Dolly Parton
Induction Year: 1986
Birth Name: Dolly Rebecca Parton
Birth Date: January 19, 1946
Place of Birth: Locust Ridge, TN
Biography
"I feel like anybody can sing, but not everybody can write. My songs tell how I feel. I get more out of writing than singing. My writing is personal to me. It's my self-expression. It's me. I want to be remembered as a good songwriter and stylist and as a person who added something to this world. If I had to choose, I guess a lot of people can sing better than me. I'd choose being remembered as a songwriter, because my writing is something I take great pride in. Like I say, that's totally me. " Dolly Parton
Education:
Grade School--Evans Chapel Pittman Center Catons Chapel
High School--Sevier County High School (from 1959 to 1964)
Discography / Career Highlights
Career Milestones:
1953--started writing songs and playing mandolin
1954--got her first guitar
1956--first public performance at Pines Theater in Sevierville
1956--started appearing on weekly radio show (paid $20/week)
1956--began singing on Knoxville radio (WIVK) and television (The Cas Walker Show)
1956--made first "record" on Gold Band Records, "Puppy Love" (written by Dolly and her uncle, Bill Owens)
1959--first appearance on the Grand Ole Opry (introduced by Johnny Cash)
1960--signed as a writer with Tree International Publishing Company in Nashville
1961--signed a recording contract with Mercury Records
1962--first Mercury single released, "It's Sure Gonna Hurt" and "The Love You Gave" (B side)
1964--came to Nashville after graduating from high school
1964--signed with Monument Records and Combine Music (Monument's publishing arm)
1966--single "Put It Off Until Tomorrow" (recorded by Bill Phillips) hit the top ten country charts; Parton's harmony on the record caught many disc jockeys' attention
1967--first real hit as performer "Dumb Blonde"
1967--became featured female singer on "The Porter Wagoner Show"
1967--signed with RCA Records in October
1967--first appearance on the Grand Ole Opry with Porter Wagoner
1967--started publishing company with Bill Owens, Owepar Publishing
1968--first duet with Porter Wagoner, "Just Between You and Me"
1969--became member of the Grand Ole Opry on January 4
1973--first #1 single, "Jolene"
1974--left Porter Wagoner show to try solo career
1976--premiere in September of "Dolly!", a syndicated television show
1977--appeared on "The Tonight Show" for the first time in January
1987--established Dollywood theme park
1988--established the Dollywood Foundation for continuing education
Awards:
1968--CMA\Vocal Group of the Year\with Porter Wagoner
1968--TNN\Music City News\Most Promising Female Artist
1968--TNN\Music City News\Best Vocal Duet\with Porter Wagoner
1969--TNN\Music City News\Best Vocal Duet\with Porter Wagoner
1970--TNN\Music City News\Best Vocal Duet\with Porter Wagoner
1970--CMA\Vocal Duo of the Year\with Porter Wagoner
1971--CMA\Vocal Duo of the Year\with Porter Wagoner
1975--CMA\Female Vocalist of the Year
1975--Record World\Top Female Vocalist
1975--Cashbox\Top Female Vocalist
1975--Billboard\Female Vocalist of the Year
1975--BMI\Country Citations of Achievement\I Will Always Love You\Kentucky Gambler\Love Is Like a Butterfly\Please Don't Stop Loving Me
1976--CMA\Female Vocalist of the Year
1977--Academy of Country Music\Entertainer of the Year
1978--American Music Awards\Favorite Country Album\New Harvest...First Gathering
1978--CMA\Entertainer of the Year
1978--Grammy\Best Female Country Vocal Performance\Here You Come Again
1980--People's Choice Award\Female Performer in a new TV program\Dolly
1980--People's Choice Award\All-Around Female Entertainer
1980--Academy of Country Music\Female Entertainer of the Year
1980--Academy of Country Music\Single of the Year\Islands in the Stream
1981--Grammy\Best Female Country Vocal Performance\9 to 5
1981--Grammy\Best Country Song\9 to 5
1983--Academy of Country Music\Vocal Duet of the Year\with Kenny Rogers
1984--TNN\Music City News\Best Vocal Duet\with Kenny Rogers
1984--American Music Awards\Favorite Country Single\Islands in the Stream
1985--American Music Awards\Favorite Country Single\Islands in the Stream
1987--Grammy\Best Country Performance Duo or Group\9 to 5
1987--Academy of Country Music\Album of the Year\Trio
1988--TNN\Music City News\Best Vocal Collaboration\Trio
1988--CMA\Vocal Event of the Year\Trio
1992--American Academy of Achievement\Gold Plate Award
1992--American Academy of Achievement\Inducted into new Museum of Living History
1993--CMA\First Country Music Honors recipient
1994--TNN\Music City News\Living Legend Award
1994--TNN\Music City News\Minnie Pearl Award
Catalog Highlights:
"Jolene" - Artists: Dolly Parton (1973)
"I Will Always Love You" - Artists: Dolly Parton (1974), Whitney Houston, Dolly Parton and Vince Gill
"Love is Like a Butterfly" - Artists: Dolly Parton (1974)
"The Bargain Store" - Artists: Dolly Parton (1975)
"9 to 5" - Artists: Dolly Parton (1980)
"Coat of Many Colors" - Artists: Dolly Parton
"Please Don't Stop Loving Me" - Co-writer: Porter Wagoner, Artists: Dolly Parton (1974)
"It's All Wrong But It's Alright" - Artists: Dolly Parton (1978)
"Baby I'm Burning" - Artists: Dolly Parton (1978)
"Tennessee Homesick Blues" - Artists: Dolly Parton (1984)
"Yellow Roses" - Artists: Dolly Parton (1989)
Comments:
Appeared in the following films: "9 to 5," "Best Little Whorehouse in Texas," "Rhinestone," "Wild Texas Wind," "Steel Magnolias," "Straight Talk"
Has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a star on the Nashville Star Walk for Grammy winners, and a bronze sculpture on the courthouse lawn in Sevier Country, TN