Dolly Parton

Dolly Parton (born January 19, 1946) is an American country singer, songwriter, composer and actress.

Background

She was born Dolly Rebecca Parton in Sevierville, Tennessee, the fourth of twelve children born to Robert Lee Parton and Avie Lee Owens, and grew up "dirt poor" in a one-room cabin, also described as a "run-down farm" near Locust Ridge. Her siblings are Willadeene Parton, David Parton, Denver Parton, Bobby Parton, Stella Parton (a singer), Cassie Parton, Larry Parton, Randy Parton, twins Floyd Parton and Freida Parton, and Rachel Dennison (an actress).

Related Topics:
Sevierville - Tennessee - Stella Parton - Rachel Dennison

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Dolly was raised Assembly of God, a Pentecostal denomination, and music was a very large part of her church experience. She once told an interviewer that her grandfather was a Pentecostal "Holy Roller" preacher and today, when appearing in live concerts in the South, she frequently performs the "Holy Roller" song "Go To Hell." Parton, however, professes no denomination, claiming to be only Christian while adding that she believes everyone on the planet are God's children.

Related Topics:
Assembly of God - Pentecostal - Denomination - Holy Roller - South - Christian

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She began her entertainment career as a child, singing on local radio and television in East Tennessee. At age 12 she was appearing on Knoxville TV, and at 13 she was recording on a small label and appearing at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. When she graduated from high school in 1964 she moved to Nashville, taking many traditional folkloric elements and popular music from East Tennessee with her.

Related Topics:
Career - Radio - Television - East Tennessee - Knoxville - Label - Grand Ole Opry - Nashville - 1964

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On May 30, 1966, at the age of 20, she married Carl Dean, who ran an asphalt-paving business, in Ringgold, Georgia. She has remained with Dean, who has always shunned publicity and stayed in the background to an extraordinary degree, refusing to accompany his wife to almost every public appearance she has made since their marriage.

Related Topics:
May 30 - 1966 - Ringgold, Georgia

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