5, 2006. The Academy only allows for 30 new members each year, but in 2006 invited more people for membership in order to replace previous members who passed away or were retiring. Other celebrities receiving invitations include Jake Gyllenhaal, Werner Herzog, Felicity Huffman, Joaquin Phoenix, Terrence Howard, Heath Ledger, and Dakota Fanning.
Dolly, Steven Spielberg, Smokey Robinson, Andrew Lloyd Webber, and conductor Zubin Mehta were awarded Kennedy Center Honors in 2006.
There's a Dolly Parton look-alike contest in Gilley's bar in Urban Cowboy (1980).
Co-wrote the song "I Didn't Hear The Thunder (But I Sure Did Feel The Rain)" with late country legend Tammy Wynette.
Sang with Solomon Burke on his 2006 CD "Nashville". The two did a duet on the Dolly written track "Tomorrow is Forever". The song was originally recorded by Parton and Porter Wagoner in 1969 and reached #9 on Billboard's Hot Country Singles chart.
Became WIVK Radio's 2006 Americana Highway HEMI Award Hall of Fame Inductee during the 1st Annual HEMI Awards. Winners in all categories were announced September 24, 2006.
Sister of Willadeene Parton, Randy Parton and Stella Parton.
Her theme park 'Dollywood' in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee is the most popular tourist attraction in the state according to the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development.
In September 2002 she was named Tennessee's official ambassador for film and music by Gov. Don Sundquist. Her job is to promote the state to industry executives in Hollywood and raise awareness of Tennessee's capability to produce television, film, and recording projects (soundtracks) for Hollywood productions.
Lost a Dolly Parton Look-Alike Contest.
On December 31, 2006, Parton was named by the Tennessean newspaper as 2006 Tennessean of the Year for her work with children's literacy. The newspaper has been naming a Tennessean of the Year since 1994.
Dolly's 2007 greatest hits compilation album "The Very Best of Dolly Parton", released in Europe as part of the promotional campaign for her 2007 European Tour, debut at #9 on the U.K. Pop Chart. This becomes the first album in Dolly's career to break the top 10 Pop Albums Chart in the U.K. The CD also debuted at #1 on the U.K. Country Albums Chart.
Had such a miserable time during filming of Straight Talk (1992), that she effectively retired from big screen acting. All her work since has been television work or appearances as herself.
On March 25, 2007 she was entered into London's Wembley Square of Fame with the unveiling of a plaque of her handprints. The presentation was made before her sold-out concert that night at the Wembley Arena.
Selected by the Songwriters Hall of Fame as the 2007 recipient of the prestigious Johnny Mercer Award.
Awarded the Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award from the Academy of Country Music in 2007. This lifetime achievement award is presented to the pioneers of country music who have made lasting contributions to the genre.
Honored with a lifetime membership to Girl Scouts of Tanasi Council, a chapter of Girl Scouts of America, on June 15, 2007.
Inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2001. (not to be confused with the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame).
Godmother of Miley Cyrus.
On August 1, 2007 it was announced she would be starting her own record label, Dolly Records. She is the only artist signed to the label. This is Parton's second record label launch. In 1994 she and producer Steve Buckingham launched Blue Eye Records which Dolly was also the only artist on the roster. The Blue Eye Records imprint appeared on every Parton solo CD from 1994-2006. Dolly Records first release will be Parton's February 2008 CD, "Backwoods Barbie". Dolly personally finances her recordings and then leases the finished albums to other labels for distribution. For her Dolly Records label, she will also take on the responsibility of marketing her CD releases personally and major label partners will only handle distribution of the projects.
In November 2007 the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars of the Smithsonian Institution honored Dolly with the Woodrow Wilson Award for Public Service in recognition of her civic work in regard to children's literacy.
Her cousin is adult actress and model Julia Parton, formally known as Nina Alexander.
In 2006, she donated $500,000 to Fort Sanders Medical Center.
Met her future husband, Carl Dean, at a laundromat.
She was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Recording at 6712 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California.
In Poker, a hole card combination of a 9 and a 5 is called a "Dolly Parton", named after the song and movie, Nine to Five (1980).
Elected into the Gospel Music Association's Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2009.
In 2008 Parton was commissioned as a Kentucky Colonel. The highest honor given in the state of Kentucky [USA].
Elected into the Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame [Songwriter Category] in 2008.
In 2009 the University of Tennessee - Knoxville presented Parton with an Honorary Doctor of Humane and Musical Letters Degree. Parton was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Letters Degree from Carson-Newman College in 1990.
During the 40th Annual Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards in 2009, Parton won for Best Musical Score for "9 To 5: The Musical" which played the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles during in the fall of 2008.
She was nominated for a Tony Award (Best Score for a Musical) for her work on "9 To 5: The Musical" in 2009. She did not win the honor. The Tony was bestowed to the score writers of the Broadway musical "Next to Normal".
On August 9, 1995 Dolly Parton was awarded the Outstanding Service to Youth Award from the Tennessee District - Optimist International.
Inducted into the Music City Walk of Fame (Nashville, TN) in 2009.
Dolly was offered $7 million to play the role of "Selena" in Supergirl (1984), but turned it down because she felt she couldn't play a witch. The role was eventually filled by Faye Dunaway.
Received the Applause Award from the Tennessee Performing Arts Center in 2010.
Elected into the Country Gospel Hall of Fame in 2010.
Recepient of a 2010 Lifetime Achievement Grammy [December 23, 2010].
In December 2010, Parton released her first ever officially licensed calendar for the 2011 year.
In February 2011, Parton took part in "The Boot Campaign" by The Boot Girls. Parton posed in a photo campaign wearing a pair of sequin cargo pants and combat boots in order to support America's troops and families.
Starred in a TV commercial for Dolly Parton's Trinkets and Treasures retail store in Nashville, Tennessee (2010).
On January 9, 2012, Parton was interviewed by Queen Latifah as part of Cinemax's "60 Seconds With" program. The interview spot was done as part of the promotional campaign for the two's film 'Joyful Noise (2012)'.
Dolly recorded the song, "I Will Always Love You," which she also wrote, in 1974. Thereafter, she found out that Elvis Presley was interested in singing the song as a duet with her; however, there was one catch: She would have to give him 50% of the publishing royalties, as was his custom with any duet he sang. Since she had already published the song herself, it made no sense to her to give up those royalties. Thus, despite her intense desire to sing with "The King of Rock & Roll," she had to decline the request...which turned out to be a multi-million dollar decision after the song became a humongous hit when Whitney Houston sang the song in the movie "The Bodyguard" (1992) and the single sold over 24 million records worldwide.
Personal Quotes
I'm not offended by dumb blonde jokes because I know that I'm not dumb. I also know I'm not blonde.
I describe my look as a blend of mother goose, cinderella, and the local hooker!
It takes a lot of money to make a person look this cheap!
I like to buy clothes that are two sizes too small and then take them in a little.
I have little feet because nothing grows in the shade.
If you don't like the road you're walking, start paving another one.
I had to get rich so I could afford to sing like I was poor again.
There are plenty of charities for the homeless. Isn't it time somebody helped the homely?
"I don't know if I'm supporting them, or they're supporting me." (On her ample bosom)
(on the topic of her bust size) People always ask me if they're mine. Yes, they are...all bought and paid for.
(alluding to her famous bust) If I build another park, it will probably be in Silicon Valley.
"I do have big tits. Always had 'em - pushed 'em up, whacked 'em around. Why not make fun of 'em? I've made a fortune with 'em." (Source: as quoted in the book "The Humour of Sex" by Robert Hale)
If you want to see the rainbow you gotta put up with the rain.
There's a heart beneath the boobs and a brain beneath the wig.
After Momma gave birth to twelve of us kids, we put her up on a pedestal. It was mostly to keep Daddy away from her.
"I'm not sixty, I'm 'sexty'" commenting on her 2006 birthday milestone.
"I don't mind being it, I just don't like saying it" when asked about her sixtieth birthday.
If I see something saggin', baggin' or dragin', I'm gonna have it nipped, tucked or sucked. (Referring to Plastic Surgery)
I hope to die right in the middle of a song and right on the stage doing what I love to do. I hope to be about 120 when that happens. (Source: The Mountain Press)
"I wake up with new dreams every day. So the more I can do to channel that into things that I love to create is healthier for me and probably for everybody around me. And the older I get, the earlier I get up. The second my feet hit the floor, I'm awake. I'm like hurry, hurry. I just love life. And I feel like we ain't got but a certain amount of time anyway. I want to make the most of all of it." (Source: Reader's Digest - January 2006)
"He's a precious man. He's got a lot of bad press lately but I think he's out to try to save the world, not destroy it" (Commenting on Cat Stevens' (Yusuf Islam's) deportation from the United States in September 2004 (Source - "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" (1996) October 17, 2005).
I'm like a cartoon! I'll look this way when I'm eighty. I can see it now, people will be rolling me around in a wheelchair and I'll still have my big hair, nails, my high heels and my boobs stuck out!
Some of my dreams are so big they would scare you.
People don't realize that, you know, we have -- 'we' meaning people in show business have the same problems as everybody else. Money don't change that. Fame don't change that. Sometimes that brings on more problems. You know, it's just a -- different kind of problems. As they say, money ain't everything.
I have loved performing since I was big enough to wrestle my little brothers and sisters into sitting long enough for me to sing them my latest musical masterpiece. I just hope ya'll will come out and see this little girl from the hills of Tennessee walk out there on that big ole stage and make her dreams come true, don't make me wrestle you too 'cause I will if I have to!
I'm not like a real person. I love being artificial. I think there's a little magic in the fact that I'm so totally real, but look so artificial at the same time.
I'm just a singer/songwriter and entertainer and I miss people and the energy of the crowd. When I play live it's a lovefest with me and my audience. It's how I get my rocks off.
I'm a show-off basically...always have been.
I learned early on that I could get a lot of attention by singing and writing little songs, so it was like throwing nuts to a monkey...I just couldn't get enough.
I feel fortunate that I've had a lot of songs recorded by other people, because I take my songwriting very seriously. It's only those people that have followed me over the years and really know my work that know how serious I am about all of it - including the way I look. You can't take my high heels from me, you can't have my long fingernails, you can't take all this hair from me, because it's part of this thing that I've become. I wouldn't want to give any of it up. Do I have to be ugly to be a songwriter? This is the way I am, and it's what I choose to be.
I'll never harden my heart, but I've toughened the muscles around it.
If there's a heaven, I hope to hell I go!
I always love working with children. I never had children of my own. God has his purposes. God didn't let me have children so everybody's children could be mine. That's kind of how I'm looking at it.
I figure if I keep my health, I have no intention of retiring. I love to work. I want to be like Bob Hope. I want to keep on going out and doing what I love to do. Of course, I'm no Bob Hope, but I mean that feeling that you never are old and have things to offer and can be useful to somebody. I always want to be useful, I have no intentions of retiring unless I should get sick or something should happen to my husband. Other than that I'm going to work until I fall over.
My music is so mine, it's hard to turn it over to someone else. I have to be really involved in the production. It's like someone else taking care of your kids -- if they don't treat them well, you're going to be pissed off. I'm actually co-producing [Backwoods] with my guitar player of 20 years, Kent Wells. We make a good combination ... I think we're going to have a real good record.
I've never been the big recording star I'd love to be some day. I've had lots of hits off and on through the years but I've never had the success of other artists - one hit after another back-to-back-to-back and big hits, where every song is going to be number one. I'm not greedy or nothing. I just want everything. Is there something wrong with that?
It's when you treat people like freaks that you become one yourself.
Sure I'm in it for the money, but also because I love music. I picture myself in the future as a happy old lady, chubby, rosy cheeks, telling stories to the little kids. When I sit back in my rocker, I want to have done it all. [Time Magazine, April 18, 1977]
I was blessed to have family members who encouraged me to pursue my dreams. Whether it is your parents, or your uncles or your aunts or even the neighbor down the road, it's important that kids have someone who encourages them to chase their rainbow.
Sometimes you see folks who have a negative view of dreamers - people who sit around all day on their hindquarters and do absolutely nothing. These folks aren't dreamers - they are just lazy. To me, dreaming is just part of being alive, inspired, and curious about the world.
I feel blessed that I still have the little Dolly in my heart, I'm still the same girl that wants to squeeze every little drop out of life that I can.
To me, it's about dreaming in the day and in the night. Dreams have always helped me visualize my goals and aspirations. When I was a child, I could see me on stage singing my heart out. I could see what I was wearing and where I was going. I would visit that dream every single day and as I look back, my dreams kept me focused on what I wanted to do and the person I wanted to be.
I have always been a firm believer in working hard for what is right and for making your own breaks if you want things to change.
I'm on a seafood diet -- I see food, I eat it.
I enjoy the way I look, but it's a joke.
I never, ever get involved in politics. With politics you are not allowed to be honest. I don't have time to deal with that. I would rather work with kids.
Tammy Wynette, Loretta Lynn and myself were all in it [Country Music] about the same time. They got a little bit of a head start on me, certainly Loretta, but we were all three good friends and actually ended up doing an album together. But I think I was a little different from them. Loretta had a house full of kids and she wrote those being brought down by men songs. Hers were more about home life and all the women who had children and I totally love and respect her. Tammy could sing any number of things but she was also singing that Stand By Your Man. I was singing songs like Just Because I'm A Woman . . . my mistakes are no worse than yours just because I'm a woman. I think we all did our little thing. I just filled my spot.
I saw early on that I could make a business out of this [music business] because I wanted money, I wanted to travel, I wanted clothes, I wanted to be loved, I wanted to be staying in fine hotels. It wasn't to get away from what I was because I knew that would always be me. I've never been ashamed of my people. I love my people and I love my home.
When the new country came out ten to 15 years ago, people my age were almost too old. But it never stopped me. I never stopped writing. I never stopped recording.
[asked about political ambitions] Don't you think we've had enough boobs in the White House?
(Referring to the Women's Lib movement of the 1960s) I was the first woman to burn my bra - it took the fire department four days to put it out!
It was never a marketing tool. People say that, but I dress this way for the same reasons I did when I first started doing it. It still comes from a serious place inside of me. I get up in the morning, and I think I just look better a certain way I do my makeup. I want to shine, I want to glitter. I'm not getting up thinking, 'Oh, this'll get 'em.' And I'm not doing it to make a statement. I'm just doing it to look like Dolly - the Dolly that I know and the Dolly that you know.
On plastic surgery: I'm a proud person. I'm not vain. I look at it like it is. If you've got the money and you're going to be out there, you owe it to people not to look like a dog if you can help it.
On writing a musical version of Nine to Five (1980) for Broadway: It's not like this is a job that I hope I do good at. It's a joy, and it's just my nature. And I've made it into something I can make money doing. And thank God for that. Because nobody can ever make enough money for as many poor relatives as I've got. Somebody's got a sick kid, or somebody needs an operation, somebody ain't got this, somebody ain't got that. Or to give the kids all a car when they graduate. Let them shine, let them do what they want to. And not just family - it's for a lot of other people to have their dreams, too. Going into a new business, you make a certain amount of money, build your name, build your brand, and it's prestigious, but it gives other people opportunities, too, even if it's not something I particularly want to do myself. I'm creating jobs. I'm like Barack Obama!
I want to be like one of those little fainting goats that get scared and then just fall over. I want to go and go and then drop dead in the middle of something I'm loving to do. And if that doesn't happen, if I wind up sitting in a wheelchair, at least I'll have my high heels on.
If I have one more face-lift I'll have a beard.
I'm a poor candidate for espionage.
I used to dream, when I would go to other people's shows and the artist had songs that people sang along with, 'How cool must that be?'. I've been working this "9 to 5" job for 30 years, so God only knows how many times on the road I've sung it. Thousands of times, for sure. But I don't get tired of it, really.
I think in a way, my music has been almost like my ministry. Hopefully, it's healing in some ways, just having a good sense of humor to be able to lift people up, to have songs that people can relate to.
[When speaking of Gay rights]: It's not a crusade for me, I just think everybody should stand up and I think it's really sad when people get crucified for standing up for what they believe in.
All these fine Christian-type people that seem to think they know what God wants for all of us, that's certainly more of a sin then anything they would claim about us. To judge people is one of the greatest sins.
People say how down-home I seem to be. I think of myself as a working girl, not a star or celebrity. I love my life, I would not bitch about it now. A lot of people do, but they don't deserve it, the fame or the money they make, when they are running away from their fans like that. There are some people who just absolutely hate fans. I just think they're not happy in their own lives.
I'm one of those people that if its something to eat I'm going to eat the whole thing, If I'm going to be in love I'm going to love you all the way and if my heart's broken, it's just shattered all to pieces.
I think my life actually changed at 40. That's when you realize you can't ride the fence anymore. You either have to get on one side or the other. I think some of my best years were between 40 and 50: I got my priorities straight and life is good to me now. It's only other people who say, "God, she's 50 years old!" as if I'm over the hill. I feel like I just started.
I always pattern my look after the town tramp. I swear to God that's true, but I can't give her name.
Mine is only one of millions of hearts broken over the death of Whitney Houston. I will always be grateful and in awe of the wonderful performance she did on my song and I can truly say from the bottom of my heart - Whitney, I will always love you. You will be missed
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Dolly Parton -- Jolene
Dolly Parton - I Will Always Love You
Dolly Parton - He´s Alive (Full song)
Dolly Parton "Put A Little Love In Your Heart
Dolly Parton - I Will Always Love You
Dolly Parton - He´s Alive (Full song)
Dolly Parton "Put A Little Love In Your Heart
