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 young how to overcome of the difficulties she faced through her vibrant and imaginative imagination. The songs she wrote were composed before she knew how to write or read. After 8 years of age, she had her very first guitar. In the age of 11 she started singing at the Knoxville Tennessee radio station. That same year she made her debut recording for Gold Band Records a tiny independent label. She made a name on the local circuit while in high school but she wanted to perform on a larger stage. The day she graduated from high school, it was 1964. Dumb Blonde was her first record to chart at the top of Monument Records. Porter Wagoner, a syndicated show on TV at the time was searching for a female singer on his show. Parton joined RCA Records and then joined the Grand Ole Opry. She took on the role in 1967. It was not until 1974 when she made the decision to quit Wagoner's show because the success of her solo albums like Joshua Coat, Many Colors, and Jolene exceeded their collective efforts. Parton wrote "I will Always Be Loving You" to Wagoner just after the pair split. The song was ranked No. The first time a single hit the top spot.