Dolly Parton

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

Early Career

Parton's initial success came as a songwriter, with her songs being covered by Kitty Wells, Hank Williams, Jr., Skeeter Davis, and a number of others. In 1966 country star Bill Phillips recorded her song "Put it Off Until Tomorrow" (on which Parton provided uncredited harmony vocals); it reached number 6 on the country charts, and earned Parton a good deal of notice. She signed with Monument Records in late 1964, where she recorded a series of singles that failed to chart, before finally having a hit with "Dumb Blonde" (one of the few songs she recorded during this period that she herself did not write), which reached the country top 20 in 1967.

Related Topics:
Kitty Wells - Hank Williams, Jr. - Skeeter Davis - 1966 - Monument Records - 1964 - 1967

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That same year, Parton was asked to join the weekly syndicated country music TV program hosted by Porter Wagoner, with whom she became half of a highly successful duet team. She also signed with RCA Records, Wagoner's label, during this period, where she would remain for the next two decades. Their first single together, a cover of Tom Paxton's "The Last Thing on My Mind," reached the top ten on the U.S. country charts in late 1967, and was the first of over a dozen duet singles to chart for them during the next several years.

Related Topics:
Porter Wagoner - RCA Records - Tom Paxton - The Last Thing on My Mind - U.S. - Charts

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Parton is a hugely successful songwriter, having begun by writing country songs with strong elements of folk music in them based upon her upbringing in humble mountain surroundings. Her songs "Coat of Many Colors" and "Jolene" have become classics in the field, as have a number of others.

Related Topics:
Folk music - Coat of Many Colors - Jolene

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She stayed with the Wagoner show and continued to record duets with him for seven years, then made a break to become a solo artist. In 1974, her song "I Will Always Love You" was released and went to #1 on the country charts, though the single did not "crossover" to the pop charts (as "Jolene" had done). Around the same time, Elvis Presley indicated that he wanted to cover the song. Parton was interested until Presley's manager, Colonel Tom Parker, told her that she would have to sign over half of the publishing rights if Elvis recorded the song (as was the standard procedure for songs Elvis recorded). Parton refused and that decision is credited with helping make her many millions of dollars in royalties from the song over the years.

Related Topics:
1974 - I Will Always Love You - Elvis Presley - Colonel Tom Parker

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During the mid-1970s, Dolly had her eyes set on expanding her audience base. The first step towards meeting this goal was her attempt a variety show, Dolly. The show lasted merely one season, with Dolly asking out of her contract due to the stress it was causing her vocal chords.

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