Dolly Parton

Dolly Parton grew up in a rustic one room cabin that was dilapidated in Locust Ridge Tennessee. She is one of twelve children, her siblings are Willadeene who is a poet, David, Denver & Bobby, Stella, Randy & Frieda (twin of Floyd who is a songwriter) who are also a singers, Rachel who is an actress, Cassie, and Larry who died shortly after birth.

Both of her parents (Robert Lee & Avie Lee Owens) were parishoners in the Assembly of God Church and music was a part of their church.

Carl Dean and Dolly Parton were married on May 30, 1966. His very first words to her were: "You're gonna get sunburnt out there, little lady." In 1966, Carl told Dolly that she was either going to have to move to the other side of town, or they were going to have to get married. After telling Carl that she wasn't going to wash dishes, clean up, and that she was still going after her dream to be a country singer, she agreed to get married. Dean & Parton have raised several of her brothers and sisters but have no children of their own. Many of Partons' nieces and nephews call her "Aunt Granny". Dean shuns publicity (he runs an asphalt paving business in Nashville) and rarely accompanies her to public events.

Parton wrote songs for both Hank Williams Jr, and Skeeter Davis. She also performed at the Grand Ole' Oprey at age 13. Her first 'hit' song (which she wrote) was recorded by Monument Records who agreed to have have sing country music after her composition, "Put It Off Until Tomorrow," as recorded by Bill Phillips (and with Parton, uncredited, on harmony), went to No. 6 on the Country Charts in 1966.