It was in her childhood that Parton started writing music, a talent that she frequently credited her mother’s side of the family for. She eventually finished school, left home and headed for Nashville, with childhood beginnings that found her with one of the most prolific songwriting careers in popular music. In 1967, her debut album ‘Hello, I’m Dolly’ was released and she joined ‘The Porter Wagoner Show’, working alongside Porter Wagoner. After the release of her debut, in 1969, Parton achieved her lifelong dream of becoming a member of The Grand Ole Opry, country music’s biggest stage.
From her music came the enormous hair, the gorgeous sparkly dresses, an incredible distinct voice and her ability to tell a story. She wrote songs as devastating as ‘I Will Always Love You’, but then at the same time turned jealousy into one of country music’s biggest classics with ‘Jolene’. She could transform her upbringing of childhood poverty into musical art with ‘Coat Of Many Colors’, and somehow write ‘9 To 5’, the theme song for her acting debut, to give frustrated working women everywhere a soundtrack. In 1974, the year ‘Jolene’ reached number one, Parton parted ways with Wagoner to focus on her solo career, with ‘I Will Always Love You’ inspired by this departure.
Her music was special because it resonated with many. These were real stories from her life experiences and she had the rare ability of making her songs feel universal.
Whilst music was a prime part of her life and career, Parton had more to give. In 1986, she opened her Appalachian-themed amusement park Dollywood, building her business empire, crediting her father for her business approach. It wasn’t long after this that she returned back to her acting career, starring as Truvy Jones in the film ensemble ‘Steel Magnolias’ in 1989.
One of her most meaningful projects was the launch of her programme Imagination Library in 1995, which provided books to children and eventually becoming global. She also credited her father as an inspiration for the programme, as he had never learned to read or write. What started in her home county went on to be international, with millions of free books being sent out to children all over the world.
With her second album ‘Just Because I’m A Woman’ and dozens more releases, including ‘My Tennessee Mountain Home’ and ‘Here You Come Again’, the year 1999 was where she returned to her traditional roots with the critically acclaimed album ‘The Grass Is Blue’. In 2003, she released ‘For God and Country’ and a year later, received the Living Legend Medal from the Library of Congress.
Although Parton’s career was so widespread, behind it all, she was a songwriter. The girl who grew up in rural Tennessee became one of the world’s most recognised entertainers selling more than 100 million records and earning recognition not just in country music, but in pop and film too. The amazing career she had eventually included her being inducted to both the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Her work in both music and film led her to earn nominations from all four American entertainment awards – the Emmy, Grammy, Academy Award and Tony – with her Tony nomination stemming from her work writing the music and lyrics for 9 to 5: The Musical.
The 2023 album ‘Rockstar’ would go on to become her last solo album before her heartbreaking death on 25 August, 2026.
The image of Dolly Parton can sometimes become so large with being such a multi-career superstar, but it’s impossible to forget the musician at heart. Parton herself was always clear about what mattered most. The wigs changed, Dollywood can continue to thrive and her projects can continue to grow, but her songs and discography are permanent. They’re forever.
For generations to come, people will hear Dolly Parton’s voice, as well as the songs that centred so heavily around her poor upbringing, love and life experiences, and realise that there is nothing wrong with dreaming bigger than where you came from.
And that may be the greatest legacy of all.
Neve Pomfrey
Image: ‘Jolene’ Official Album Cover