Tennessee

This post is on, arguably, the most famous influential female country singer ever. From her big voice to her big *cough* shoulders *cough*,  Dolly Parton is a woman known to most and her amazing voice has been on the country music scene since 1966! Just take a moment to appreciate that. For those of you that aren't mathematically minded, that's 49 years!

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From Sevier County, Tennessee and a family of 12 children, Parton had humble beginnings. Music had always played a big part in her life. At age 13 Parton recorded her first single with Goldband Records. She appeared on different radio shows on local stations from age 10. After graduating high school Parton moved to Nashville to pursue a career in music. She was signed to Momentum Records who tried to make her sing Pop music. Parton insisted she sing country and eventually they relented. Parton has been singing country music ever since.

Dolly Parton has won award after award, had so many albums certified, had so many number 1's and yet I don't need to tell you. It's clear to see just how successful she is. Parton retains her southern accent when singing and has a high, but immeasurably strong, voice. She has collaborated with dozens of people and is often referred to as the Queen of Country.

Singing isn't the only talent Parton has. She received her first guitar age 8 and can now play 13 different instruments! Parton has also been on our screens as an actress starring in the films 9 to 5 and Straight Talk to name a few.


Parton's most famous songs include 9 to 5, Jolene, Coat of Many Colours and I Will Always Love You.
 9 to 5 tells of the struggles of the average working woman, fighting to get ahead in a male driven world. Jolene outlines a woman's upset at her husbands infatuation for another, supposedly more beautiful, woman. Coat of Many Colours was a song Parton wrote which told of her family's poverty and what it was like to grow up in an underprivileged household.  I Will Always Love You tells the story of a woman who is parting from a man, but on good terms still loving and respecting each other. The song was made even more famous by Whitney Houston's cover of it in The Bodyguard and many people are unaware of the fact that it is Parton's song.
Below is the original version sung by Dolly.

Parton is married to Carl Thomas Dean, the two have been together since 1966. They haven't any children however the two helped bring up a few of Dolly's younger siblings. Parton is also godmother to Miley Cyrus, the well known Pop Singer, and even appeared in several episodes of Hannah Montana as 'Aunt Dolly'. Despite singing pop, Miley has been surrounded with country music since she was born with her father being, country crooner, Bill Ray Cyrus. She has sung several country songs, including covering Dolly's Jolene.