Dolly-Parton

Dolly Parton, born Jan. 19, 1946, in Locust Ridge Tenn. to 12 hungry children who would grow up together eventually, learned very young how to overcome of her difficulties by using her rich and vivid imagination. She was writing songs before she could write or read. After 8 years of age, she was playing her first guitar. At age 11 when she was 11, she began singing at Knoxville Tenn's local radio station. In the same time, Gold Band Records was an independent label. Her name was made on the local circuit while in high school but she always dreamed of having a bigger stage. After graduating from high school in 1964, she moved immediately to Nashville. Her first charting records with Monument Records included Dumb Blonde and Something Fishy both in 1967. Porter Wagoner's syndicated TV show needed a new singer at around this point. Parton began her career in the year 1967 and signed by RCA Records by 1968, she joined the Grand Ole Opry. It was not until 1974 when she made the decision to quit Wagoner's program as the popularity of her own solo records including Joshua Coat, Many Colors, and Jolene had outstripped their collaborative efforts. Parton recorded "I Will Always Love You" to Wagoner soon after their split. The song was ranked the top spot at No. 1 for the first time in 1974.