Dolly Parton

Dolly Parton, born January 19, 1946, is an American singer-songwriter, actress, and philanthropist who rose from a childhood in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee to become one of country music's defining figures. She began performing as a child and gained wider visibility in the late 1960s as a duet partner on Porter Wagoner's television show, before launching a hugely successful solo career.

Her voice, a distinctive soprano, and her gift for storytelling songwriting made hits of «Jolene» and «Coat of Many Colors», while «I Will Always Love You» became one of the most covered songs in popular music. She crossed into pop with «Here You Come Again» and «9 to 5», the latter from the film of the same name in which she also starred. Her collaborations, including work with Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris, and duets like «Islands in the Stream» with Kenny Rogers, broadened her reach across genres.

Beyond music, Parton is known for her acting, songwriting catalog, and philanthropy, including literacy programs. Her songwriting blends plainspoken Appalachian storytelling with pop sensibility, and she remains one of the most influential and enduring figures to emerge from country music.