Summary

Dolly Parton, a beloved American icon, continues to captivate audiences with her music, storytelling, and entrepreneurial spirit at 73.

Abstract

Dolly Parton, born on January 19, 1946, is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and entrepreneur who has had a profound impact on the entertainment industry. Known for her distinctive voice and style, Parton has released over 3,000 songs and sold 100 million albums. She is celebrated for her ability to tell stories through her music, drawing inspiration from her humble beginnings in the hills of Tennessee. Parton's career has spanned over five decades, during which she has achieved success in various mediums, including music, film, television, and even theme parks. Her enduring popularity can be attributed to her authenticity, humor, and relentless pursuit of her dreams.

Bullet points

Dolly Parton was born on January 19, 1946, and has been a prominent figure in the entertainment industry for over five decades.
She has released over 3,000 songs and sold 100 million albums, making her one of the most successful artists in history.
Parton is known for her ability to tell stories through her music, drawing inspiration from her humble beginnings in the hills of Tennessee.
Her most famous song, "Coat of Many Colors," tells the story of a poor child who receives a homemade coat made with love by her mother.
Parton's career has spanned various mediums, including music, film, television, and theme parks.
She is celebrated for her authenticity, humor, and relentless pursuit of her dreams.
Parton's enduring popularity can be attributed to her ability to connect with audiences on a personal level and her refusal to settle for anything less than her full potential.
She continues to inspire and entertain audiences with her music, storytelling, and entrepreneurial spirit.

Why Dolly Parton Matters

At 73, Dolly Parton is still hot. Her stories (songs) are a Netflix series and a new SiriusXM channel. “9 to 5” is returning. She’s one of the few things Americans still agree on (we love her).

Dolly Parton in 1977. Courtesy Wikimedia Commons.

I was born on her 19th birthday so Dolly Parton has always hovered in the background. Pure America, she looks fake but is totally real and true.

Jimmy Fallon today (like Johnny Carson 42 years ago) gushed over Dolly Parton. The fourth of 12 children has done more than 3,000 songs, selling 100 million albums.

She’s called herself “a cartoon character that I created.’’ Songs are just stories put to music…the melody of my memories, it’s the sound of my heartstrings… The songs that stand the test of time are the ones written from the heart.’’

“It is true that I look artificial but I believe that I’m totally real,’’ she tells CBS after a snippet of her song, “I’m just a backwoods Barbie in a pushup bra and heels… Don’t be fooled by thinking the goods are not all there.’’

“I try to make the most of everything,’’ she says — and does

She touches us still because she’s never forgotten she’s a country girl from dirt poor roots in the hills of Tennessee. Her favorite song is a “Coat of Many Colors’’ about a poor kid who got a home made coat made by her mama with love.

Only Walt Disney and Parton have theme parks named after them. Dollywood is a shrine to Southern culture. She’s always looking for ways to leverage her work and other assets.

From country singing to feminist icon to films to Broadway to SiriusXM to podcasts to Netflix.

“I look like a woman but I think like a man,’’ she told “60 Minutes’’ a decade ago, adding that she’d never run for president because there have been enough boobs in the White House.

After a 50 year career, people still gush over her and her humor. The stories are so good, she figured many could become little films unto themselves. Netflix bought it. Feminists marvel at how she never settled for what she had but always pushed for more.

And what’s more American than always wanting more?

“That wasn’t my dream — that wasn’t God’s calling for me,’’ she said of her decision to leave Porter Wagoner’s TV show for her own place in the spotlight. “I felt that I had to go out and do other things. So I fought for it and I still fight for it like we all do… I knew that was my destiny to just get out and do whatever I could with my talent.’’

How did she know, NBC asked. Parton explains:

“I just always had a feeling in my heart — I grew up very spiritual and I always had a good connection with God… I just asked Him every day, as I still do, to lead me, guide me and to show me, you know, where to go and I just kind of follow that feeling in my heart and I just knew I was meant to do more.’’

She wrote her first song at age 5 and sees and hears the songs everywhere and in everything. “Everything’s a song to me,’’ she adds.

“It’s in my head — It comes to me,’’ she told NBC. “When you’re a writer and a creative person… I make music out of everything. If I hear sounds or don’t hear sounds I hear it in my head anyway.’’

Two of Dolly Parton’s most important songs, “I Will Always Love You’’ and “Jolene’’ were written at the same time. In 1992, Whitney Houston took that first song even further. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.