Eighty years ago today, a star was born in Tennessee — one who would not only help define country music, but also become one of the most beloved and enduring figures in American culture: Dolly Parton. Born on January 19, 1946, Parton rose from humble beginnings to earn her place as the undisputed Queen of Country. The singer, who was raised in a one-room cabin, didn’t have an easy or glamorous life by any measure. But she thrived nonetheless. Having begun pursuing her musical career as a child, Parton’s perseverance and dedication ultimately paid off, thanks largely to her unmistakable talent and larger-than-life personality. She successfully reshaped the sound of the genre while effortlessly crossing into other creative terrain, including film and television. But she was more than just an artist; to this day, Parton’s influence reaches far beyond the stage.
The Making of a Country Music Icon
Parton began singing on local radio and television stations as a child and recorded her first-ever single, titled “Puppy Love,” at the age of 13. With such remarkable talent at a young age, success seemed written in the stars. Beyond her singing ability, Parton was always a songwriter at heart — a quality that would come to define her legacy decades later. She first found early success in the music industry by writing songs for other artists. Although she is now considered one of the best-selling musicians of all time, Parton did not achieve meteoric success until later in her career.
After releasing her debut studio album, Hello, I’m Dolly, in 1967, songs like “Dumb Blonde” and “Something Fishy” showcased her strong artistic identity. However, she spent years navigating the ins and outs of the industry before becoming a household name. And it was not until the 1970s (with the releases of Joshua, Coat of Many Colors, and most notably Jolene) that Parton achieved widespread commercial and critical success. Though nearly a decade passed before her career reached greater heights, her journey was a gradual and well-earned ascent, proving that lasting success takes time.
A career that spanned decades (alongside over 40 studio albums), Parton truly is a legend in music. And that came without massive recognition. In fact, her talent has been celebrated with various accolades, including a total of 10 Grammy wins against 55 nominations, as well as her induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2022. The woman behind beloved songs like “Jolene,” “I Will Always Love You,” “The Bargain Store,” “Touch Your Woman,” “Love Is Like A Butterfly,” “9 To 5,” and many more, Parton has opened doors for women in country music and the wider music industry. She has also inspired several female artists that came after her, including the likes of Kacey Musgraves, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift, and, of course, her goddaughter, Miley Cyrus.
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Dolly Parton Is a National Treasure
The country superstar was more than just an artist — she is also best known for having such a good, big heart. Since the 1980s, Parton has been deeply involved in philanthropy, most notably her efforts for literacy programs. Among her charitable initiatives are The Dollywood Foundation, Eagle Mountain Sanctuary at Dollywood, The Dolly Parton Scholarship, My People Fund, Special Merit Scholarship, Dollywood Education Coverage, and more. In 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Parton donated $1 million to Vanderbilt University’s coronavirus research, which ultimately contributed to funding Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine.
Parton has always been generous and has always extended her hand to those in need. But perhaps the most touching was the Imagination Library, a literacy program that provides free books to kids from birth to at least age five, encouraging growth in early literacy. She built the program to honor her father, Robert Lee Parton Sr., who never learned to read or write. “My own father didn’t get a chance to go to school. He couldn’t read and write, and that hindered him a great deal because he was so smart,” said Parton.
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Dolly Parton Celebrates 80th Birthday With New Version of “Light of a Clear Blue Morning”
Now on her 80th, Parton celebrated her milestone birthday early with the release of the new version of “Light of a Clear Blue Morning,” a country-pop track first featured on her 1977 album New Harvest…First Gathering. The new version features Parton’s longtime collaborators Lainey Wilson, Miley Cyrus, Queen Latifah, and Reba McEntire. The proceeds from the newly-recorded “Light of a Clear Blue Morning” will go to the pediatric cancer research program at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt in Nashville, according to Billboard. She said in a statement:
“I wrote ‘Light of a Clear Blue Morning’ during a season when I was searching for hope, and fifty years later that message still feels just as true. As I celebrate my 80th birthday, this new version is my way of using what I’ve been blessed with to shine a little light forward, especially by sharing it with some truly incredible women.”
