Dolly-Parton

Dolly Parton, born Jan. 19th, 1946 in Locust Ridge Tenn. to twelve poor children, who would all grow up together eventually, learned very quickly how to navigate her way out of the difficulties she faced thanks to her incredibly creative imagination. Before she was able to write and read, she was singing her own tunes. She got her first guitar at the age of 8 and began singing on the Knoxville Tenn radio station at 11 years old. At the same time she released her debut album on Gold Band Records an independent small label. In high school, she was able to make her mark locally but longed to be on a bigger stage. The day after she graduated in 1964, she moved to Nashville. Dumb Blonde, Something Fishy and Dumb Blonde both charted on Monument Records in 1967. Porter Wagoner, a syndicated presenter on television in the late '60s, was looking for a singer for his show. Parton began her career in 1966. She was then signed to RCA Records in 1968, and the Grand Ole Opry was founded in the year 1969. The show was cancelled by Wagoner, however, in 1974 because her solo albums like Joshua Coat Of Many Colors and Jolene outsold their collaborations. Parton following the breakup of their partnership with Wagoner she wrote the song I Will Always Love You and saw it climb to No. #1 for the first time in 1974.