Dolly parton images biography timeline
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On the night of her performance, Johnny Cash introduced the young Parton and, after singing George Jones' song "You Gotta Be My Baby," she received three encores, the Library of Congress reported.
Parton was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry 10 years later in 1969, and in 2019, the TV special "Dolly Parton: 50 Years at the Opry" — though it had actually been 60 years — aired on NBC, honoring her first performance at the famed Opry House.
In a 2019 interview with Variety about the TV special, Parton reminisced about how informative those early days at the Opry were.
"I just have so many memories, even as a child watching the people backstage and just standing out there on that stage where all the great people stood, just thinking maybe some day I could be part of them," Parton said.
"Now that I've been lucky enough and fortunate enough to see that dream come true, I wonder if some little kid might say 'I bet Dolly Parton once stood here' or 'I'm standing where Dolly Parton stood.'"
From 1962 to 1966, Parton and her uncle had mixed success writing and recording songs.
The duo was signed to Tree Publishing and Mercury Records in Nashville in 1962 and recorded the songs "It's Sure Gonna Hurt" and "The Love You Gave."
The songs didn't make the charts, and the label dropped Parton and Owens, according to the Library of Congress.
Despite this, Parton has said it was magical hearing herself on the radio.
"I will never forget hearing [myself] on a Knoxville station, WIVK," she said.
My mother made me a little white dress and a little bouquet and a little Bible. "We went across the state line to Ringgold, Georgia. "There I was, actually hearing myself sing, not on a tape or studio monitor but on a real radio station that thousands of people were listening to… at that very moment.
"I was so proud I walked around for days with my chest all stuck out," she said.
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The word "icon" was practically made for Dolly Parton. 29, 2025Updated Nov. 17, 2025, 1:49 p.m. Pictures’ “Joyful Noise” at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre on Jan. 9, 2012 in Hollywood.
Dolly Parton Through the Years: 2011
Dolly Parton speaks onstage at the 22nd Annual GLAAD Media Awards at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel on April 10, 2011 in Los Angeles.
Dolly Parton Through the Years: 2010
Dolly Parton performs onstage at the 2010 We’re All For The Hall benefit concert at the Bridgestone Arena on Oct.
5, 2010 in Nashville, Tenn.
Dolly Parton Through the Years: 2009
Dolly Parton attends the 2009 Tony Awards Meet the Nominees press reception at The Millennium Broadway Hotel on May 6, 2009 in New York City.
Dolly Parton Through the Years: 2008
Dolly Parton attends the “9 to 5: The Musical” press conference at The New 42nd Street Studios July 15, 2008 in New York City.
Dolly Parton Through the Years: 2007
Dolly Parton meets young schoolchildren at the Magna Science And Adventure Park on Dec.
5, 2007 in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, England.
Dolly Parton Through the Years: 2006
Dolly Parton arrives at the 78th Annual Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre on March 5, 2006 in Hollywood.
Dolly Parton Through the Years: 2005
Dolly Parton performs at the 39th Annual Country Music Association Awards at Madison Square Garden Nov.
15, 2005 in New York City.
Dolly Parton Through the Years: 2004
Dolly Parton poses backstage during the MTV Networks UpFront at the MSG – The Paramount Theater May 5, 2004 in New York City.
Dolly Parton Through the Years: 2003
Dolly Parton watches the festivities during the retro premiere of the movie “9 to 5” for the 8th Annual Georgia Campaign for Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention gala June 9, 2003 in Atlanta, Ga.
Dolly Parton Through the Years: 2002
Dolly Parton performs at the House of Blues on August 7, 2002 in West Hollywood.
Dolly Parton Through the Years: 1990
Dolly Parton performs at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Oct.
29, 1990.
Dolly Parton Through the Years: 1980
Dolly Parton performs onstage in 1980 in Universal City, Calif.
Dolly Parton Through the Years: 1977
Dolly Parton in London after performing at the King’s Theatre in Glasgow at a Scottish Royal Jubilee Television Special in 1977.
Dolly Parton Through the Years: 1965
Dolly Parton poses for a portrait in 1965 in Nashville, Tenn.
A complete timeline of Dolly Parton's inspiring life and career
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- Before Dolly Parton was a country megastar, she grew up in a poor family in rural Tennessee.
- She wrote her first song at age 5 and played her first show at Nashville's Grand Ole Opry at 13.
- Her scheduled Las Vegas residency has been postponed.
Dolly Parton's journey from a humble two-room cabin in rural Tennessee to the bright lights of country music stardom is one of the most inspiring stories in the music industry.
Parton, 79, has become a cultural icon, celebrated not only for chart-topping hits like "9 to 5" and "I Will Always Love You," but also for her philanthropy, business ventures, and effortless charm.
Here's a complete timeline of Parton's decades in the public eye and her remarkable career.
Dolly Parton was born in Locust Ridge, Tennessee, on January 19, 1946.
The fourth of 12 children, Parton was born to a poor family in rural Appalachia.
Parton's father, Robert Lee, was a tobacco farmer and a construction worker who never learned to read or write, having dropped out of school as a young child.
Her mother, Avie Lee Owens, was a preacher's daughter who spent most of her life raising and caring for her children.
Parton always knew she wanted to be a star.
In 1968, Parton and Wagoner took home the Country Music Association award for vocal group of the year and the Music City News award for duet of the year.
Parton earned her first No. 1 hit in 1971.
Following the success of her cover of Jimmie Rodgers' "Mule Skinner Blues (Blue Yodel No.
8)," which topped out at No. 3 on the Billboard country charts in 1970, Parton's single "Joshua" was her first chart-topper.
Her 13th solo studio album, "Jolene," dominated the charts after its release in 1974.
"Jolene" is undoubtedly one of Parton's best-known hits, and rightfully so.
It reached No.
1 on the country charts and peaked at No. 60 on the Billboard Hot 100. In 1975, the CMAs awarded Parton with the Female Vocalist of the Year award.
Due to her solo success, Parton ceased performing on Porter Wagoner's TV show and road show in 1974, and in 1976, she severed all professional ties with Wagoner.
In its place, Parton created "Dolly," her first — but certainly not her last — syndicated TV show, which ran for one year.
Parton had another standout year in 1977 thanks to a pair of critically acclaimed albums.
Parton released both "New Harvest...
She eventually went solo in 1974 after working with Porter Wagoner since 1967.
Parton is known for writing and recording such songs as “I Will Always Love You,” “Jolene” and “9 to 5,” among others. "Somehow, nobody noticed."
Parton recorded and released six songs on the album "Hits Made Famous by Country Queens" in 1963.
24) and "Something Fishy" (No. In the early days of her musical career, she sang barefoot on the front porch of her family's home in the mountains, a two-room log cabin with no running water or electricity.
In 1951, at just 5 years old, Parton wrote her first song, "Little Tiny Tassel Top."
Two years later, in 1953, Parton was so enthusiastic about playing music that she made her first guitar out of an old mandolin and two bass guitar strings, according to the Library of Congress.
Although Parton's family was poor, a wealth of musical talent surrounded her.
Biography reported that Parton's mother sang and played guitar.
17).
In July of that year, Parton's first full-length album, "Hello, I'm Dolly," was also released on Monument.
In September 1967, Parton appeared on "The Porter Wagoner Show," and by the end of the year, the duo had teamed up to release a version of "The Last Thing on My Mind," which hit No. 7 on Billboard's country chart.
RCA signed Parton and Wagoner, and the duo released their first album together, "Just Between You and Me," the following year.
Parton also released her first solo single, "Just Because I'm a Woman," the same year.
Dolly Parton Through the Years: Glittering Concert Styles, Red Carpet Looks and More [PHOTOS]
Dolly Parton is a venerated country music singer, actress and philanthropist. It was a combination of diesel fuel, Naugahyde, and people who were going places."
The single didn't garner any commercial success.
At the age of 13, she performed at Nashville's Grand Ole Opry for the first time.
Parton has said it was always her dream to perform at the Opry.
"For me, the Opry is like the song 'New York, New York' — if you can make it there, you can make it anywhere," she said, according to her Opry artist bio.
At age 13, she got her chance.
Look back on the Tennessee native's illustrious music career.
ROBYN BECK, AFP Via Getty ImagesDolly Parton as a student at Sevier County High School, where she graduated in 1964.
Provided By Pigeon Forge Public LibraryDolly Parton in a 1978 publicity still for RCA records.
Provided By RCA RecordsDolly Parton and Carol Burnett promoting "Dolly and Carol in Nashville," a special that aired on Feb.
14, 1979.
Provided By CBSA still from Dolly Parton's film debut, "9 to 5," in which Parton played Doralee Rhodes.
Provided By 20th Century FoxDolly Parton with Sylvester Stallone in the 1984 movie "Rhinestone."
Provided By 20th Century FoxDolly Parton in May 1986.
Knoxville News Sentinel Via USA TODAY NetworkCrowds follow Dolly Parton after a press conference at Dollywood on Oct.
7, 1987.
Knoxville News Sentinel Via USA TODAY NetworkDolly Parton performs with Hank Williams Jr. and other stars at the 22nd annual CMA Awards show at the Grand Ole Opry House on Oct. 10, 1988.
Callie Shell, The Tennessean Via USA TODAY NetworkDolly Parton starred with Daryl Hannah in the 1989 film "Steel Magnolias."
Provided By Tri-Star PicturesBob Hope and Dolly Parton share a moment on stage at the season opening of Dollywood on April 27, 1991.
Knoxville News Sentinel Via USA TODAY NetworkDolly Parton introduces her new line of cosmetics on Nov.
11, 1993, at Dollywood.
Paul Efird, Knoxville News Sentinel Via USA TODAY NetworkDolly Parton climbs into a 1955 Chevrolet convertible at the season opening of Dollywood on April 21, 1995.
Michael Patrick, Knoxville News Sentinel Via USA TODAY NetworkDolly Parton marks the season opening of Dollywood on April 20, 1996.
Michael Patrick, Knoxville News Sentinel Via USA TODAY NetworkDolly Parton reads aloud to children from Gatlinburg Presbyterian Church on June 13, 1997.
Paul Efird, Knoxville News Sentinel Via USA TODAY NetworkDolly Parton and "The E-Team," known as "Elvises of the Sky," at the grand opening of Dollywood's 13th season in 1998.
Knoxville News Sentinel Via USA TODAY NetworkDolly Parton serves dessert to reporters during media day on April 4, 2003, at Dollywood.
Michael Patrick, Knoxville News Sentinel Via USA TODAY NetworkDolly Parton performs before a packed house on Sept.
23, 2005, at Dollywood.
Knoxville News Sentinel Via USA TODAY NetworkDolly Parton appears in a tiger cage to kick off her annual KidsFest June 19, 2006, at Dollywood.
Knoxville News Sentinel Via USA TODAY NetworkDolly Parton kicks off the 2007 Dollywood season.
Knoxville News Sentinel Via USA TODAY NetworkDolly Parton performs Porter Wagoner songs on April 12, 2008, at Dollywood during a tribute to the late country music star.
Knoxville News Sentinel Via USA TODAY NetworkDolly Parton sits for an interview at Dollywood on May 7, 2009.
Knoxville News Sentinel Via USA TODAY NetworkDolly Parton kicks off her "Better Day" tour at Thompson-Boling Arena on July 17, 2011.
Saul Young, Knoxville News Sentinel Via USA TODAY NetworkDolly Parton talks about her career and dreams for Dollywood at her 2013 season preview March 22, 2013.
Michael Patrick, Knoxville News Sentinel Via USA TODAY NetworkDolly Parton performs at the LeConte Center in Pigeon Forge as part of her "Pure & Simple" tour on Nov.
15, 2016.
BRIANNA PACIORKA, Knoxville News Sentinel Via USA TODAY NetworkDolly Parton presents longtime friend Lily Tomlin with a Life Achievement Award at the 2016 Screen Actors Guild Awards.
Kevin Winter, Getty ImagesDolly Parton and Miley Cyrus perform onstage during the 61st annual Grammy Awards at Staples Center on Feb.
10, 2019, in Los Angeles.
Kevin Winter, Getty Images For The Recording ADolly Parton poses with the cast of Netflix's "Heartstrings" at Dollywood on Oct. 29, 2019.
Jason Kempin, Getty Images For NetflixDolly Parton performs at the Grand Ole Opry to celebrate her 50th anniversary of becoming a member on Oct.
12, 2019.
Larry McCormack, The Tennessean Via USA TODAY NetworkDolly Parton addresses reporters and photographers at a foundation event on Nov. 5, 2019.
John Lamparski, Getty ImagesDolly Parton poses on the red carpet of the Country Music Association Awards on Nov. 13, 2019 in Nashville.
Jason Kempin, Getty ImagesDolly Parton onstage with Reba McEntire and Carrie Underwood.
Terry Wyatt, Getty ImagesDolly Parton in her Netflix movie musical, "Christmas on the Square," which premiered on Nov.
22, 2020.
Provided By NetflixDolly Parton performs at the 2021 Kiss Breast Cancer Goodbye Concert at CMA Theater on Oct. 24, 2021.
Jason Kempin, Getty ImagesDolly Parton performs onstage during the 57th Academy of Country Music Awards at Allegiant Stadium on March 7, 2022, in Las Vegas.
Kevin Winter, Getty Images For ACMDolly Parton performs onstage during the 58th Academy of Country Music Awards at The Ford Center at The Star on May 11, 2023, in Frisco, Texas.
Theo Wargo, Getty ImagesDolly Parton performs during halftime in the game between the Washington Commanders and the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on Nov.
23, 2023, in Arlington, Texas.
Ron Jenkins, Getty Images.
Parton also starred in the film “9 to 5” in 1980 alongside Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda.In 2021, Parton debuted her perfume line and, in August 2024, her makeup line launched, featuring bedazzled lipsticks in four shades.
Parton is also a dedicated philanthropist, starting The Dolly Foundation in 1988, donating $1 million to the Monroe Carell Jr.
Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in 2017 and donating another $1 million in research efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
Here, see photos of Parton throughout her life.
Dolly Parton Through the Years: 2025
Dolly Parton attends the opening of Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum’s new exhibit ‘Dolly Parton: Journey of a Seeker’ at Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on May 19, 2025 in Nashville, Tenn.
Dolly Parton Through the Years: 2024
Dolly Parton speaks onstage during Kicking Off CMA Fest: A Special Conversation With Dolly Parton Hosted By Rachel Smith at Music City Center on June 6, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Dolly Parton Through the Years: 2023
Dolly Parton attends the Dolly Parton “Rockstar” Album Press Conference at the Four Seasons Hotel on June 29, 2023 in London.
Dolly Parton Through the Years: 2022
Dolly Parton speaks onstage during the the 57th Academy of Country Music Awards at Allegiant Stadium on March 07, 2022 in Las Vegas.
Dolly Parton Through the Years: 2021
Dolly Parton performs at the 2021 Kiss Breast Cancer Goodbye Concert at CMA Theater at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on Oct.
24, 2021 in Nashville, Tenn.
Dolly Parton Through the Years: 2019
Dolly Parton attends the 61st Annual GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 10, 2019 in Los Angeles.
Dolly Parton Through the Years: 2018
Dolly Parton attends the premiere of Netflix’s “Dumplin'” at TCL Chinese 6 Theatres on Dec.
6, 2018 in Hollywood, Calif.
Dolly Parton Through the Years: 2017
Dolly Parton accepts the Gary Haber Lifting Lives Award onstage during the 11th Annual ACM Honors at the Ryman Auditorium on Aug. 23, 2017 in Nashville, Tenn.
Dolly Parton Through the Years: 2016
Recipient of the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award Dolly Parton poses backstage the 50th annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on Nov.
2, 2016 in Nashville, Tenn.
Dolly Parton Through the Years: 2015
Dolly Parton performs at Pure & Simple Benefiting The Opry Trust Fund at Ryman Auditorium on Aug. 1, 2015 in Nashville, Tenn.
Dolly Parton Through the Years: 2014
Dolly Parton performs during a concert to benefit Dolly’s Imagination Library & Dr.
Robert F. Thomas Foundation at The University of Tennessee’s Thompson-boling Arena on May 28, 2014 in Knoxville, Tenn.
Dolly Parton Through the Years: 2012
Dolly Parton attends the Premiere Of Warner Bros. She tapped pop producer Gary Klein to work on the album, and she recruited outside writers to compose some of its songs, The Boot reported.
Parton had shown potential as a pop singer on previous albums, but her 1977 hits solidified her position as a pop sensation and helped pave the way for more pop-oriented hits, such as "9 to 5."
The album also earned Parton a Grammy Award for best female country vocal performance.
Dolly Parton: See the legendary country music singer's career
MUSIC
Sept.
First Gathering" and "Here You Come Again" in 1977, in February and October, respectively. "Here You Come Again" went on to achieve platinum status in 1978 — her first album to sell one million copies.
"Here You Come Again" signaled a monumental shift in the singer's sound and career trajectory. Born in 1946, Parton rose to prominence for her singing and songwriting prowess in the 1960s and 1970s.
In 1965, she and her uncle were signed by Fred Foster to Combine Publishing House and Monument Records.
The following year, Bill Phillips charted in the Top 10 twice thanks to two songs written by Parton and Owens: "Put It Off Until Tomorrow" and "The Company You Keep."
In May 1966, Parton married her husband, Carl Dean.
Parton was 18 when she met 21-year-old Dean outside the Wishy Washy Laundromat in Nashville in 1964.
They were married in Georgia against the wishes of her record label, which thought that marriage would hamper the singer's career.
"It was just my mother, and Carl, and me," Parton told CMT in 2016.
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