Dolly Parton

  • Name: Dolly Parton
  • Date of Birth: January 19, 1946
  • Place of Birth: Sevierville, Tennessee, USA
Mini-bio: Dolly Rebecca Parton was born on January 19, 1946, one of 12 children of Robert Lee Parton, a tobacco farmer, and Avie Lee Parton (née Owens). Dolly grew up on a run-down farm in Locust Ridge, TN. At ...( read more)12, she was appearing on Knoxville TV and, at 13, she was already recording on a small label and appearing at the Grand Ole Opry. After graduating from high school in Sevier County, Tennessee, in 1964, she moved to Nashville to launch her career as a country singer. She fell in love with Carl Dean, who ran an asphalt-paving business; they got married on May 30, 1966 (and they are still together). The next year, Dolly's singing caught the attention of Porter Wagoner. He hired Dolly to appear on his program, "The Porter Wagoner Show" (1960). Dolly stayed with the show for 7 years, their duets became famous, and she appeared with his group at the Grand Ole Opry; she also toured and sold records. By the time her hit "Joshua" reached #1 in 1970, her fame had overshadowed Porter's, and she struck out on her own, though still recording duets with him. She left him for good to become a solo artist in 1974. Dolly gained immense popularity as a singer/songwriter. Dolly won numerous Country Music Association awards (1968, 1970, 1971, 1975, 1976). This petite (5'0") beauty was a natural for television and, by the mid-1970s, Dolly was appearing frequently on TV specials and talk shows. Dolly then got her own show, aptly titled "Dolly" (1976). In 1977, Dolly got her first Grammy award: Best Female Country Vocal Performance, for her song "Here You Come Again". Dolly's movie debut was in Nine to Five (1980), where she got an Oscar nomination for writing the title tune, and also Grammy awards 2 and 3, Best Country Song, and Best Female Country Vocal Performance for _"Nine to Five". Dolly got more fame for appearing in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982), and in Rhinestone (1984) with the song "Tennessee Homesick Blues". She is the head of Dolly Parton Enterprises, a $100 million media empire, and, in 1986, she founded Dollywood, a theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, celebrating her Smokey Mountain upbringing. She appeared as herself in the "Dolly" (1987) TV series. In 1988, she won another Grammy award: Best Country Performance Duo or Group with Vocals, for "Trio". Dolly was in the acclaimed picture Steel Magnolias (1989) with Julia Roberts, and went on to appear in 15 movies and TV-movies for the 1990s, and of course garnered more Country Music Association awards. In 2000, Dolly received her 5th Grammy award: Best Country Collaboration with Vocals. She also released a Bluegrass Album. Dolly is known for beautiful songs such as "Coat of Many Colors" and "Jolene" and "I Will Always Love You". Dolly said in an interview, "My music is what took me everywhere I've been and everywhere I will go. It's my greatest love. I can't abandon it. I'll always keep making records".

Spouse
Carl Dean (30 May 1966 - present)


Trade Mark
Always uses butterflies as her logos, since she feels they represent beauty and freedom.

Her enormous breasts.

Wigs



Trivia
One of 12 children; grew up in a 1-room cabin in Tennessee.

Owner/namesake of Smokey Mountain area theme park, "Dollywood", located in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, USA.

Since the early 90s, she has been trying to get CBS to run her sitcoms. Initially, in 1994, "Heavens To Betsy" was made, starring Dolly and Constance Shulman. That sitcom was scrapped, and the story was re-vamped for the Movie of the Week, Unlikely Angel. Last time she was in interview, she said her new sitcom had her cast as a "caterer to the stars."

When Drew Barrymore spoke about her film, Home Fries (1998), prior to its release, she revealed that her character was a huge fan of Dolly Parton. She said that several of Parton's songs would appear in the film, and that they spent a two-day shoot at Dollywood. When the film was finally released, the only reference to Dolly Parton was on the walls of Drew's bedroom, which are covered with posters and pictures of Dolly.

Reportedly has her breasts insured for $600,000.

Dolly's classic song "Jolene" was covered by 'Sherrie Austin' on her third album "Followin' A Feelin". [2001]

Her late father Robert was one of 15 children, and her mother Avie (Owens) was one of 10 children.

The world's first cloned mammal, Dolly the sheep, was named after Parton.

Was a candidate for the hosting duties on "Family Feud" (1999) before Louie Anderson was hired.

Elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1999.

Sister-in-law of Richard Dennison.

Various tabloids have reported that her breast implants - which she has never disputed having - have increased her measurements to anywhere from 38CC to a high mark of 48DD

The children's television series "Sesame Street" (1969) introduced a character in homage to Dolly Parton. She had purple skin and blonde hair and went by the name of Polly Darton.

She and her husband, Carl Dean, raised five of her younger brothers and sisters.

Distant cousin of screenwriter Richard O'Sullivan.

Wears size 5 1/2 shoes.

Measurements: 40DD-20-36 (definitive self-described figure in 1994), 48DD-25-38 (self-described in March 1993),42-19-34 (by her designer in 1990), 44-26-38 (in Italy's "Novella 2000" in 1985), salesperson at Frederick's Of Hollywood in 1985 confided she purchases black push-up bras in size 36DD, 42-26- 39 (reported in "Parade" Feb. 8, 1981), "The Book Of People" in 1981 reported 39- 25-39, 44-28 1/2-38 1/2 (reported in 1980), 46E-27-39 (at her heaviest 150#+ in late 1970s), 38-26-36 (according to the "Nashville Banner" in 1972), (Source: Celebrity Sleuth magazine)

Her song "Jolene" was also covered by Olivia Newton-John. Ms. Newton- John sang it at a taped concert in the Dee Events Center in Ogden, Utah.

Ranked #34 on VH1's Greatest Women of Rock N Roll

Her Oscar nominated song "9 To 5" from Nine to Five (1980) was ranked #78 while her song writing contribution, "I Will Always Love You", from The Bodyguard (1992) came in at #65 on The American Film Institute's list of AFI's 100 Years... 100 Songs (2004) (TV).

Her iconic hit song, "I Will Always Love You", was voted the No. 1 song on Country Music Television's '100 Greatest Love Songs of Country Music (2004) (TV)_ '.

Covered Collective Soul's "Shine." In her version she turns it into a bluegrass song instead of an alternative rock ballard.

Is partly of Irish decent.

Created her song Nine to Five, whilst on set of the film of the same name by tapping her nails.

She was unable to have children of her own because of an allergic reaction she experienced to birth control pills when she was younger.

Ranked #4 on the 40 Greatest Women in Country Music, #3 Loretta Lynn, #2 Tammy Wynette, and #1 Patsy Cline.

Her Duet Islands in the Stream with fellow country singer Kenny Rogers was ranked the #1 duet of all time on CMT 100 greatest country duets of all time.

Was named 4th Sexiest Woman in CMT list of the 20 sexiest women in Country Music

Dolly Parton was awarded the National Medal of Arts in 2005.

Purchased her hometown radio stations in Sevierville, Tennessee in 1991. She owned and operated WSEV 930 AM and WDLY 105.5 FM, the FM station billed as 'Dolly's Station', until 2000 when she sold both radio stations. Stating at that time that she and her business partners had built up the audiences for both stations and could not take the stations to "the next level". Dolly first appeared on WSEV-AM when she as 10 years old. While owning the radio stations, WDLY-FM was broadcast every operating day from Dolly's Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. The small section of the park dedicated to the radio broadcast was known as 'Radio Square'.

In 2006 she was awarded the Lindy Boggs Award from The Stennis Center for Public Service. She becomes the first nonpolitical recipient.

In 1978 she became one of the few celebrities to have their own pinball machine. Manufactured by Bally Manufacturing Company. The "Dolly" pinball machine played Dolly's #1 single "Here You Come Again" while the pinball machine was active. This item is a highly sought after piece of Dolly Parton memorabilia.

Recorded the song "My Tennessee Hills" with folk icon Janis Ian for Ian's 2004 album "Billie's Bones".

In 1993 she was honored with the Country Music Association's very first "Country Music Honors" Award. As of 2006, she is still the sole recipient of this honor.

She has earned 5 BMI Million-Air (or more) Performance Awards and numerous BMI Songwriter Citations of Achievement. Her classic hit song "I Will Always Love You" is currently certified with a Six Million-Air award, meaning it has been played on radio and television over six million times. She was also honored with the prestigious BMI Icon Award in 2003.

In 1986 she was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.

In 1987 she was among the women honored by Ms. Magazine as "Woman of the Year".

A bronze sculpture of her sits on the courthouse lawn in Sevierville, Tennessee, USA. Sevierville is her hometown.

She has a star on Nashville's Starwalk for Grammy Award Winners. She also has a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame, which represents her accomplishments in the field of recording arts.

Inducted as a member of the Grand Ole Opry on February 4, 1969.

Among 120 celebrities and movie industry executives to receive invitations for membership into the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) on July 5, 2006. The Academy only allows for 30 new members each year, but in 2006 invited more people for membership in order to replace previous members who passed away or were retiring. Other celebrities receiving invitations include Jake Gyllenhaal, Werner Herzog, Felicity Huffman, Joaquin Phoenix, Terrence Howard, Heath Ledger, and Dakota Fanning.

Dolly, Steven Spielberg, Smokey Robinson, Andrew Lloyd Webber, and conductor Zubin Mehta were awarded Kennedy Center Honors in 2006.

There's a Dolly Parton look-alike contest in Gelley's bar in _Urban Cowboy (1980)_ .

Co-wrote the song "I Didn't Hear The Thunder (But I Sure Did Feel The Rain)" with late country legend Tammy Wynette.

Sang with Solomon Burke on his 2006 CD "Nashville". The two did a duet on the Dolly written track "Tomorrow is Forever". The song was originally recorded by Parton and Porter Wagoner in 1969 and reached #9 on Billboard's Hot Country Singles chart.

Became WIVK Radio's 2006 Americana Highway HEMI Award Hall of Fame Inductee during the 1st Annual HEMI Awards. Winners in all categories were announced September 24, 2006.

Sister of Willadeene Parton.

Her theme park 'Dollywood' in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee is the most popular tourist attraction in the state according to the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development.

In September 2002 she was named Tennessee's official ambassador for film and music by Gov. Don Sundquist. Her job is to promote the state to industry executives in Hollywood and raise awareness of Tennessee's capability to produce television, film, and recording projects (soundtracks) for Hollywood productions.

Lost a Dolly Parton Look-Alike Contest.

On December 31, 2006, Parton was named by the Tennessean newspaper as 2006 Tennessean of the Year for her work with children's literacy. The newspaper has been naming a Tennessean of the Year since 1994.

Dolly's 2007 greatest hits compilation album "The Very Best of Dolly Parton", released in Europe as part of the promotional campaign for her 2007 European Tour, debut at #9 on the U.K. Pop Chart. This becomes the first album in Dolly's career to break the top 10 Pop Albums Chart in the U.K. The CD also debuted at #1 on the U.K. Country Albums Chart.

Had such a miserable time during filming of Straight Talk (1992), that she effectively retired from big screen acting. All her work since has been television work or appearances as herself.

On March 25, 2007 she was entered into London's Wembley Square of Fame with the unveiling of a plaque of her handprints. The presentation was made before her sold-out concert that night at the Wembley Arena.

Selected by the Songwriters Hall of Fame as the 2007 recipient of the prestigious Johnny Mercer Award.

Awarded the Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award from the Academy of Country Music in 2007. This lifetime achievement award is presented to the pioneers of country music who have made lasting contributions to the genre.

Honored with a lifetime membership to Girl Scouts of Tanasi Council, a chapter of Girl Scouts of America, on June 15, 2007.

Inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2001. (not to be confused with the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame).

Godmother of Miley Cyrus.

On August 1, 2007 it was announced she would be starting her own record label, Dolly Records. She is the only artist signed to the label. This is Parton's second record label launch. In 1994 she and producer Steve Buckingham launched Blue Eye Records which Dolly was also the only artist on the roster. The Blue Eye Records imprint appeared on every Parton solo CD from 1994-2006. Dolly Records first release will be Parton's February 2008 CD, "Backwoods Barbie". Dolly personally finances her recordings and then leases the finished albums to other labels for distribution. For her Dolly Records label, she will also take on the responsibility of marketing her CD releases personally and major label partners will only handle distribution of the projects.
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Mini Bio


Singer, songwriter, author and actress, Dolly Rebecca Parton was born in Locust Ridge, Sevier County,Tennessee to Robert Lee Parton (a tobacco farmer) and Avie Lee Parton (née Owens). Dolly grew up in a run down farm in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, she is the fourth eldest of 12 children. At an eary age, Dolly learned to escape the hardships of life through her vivid and far-ranging imagination. Before she learned to read and write, she was "making up" her own songs. She got her first guitar when she was 8 and began singing on a Knoxville, Tenn., radio station at age 11. That same year, she made her first recording on Gold Band Records, a tiny independent label. She made a name for herself locally while still in high school, but she dreamed of a bigger stage. In 1964 the day after she graduated high school she immediately moved to Nashville to launch a musical career.

Dolly fell in love with Carl Dean who ran a paving business, the couple married on May 30, 1966 at a small chapel in Ringold, Georgia and are still together to this day.

Her first charting records on Monument Records included "Dumb Blonde" and "Something Fishy," both in 1967. At about this time, Porter Wagoner was looking for a new "girl singer" for his syndicated television show. Dolly accepted the job in 1967, signed with RCA Records in 1968 and joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1969. However, she left Wagoner's show in 1974, because her solo releases were out-charting their collaborations. After their split, Dolly wrote the song "I Will Always Love You" for Wagoner, and it reached No. 1 for the first time in 1974.

As a solo artist, Dolly garnered the CMA's female vocalist award in 1975 and 1976 and won the entertainer trophy in 1978. Still, her TV variety series lasted only one season, in 1976. Her musical style grew closer to pop music, but fans responded as "Here You Come Again" spent five weeks at No. 1 in 1978. She also grew more interested in movies, starring in 1980's 9 to 5 for which the title song earned her an Oscar nomination, and 1982's Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. Taken from the Whorehouse soundtrack, "I Will Always Love You" reached No. 1 again in 1982. A Bee Gees-written duet with Kenny Rogers, "Islands in the Stream," topped the country charts in 1983.

Dolly returned to her acoustic roots when she recorded the 1987 landmark album Trio with Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt. Four of its singles reached the Top 10, and "To Know Him Is To Love Him" reached No. 1. After signing with Columbia Records, she returned to No. 1 as a solo artist in 1989 with "Why'd You Come in Here Lookin' Like That." That same year, she starred in the hit movie Steel Magnolias with Olympia Dukakis, Daryl Hannah, Sally Field, Shirley MacLaine and Julia Roberts.

Dolly's greatest commercial fortune of the 90s, and probably of all-time, came when Whitney Houston recorded "I Will Always Love You" for The Bodyguard soundtrack, and both the single and the album were massively successful. In 1993, she recorded the album Honky Tonk Angels with Loretta Lynn and Tammy Wynette.Dolly re-recorded "I Will Always Love You" with Vince Gill, and they won a CMA award for vocal event in 1996. Taken from the album Trio II, a cover of "After the Gold Rush" won a Grammy for best country collaboration with vocals in 1999, and Dolly was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame later that year.

However, she was frustrated by her fruitless attempts to secure a solo hit single during this decade. Instead, she teamed with respected independent label Sugar Hill Records and offered the back-to-basics acoustic album The Grass Is Blue in 1999. An instant favorite among critics and longtime fans, it won the International Bluegrass Music Association's album of the year and a Grammy for best bluegrass album. She followed it with Little Sparrow in 2001 and Halos & Horns in 2002. The patriotic For God and CountryLive and Well a year later.

In 2006, Dolly earned her second Oscar nomination for "Travelin' Thru," which she wrote specifically for the film Transamerica. She also returned to No. 1 on the country charts lending her distinctive harmonies to the Brad Paisley ballad, "When I Get Where I'm Going," and appeared in 2003 and was followed by the CD and DVD was honored by the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts for her lifetime of contributions to the arts in December that same year. In June 2007 Dolly was named the recipient of the prestigious Johnny Mercer Award from the Songwriter's Hall of Fame. In 2008, Dolly released her album Backwoods Barbie which reached number 2 in the US country chart and independent chart, it was also the first album released on her on label 'Dolly Records'.

In 1985 Dolly opened the Dollywood theme park, to this day it remains among the most popular vacation destinations in the South. She has also donated more than 1 million books to pre-school children across the United States with her non-profit Dollywood foundation Imagination Library (earning her the nickname 'The Book Lady') and provides scholarships to high school students in Sevier County, Tennessee. In return, the county honored her with a life-size bronze statue in front of the courthouse. Dolly regards this as her "greatest honor, because it came from the people who know me."


Vital StatsVital Stats
Dolly Parton Information		Vital Stats


Full name:
Dolly Rebecca Parton
Height:
5' (152 cm)
although Dolly says she can reach, "5' 1", 5' 2" if I'm standing up straight on a good day."
Hair:
Blonde
Eyes:
Blue-Green
Nicknames:
    • The Iron Butterfly
    • The Backwoods Barbie
    • The Smoky Mountain Songbird
    • The Queen of Country
    • The Book Lady
    • The Leading Lady of Country
Dolly has also nicknamed her boobs 'Shock' and 'Awe'
DP: "They have served me well, I don't know if Im supporting them or they're supporting me. - I've always had nice ones. But of course I've had them jacked up a bit!"
Notable features:
Big boobs, big hair/wigs
Trademark:
Butterfly: Dolly has always used the free spirited butterfly as her logo, as she feels they represent freedom and beauty
Star sign:
Western - Capricorn
Chinese - Rooster
Nationality:
American
Family:
Father: Robert Lee Parton
Mother: Avie Lee Caroline (née Owens) Parton
Sisters:
  • Freida Estelle Parton (twin sister of Floyd)
  • Willadeene Parton
  • Stella Mae Parton
  • Cassie Nan Parton
  • Rachel Ann (née Parton) Dennison
Brothers:
  • Floyd Estelle Parton (twin brother of Freida)
  • David Wilburn Parton
  • Robert Lee "Bobby" Parton
  • Denver Parton
  • Randel Huston "Randy" Parton Jr.
  • Larry Garrold Parton (died at birth)
Husband: Carl Thomas Dean
Education:
Sevier County High School, Sevierville, TN, USA
Resides in:
Willow Lake Plantation, Brentwood, TN, USA
Nashville, TN, USA
Smoky Mountains, Sevier County, TN, USA
Los Angeles, CA, USA (including a Malibu beach home)
New York City, NY, USA (apartment)
an apartment on the grounds at Dollywood
Religious affiliation:
Dolly was raised Pentecostal
Although she has never spoken publicly about her commitment to any one faith, she professes to be a Christian. But Dolly says she's not a very "religious" person, she's more "spiritual."
Political affiliation:
On most issues Dolly refuses to discuss politics. She says she's "more patriotic than political."
Interests/Hobbies:

Charities/Causes:



Trivia



Links
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Last update: Nov 5 2009, 4:56 PM EST by JennifairyW (content history | content tools) (help)
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  • hm2008love
    hm2008love
    hallo
    have nice day . from kuwait. .....
    i like to meet you some thime this is my dream.
    take care . by
    posted 12 days ago
  • charlesharvey2002
    charlesharvey2002
    Hi am a jamaican i would like to meet u
    Charles from Kingston
    posted 119 days ago
  • BoomerHot
    BoomerHot
    Dolly Parton Fans will be interested to know that Dolly is on the Boomer Hot 100 Female list. Would you help us in letting her fans know, so they can support Dolly by voting for her to be the Number One Boomer Hot Woman? She is the epitome of being fabulously 'Boomer Hot.'

    They can vote at http://boomerhot.art.officelive.com/default.aspx

    Our definition of Boomer Hot: The whole package—smart, charismatic, successful, happy, a sense of humor, beauty—inner and outer, have an opinion, creating something bigger than themselves, and living life full throttle.

    Also, check out the slide shows of each Boomer Hot Man and Woman to see how Boomer Hot they are. Enjoy the show and the music.
    We're rooting for Dolly!

    Blessings,
    Sara Dawn Schneider
    PR Coordinator
    Living Life…Boomer Style Magazine

    www.LivingLifeBoomerStyle.com
    www.LivingLifeBoomerStyle.net
    www.LivingLifeBoomerStyle.mobi
    BoomerHot@yahoo.com
    posted 429 days ago
  • LoneWolf01a
    LoneWolf01a
    Hey Aunt Dolly
    can you Please plz plz plz plz plz add me & ashley to your friends & family list here on Flixter
    Rosa
    posted 523 days ago
  • rosiecozie225
    rosiecozie225
    I luved u in hannah montana
    posted 576 days ago
  • MellowCool14
    MellowCool14
    I loved you in 9 to 5 . Please add me to your fan club.
    posted 581 days ago
  • gih3
    gih3
    Dolly, your are still hot.
    Loved you in the Hillbilles movie.
    I love Chattanooga and Piegon Forge...
    posted 611 days ago
  • angelmoon13
    angelmoon13
    Dolly u r so pretty. I love your accent. Can u be my freind? Stay cool!
    posted 688 days ago
  • jcashsanquentin
    jcashsanquentin
    Hey there Miss Dolly Parton my name is Daniel Mortensen and i live in Australia i love your music and films and my grandma is a really big fan of yours her name is Gwen Mortensen but 4 years ago my grandfather died of old age hey was only 70 and i wish you can come to Australia and play some of your music

    Lots of love and care
    Daniel Mortensen
    posted 729 days ago
  • Summer08Babyy
    Summer08Babyy
    hey wat are you up 2? i love you so much!!
    posted 830 days ago
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  • Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin and Dolly Parton acted in this comedy movie in 1980...  Answer »
  • Who was the main actress in Best Little Whore House in Texas  Answer »
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