Dolly Parton Biography
Dolly Rebecca Parton has had one of the longest careers in entertainment spanning over 50 years from 1959. She goes by the professional name Dolly Parton and her works in showbiz range from acting, singing, song writing, playing instruments to being an author and philanthropist. Parton was born on January 19 1946 in Smoky Mountains, Sevierville, Tennessee, USA to Robert Lee Parton and Avie Lee Parton, both deceased.
The Parton family lived a life lacking and seeing that Robert Lee Parton and Avie Lee Parton had sired twelve children it was extremely difficult to provide for all of the adequately. Living in a small shanty house and having to face ridicule from neighbours, young Parton found solace in singing and often she would take the stage at her local church and in other local events to entertain crowds.
Barely at the age of five then, Parton had already become a neighbourhood sensation and crowds would gather at her church just to listen to the soprano talent. Soon Parton’s performances were taken to live radio and television and by the time she turned nine she was among the most watched and listened to regulars. Her parents were however quick to insist that education had to come first for their daughter and if she was to venture further into the music career then school would have to come first.
Parton complied and after graduation from high school she was given a recording contract with Goldband Records, at only thirteen Parton was the youngest star under the label and she was also one of the best. In 1967 Parton’s debut studio album was released under the title Hello, I'm Dolly, this country production featured hit singles like ‘Dumb Blonde’, and ‘Something Fishy’. The album was very well received and Parton found instant fame and respect both as a singer and as a song writer.
The new singer did not take time and in 1968 she returned with another album titled Just Because I'm a Woman, this was to be followed by two more in the same year and these were named Just Between You and Me and Just the Two of Us. She finished the 60’s with three more albums titled In the Good Old Days, My Blue Ridge Mountain Boy, and Always, Always.
The 70’s would see Parton releasing more albums and these included As Long As I Love, The Fairest of Them All, A Real Live Dolly, My Favourite Songwriter: Porter Wagoner, My Tennessee Mountain Home, and Just the Way I Am.
More platinum and gold albums by Parton were Rhinestone, Think About Love, Rainbow, The Grass Is Blue, Live and Well, Those Were the Days, and For God and Country. Parton is still producing more albums and her latest went on air in 2011, this was titled Better Day.
This icon is a multi-instrumentalist and she is an accomplished guitar, banjo, harmonica, piano, drums, fiddle, and autoharp player. Parton is also talented with the Appalachian dulcimer and the pennywhistle. Her music is predominantly country although it does feature sounds of bluegrass and country pop.
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