Dolly Parton Essentials

Editors’ Notes Dolly Parton grew up in poverty, the fourth of her family's twelve children raised in Tennessee's Smoky Mountains. Getting her first guitar at age 8, her talent for song manifested early. By 13, she had already cut her first single, sang on regional TV, and performed live at the Grand Ole Opry. It was just the beginning of a charmed career that eventually led the Appalachian girl to success as a songwriter, singer, actress, author, and even theme park owner. Known for her expressive vibrato, glamour gal appearance, and folksy charm, her career has brought her more than 65 chart-topping pop and country singles, as well as honors from the Country Music, Gospel, and Songwriting Halls of Fame.