Dolly Parton has become a cult favorite, which is an uncommon feat for musicians. The legendary Tennessee native has been performing and singing for what seems like her whole life, but that hasn’t stopped her from loving entertaining her countless admirers.
Now, Dolly Parton’s performance attire and cosmetics have long been her signature features. The reason she is never seen in public without her publicist is something she has previously addressed.
Stunning country music icon Dolly Parton—all the info you need is right here!
On January 19, 1946, Dolly Parton came into this world in Locust Ridge, Tennessee. In Locust Ridge, close to the Great Smoky Mountains, she was one of twelve children and lived in relative poverty as a child. Money was a problem, as one might expect.
Life of Dolly Parton
Nevertheless, her family drew closer through music. Growing up, Parton heard her mother sing and play guitar, and she began performing in church at an early age, which sparked her interest in music.
One thing that Parton emphasized was how music played an integral role in her family’s life. Musical talent ran throughout my family. Each one of them was proficient on an instrument. Naturally, I was quite passionate about my music, and I would often accompany my family members or anybody else who happened to have an instrument laying around by plucking along on it. Yet the guitar has always held a special place in my heart.
A guitar was eventually given to Dolly by her uncle. She began penning her own tunes not long after.
She began performing on Knoxville, Tennessee, television and radio stations when she was just ten years old. Then, at the tender age of thirteen, she made her radio debut on the nationally syndicated Grand Ole Opry, where she would earn roughly twenty dollars each week.
For the Partons, family and music were like two sides of the same coin. Actually, she was able to advance in her musical career with the support of her relatives.
She mentioned that she had two uncles who played music: Uncle Bill, who gave her a leg up in the industry, and Uncle Lewis, who was a master guitarist as well. He gave me his small Martin guitar because he saw how much I loved playing it and because he knew I was serious about music. It held great value to me.
Transferred to Nashville
As the first member of her family to complete high school, Parton made history. However, she put her music career first in 1964, when she was 18 years old. That being said, Dolly packed her bags and headed for Nashville, the country music scene’s holy grail.
“I had a dream,” she murmured. Meanwhile, I fancied myself to be talented. And I had this strong conviction that it was going to transpire.
Dolly swiftly rose to fame in Nashville. The Porter Wagoner Show, in which she co-starred with Porter Wagoner, catapulted them to fame. Parton quickly signed with RCA Records after releasing a string of country songs with Wagoner. Parton had a string of successful singles beginning with 1971’s Joshua, her first No. 1 country single. Among them was, unsurprisingly, Jolene.
In the late ’60s, when Parton was still signing autographs for fans following her TV shows, the idea came to her.
“Once upon a time, while I was performing, there was this absolutely stunning young girl—I would estimate that she was about eight years old,” Parton said.
With her stunning crimson hair, flawless complexion, and emerald eyes, she stood before me, gesturing for an autograph. “Well, you’re the most beautiful little thing I’ve ever seen,” I exclaimed. May I inquire about your name? And her name was Jolene. “Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene,” I exclaimed. Wow, that’s lovely. That melody may be a song. I intend to compose music based on that.
‘Jolene’ by Dolly Parton
Meanwhile, the words of the song were inspired by a bank teller who showed interest in Parton’s new husband.
“She developed an intense romantic interest in my husband,” Parton revealed. Plus, he enjoyed his visits to the bank so much because of the attention he received from her. “Hey, you seem to be spending quite a bit of time at the bank,” I would comment, and it would be like a running joke between us. We don’t have that type of money, in my opinion. So, it’s a harmless song in every way, yet it sounds terrible.
Jolene is a very short song, with only 200 lyrics. Nonetheless, it was a huge hit throughout the twentieth century. The song was nominated for two Grammy Awards—one for Best Female Country Vocal Performance (studio) and one for Best Live Performance—and Dolly Parton reached No. 1 on the charts.
Additionally, in 2004, Rolling Stone magazine compiled a list of “the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time,” with Jolene coming in at number 217.
The Seeker, Love Is Like a Butterfly, I, Will Always Love You (a homage to Wagoner and their professional relationship), and All I Can Do were just a few of the songs that helped propel Dolly to superstardom and a string of awards.
Popular songs and honors
Here You Come Again, which she earned her first Grammy for in 1977, was followed by more hits.
Dolly increased her fan base in the 1980s when she entered the film industry.
She co-starred with Jane Fonda and contributed to the score of the 1980 comedy 9 to 5, which was a smash hit. She went on to make several more film appearances and even opened her own theme park, Dollywood, in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee in 1986.
According to Dolly, she has composed over three thousand songs throughout her career. The artist achieved incredible success, topping the country charts 25 times and winning an unprecedented eight Grammy Awards. Her album sales surpassed 100 million. She continues to move at a rapid pace.
Song titles and melodies seem to pop into my head on a daily basis, Parton confided at the BBC in 2016.
So, I’m sixteen years old. This romantic in me will never go away. Still, I feel and think like a 35-year-old. At the age of 35, I had reached the peak of my life’s achievements and was experiencing an abundance of joy and fulfillment. To keep that mindset going, I simply chose to “claim that number.”
Dolly Parton found her soulmate over 55 years ago, but she has since become a global sensation because to her music, songwriting, and electrifying live performances.
Carl Dean is married to Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton and Carl Dean crossed paths in 1964 in Nashville, Tennessee, outside of the Wishy Washy Laundromat. Carl was twenty-one years old, and Dolly was eighteen. Carl immediately noticed something remarkable about the girl.
Dean recalled the first thing he thought when they met: “I’m gonna marry that girl,” according to an interview with Entertainment Tonight.
‘Lord, she’s good lookin’ was my second thought.’ And with that, my life started. I wouldn’t give up the past half-century for anything in the world.
According to Dolly’s recollection from a 1976 interview with the New York Times, Dean “hollered” at her while riding in his pickup truck. Despite this, she turned down his offer of a date. When she was babysitting her nephew a few days later, she instead invited him over. It was the first chapter in an eternal love tale.
A little wedding ceremony took place in Ringgold, Georgia in May 1966 when Dolly and Carl were married. Since she had a profession to consider, her record label advised her to postpone getting married. Nevertheless, Dean and Dolly were impatient and chose to wed in Georgia to avoid publicity in their home state of Tennessee. Besides her mother and Dolly, Carl was the only one present.
Dolly and Carl’s affection for each other has only grown stronger since then. They marked 50 years of marriage in 2016. Their decision to repeat their vows was a token of their joy.
I don’t understand why Carl never walks the red carpet with Dolly Parton
Despite this, Carl Dean never appears with his wife on the red carpet at any of the award ceremonies or charity events that he attends.
One day, when his wife was twenty years old and had just gotten her first songwriting prize, he did it. That was the end of it.
In a recollection, Dolly Parton was reported as saying, “After the dinner, we walked back out, and they brought us our car — I don’t even remember what we were driving at the time — and we got in it and headed for home.”
The conversation continued with Carl turning to me and saying, “Dolly, I want you to have everything you want, and I’m happy for you, but don’t you ever ask me to go to another one of those dang things again!”
Since Dolly has spent her entire life working in the entertainment industry, it has been beneficial for her to have the support of her one and only true love throughout her entire life. These days, they are free to do whatever they want, and we sincerely believe that they are deserving of everything they have.
On the other hand, Carl and Dolly have made the decision that they will not grow up with children. How come? As a matter of fact, it was not a suitable match.
Throughout the years, there have been constant discussions about the rumors that surround Dolly and plastic surgery. The 76-year-old woman, on the other hand, is not scared to speak openly and honestly about the matter. Never once has Dolly Parton avoided answering concerns regarding plastic surgery. Rather than that, she has been forthright and truthful about the actions she has taken in relation to protocols, regardless of what other people may think.
When people inquire about the cosmetic procedures she has undergone, Dolly assures them that she will always be honest.
Cosmetic surgery and Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton discussed her extensive plastic surgery history with Larry King, revealing that she had a facelift, breast implants, liposuction, eye surgery, extra skin removal, botox, lip injections, and more.
Since I’d rather not lie about it, I will say that I do it on occasion because I believe it could be helpful. Well, it’s not like — I mean, I look really fake, but I really hope I’m authentic,” Parton stated.
“I make an effort to choose the most qualified surgeon, and I don’t undergo plastic surgery very frequently,” she continued.
Because I prefer not to make a huge splash all at once, I simply do it in little bits and pieces. I’ve always avoided getting my entire body worked on so I don’t appear as taut as a banjo head.
Whether she’s performing, strolling the red carpet, or even just out shopping, Dolly always looks stunning. The iconic country artist will, therefore, invariably appear dressed to the nines.
Being stated that, her natural beauty is mostly unknown.
Then what gives? Dolly, though, has a smart theory to back it up.
“I must constantly be prepared.”
Parton said that she likes to be “street ready” in an interview she did with RuPaul for Marie Claire in 2020. This includes prepping her hair and makeup for any eventuality.
“I always say I’m street-ready,” the country queen stated, emphasizing the need of staying prepared. “I must ensure that my hair is styled and that my makeup is applied.”
“I will not rush out into the street looking like you look now if it’s going to be an earthquake,” Parton continued. I need to have an ambulance on standby in case I get sick.
Even though Dolly Parton is always meticulous about her hair and cosmetics, she has said that she is comfortable being herself.
“I am at ease when I am alone. “I prefer to dress for myself rather than for other people; I am confident in my appearance,” Parton stated.