Dolly-Parton

Dolly Parton, born Jan. 19, 1946 in Locust Ridge Tenn. to a family of 12 poor kids who would grow with them eventually. She learned early on how to conquer of difficulties with her incredibly vibrant imagination. Her songs were written before she was able to read or write. She got her first guitar when she was just 8 years old and started performing on an Knoxville Tenn radio station at the age of 11. The same year she released her debut recording for Gold Band Records a tiny independent label. While still in highschool She made her mark in the local community, yet she yearned for having a bigger stage. On the very day she was able to graduate from high school, in 1964. Her first charting records with Monument Records included Dumb Blonde and Something Fishy both in 1967. Porter Wagoner had been looking for a female singer to perform on his show syndicated by him from the beginning. Parton was a part of the Grand Ole Opry 1969 after having signed with RCA Records. However, it wasn't until 1974 when she made the decision to quit Wagoner's band because the popularity of her individual records such as Joshua Coat, Many Colors and Jolene was outstripping their joint efforts. Parton was a part of the group that split after the end of their relationship with Wagoner she wrote the song I Will Always Love You and had it reach Number. The first time it reached the top spot was in 1974.