Dolly Parton

Dolly Parton to Release New Album ‘Smoky Mountain DNA’ on November 15

Country music legend Dolly Parton is set to release her highly anticipated new album, Smoky Mountain DNA — Family, Faith & Fables, on November 15. This forthcoming record will delve into her family’s roots and legacy, featuring an impressive total of 37 tracks, showcasing both her vocals and those of various extended family members.

At 78 years old, Parton has already provided a glimpse of the album with the August release of its title track, along with “A Rose Won’t Fix It,” a duet with her niece, Heidi Parton. In September, she introduced the poignant song “I Will Know,” which features vocals from her sister, Rachel Parton George. Reflecting on her journey, Parton shared, “I cannot believe that it has been 60 years this month since I graduated from Sevier County High School and moved to Nashville to pursue my dreams. My Uncle Bill Owens was by my side for many years, helping me develop my music. I owe so much to him and all the family members past and present who have inspired me along this journey. I am honored to spotlight our families’ musical legacy that is my Smoky Mountain DNA.”

In addition to the album release, Smoky Mountain DNA will be accompanied by a four-part documentary series, slated for release in 2025.

A Brief Biography of Dolly Parton

Dolly Rebecca Parton, born on January 19, 1946, in Locust Ridge, Tennessee, rose to fame alongside country star Porter Wagoner in the 1960s before embarking on a successful solo career. Her catalog includes iconic hits such as “Joshua,” “Jolene,” “The Bargain Store,” “I Will Always Love You,” “Here You Come Again,” “9 to 5,” and “Islands in the Stream.” Renowned for her exceptional songwriting and unique vocal style, Parton has received numerous accolades, including 10 Grammy Awards, and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1999.

Parton has also made significant contributions to film, starring in notable movies such as 9 to 5, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, and Steel Magnolias. In 1986, she opened Dollywood, a theme park that has since become part of a larger network of attractions. Despite her storied career, Parton remains active in recording and touring.

Early Life

Growing up as the fourth of 12 children in a “dirt poor” family, Parton’s early experiences shaped her passion for music. Her parents, Robert Lee Parton, an illiterate sharecropper, and Avie Lee Owens Parton, instilled in her a love for music. Parton’s first exposure to performing came from singing in church and writing songs before she even learned to read. She began her professional career at the age of 10, performing on local television and radio shows in Knoxville, Tennessee, and made her Grand Ole Opry debut at 13. Shortly after graduating from high school in 1964, she moved to Nashville, determined to pursue a career in music.

Early Songs: “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You”

Dolly Parton’s musical career began to gain significant momentum in 1967 when she joined forces with country singer Porter Wagoner on The Porter Wagoner Show. Their collaboration quickly became a cultural sensation, leading to numerous successful recordings. While Parton was often noted for her striking physical presence—standing at just 5 feet tall with a shapely figure—her warm personality and keen business acumen defined her as a thoughtful, visionary artist. Early in her career, she took decisive steps to safeguard the publishing rights to her song catalog, a strategy that has proved immensely lucrative, earning her millions in royalties.

Parton’s partnership with Wagoner paved the way for her contract with RCA Records. After a series of successful singles, she achieved her first No. 1 country hit in 1971 with “Joshua,” a bluegrass-inspired ballad about love between two lonely souls. This was followed by iconic tracks such as the haunting “Jolene” in 1973, where a woman implores another not to take her man, and “I Will Always Love You” in 1974, a poignant farewell tribute to Wagoner as their professional relationship concluded. Notably, Elvis Presley expressed interest in covering “I Will Always Love You,” but Parton declined his manager, Colonel Tom Parker’s, request for half the song’s publishing rights. Other hits from this prolific period included the ethereal “Love Is Like a Butterfly,” the provocative “The Bargain Store,” the spiritual “The Seeker,” and the lively “All I Can Do.” For her impressive body of work, Parton was honored with the CMA Award for Female Vocalist in both 1975 and 1976.

In 1977, Parton achieved her first crossover success with the catchy and bittersweet “Here You Come Again,” which reached No. 1 on the country charts and climbed to No. 3 on the pop charts, earning her a Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance. More emotionally charged No. 1 hits followed, including “It’s All Wrong, But It’s Alright,” “Heartbreaker,” and “Starting Over Again,” a ballad penned by disco icon Donna Summer. Throughout her career, Parton has thrived through numerous successful collaborations, including the 1983 smash “Islands in the Stream,” a duet with Kenny Rogers that topped the Billboard Hot 100. In 1987, she further showcased her talents by recording the Grammy Award-winning album Trio with Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt.

Movies: 9 to 5 and More

Reaching the pinnacle of her mainstream success, Parton made her film debut in the 1980 comedy 9 to 5, co-starring with Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin. In the film, she portrayed a secretary who, alongside her colleagues, conspires against their egotistical and sexist boss, drawing attention to workplace harassment and discrimination. In addition to her acting role, Parton contributed to the film’s soundtrack; the title track, with its unforgettable opening lines, became another No. 1 hit on both the Billboard Hot 100 and the country chart. For “9 to 5,” Parton received two Grammy Awards for Best Country Song and Best Female Country Vocal Performance, as well as an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song.

Following 9 to 5, Parton starred alongside Burt Reynolds and Dom DeLuise in the musical The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982), which reintroduced a new audience to her classic “I Will Always Love You.” She continued her film career with the 1984 musical comedy Rhinestone, portraying a country singer attempting to transform an obnoxious New York cab driver, played by Sylvester Stallone, into a successful country artist.

Parton’s acting repertoire expanded to include notable films such as Steel Magnolias (1989), Straight Talk (1992), Unlikely Angel (1996), Frank McKlusky, C.I. (2002), and Joyful Noise (2012). Additionally, she hosted her own variety television show in both 1976 and 1987-88.

In 2015, Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors, a television biopic about her childhood, aired, starring Alyvia Alyn Lind as young Dolly and Jennifer Nettles from the musical duo Sugarland as her mother. In 2020, A&E released a two-hour documentary, Biography: Dolly, chronicling Parton’s extraordinary journey from her early days in Nashville to her flourishing music empire.

Dollywood and Other Business Ventures

Parton diversified her career in the 1980s by investing her substantial earnings into various business ventures. In 1986, she opened Dollywood, a theme park located in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, which remains a popular tourist destination today. Located near her hometown, Parton expressed her desire to give back to the community, stating, “I always thought that if I made it big or got successful at what I had started out to do, I wanted to come back to my part of the country and do something great, something that would bring a lot of jobs into this area.” Today, Dollywood attracts approximately 3 million visitors annually.

Parton co-owns The Dollywood Company, which manages several entertainment properties, including the water park Dollywood’s Splash Country, the dinner attraction Dolly Parton’s Stampede, and the DreamMore Resort and Spa. Her 50 percent ownership stake in Dollywood alone is estimated to be worth approximately $165 million, according to a 2021 Forbes article.

More Music and 2024 Album

In 1992, Whitney Houston’s rendition of Parton’s “I Will Always Love You” for The Bodyguard propelled the song to unprecedented heights, topping the pop charts for 14 weeks and becoming one of the best-selling singles of all time. “When Whitney did it, I got all the money for the publishing and for the writing, and I bought a lot of cheap wigs,” Parton quipped in an interview with Anderson Cooper. The following year, she collaborated with Loretta Lynn and Tammy Wynette on the album Honky Tonk Angels. In 1995, Parton revisited her iconic song in a duet with Vince Gill. In 1999, she explored her Appalachian roots with The Grass Is Blue, featuring contributions from Alison Krauss and Patty Loveless, earning her sixth Grammy for Best Bluegrass Album. That same year, Parton was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame and won another Grammy in 2001 for “Shine” from her album Little Sparrow.

Continuing her musical journey, Parton released Backwoods Barbie in February 2008, featuring singles such as “Better Get to Livin’” and “Jesus & Gravity.” In August 2011, she launched Better Day, which included songs written for the Broadway adaptation of 9 to 5. After a 30-year hiatus, Parton released A Holly Dolly Christmas in August 2020, featuring collaborations with artists like Michael Bublé, Billy Ray Cyrus, Miley Cyrus, and Willie Nelson.

In November 2022, Parton announced her plans to release her first rock album, Rockstar, as a response to her nomination for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Released a year later, the album features covers of famous rock songs alongside collaborations with numerous artists, including Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Elton John, Sting, Lizzo, and Pat Benatar. Rockstar debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Albums Sales chart, selling over 118,000 copies in its first week, and reached No. 3 on the Billboard 200.

Looking ahead, Parton is set to release her new country album, Smoky Mountain DNA — Family, Faith & Fables, on November 15, 2024. The 37-track album will feature contributions from several family members, including her sister Rachel and niece Heidi.

Net Worth and Imagination Library

Parton’s estimated net worth stands at approximately $650 million, stemming from her music, films, Dollywood theme park, and various business ventures. She also launched her own cosmetics line, Dolly Beauty, in August 2024. A significant portion of her wealth comes from her strategic ownership of her song catalog, valued at around $150 million as of 2021. She reportedly earned $20 million in royalties from Houston’s cover of “I Will Always Love You” alone.

Philanthropically, Parton has utilized her wealth to support various charitable initiatives. In 1996, she established the Dollywood Foundation with the aim of enhancing literacy among young children through the Dolly’s Imagination Library program, which donates over 10 million books to children each year. “They call me the Book Lady,” she shared in a 2006 interview. “That’s what the little kids say when they get their books in the mail. They think I bring them and put them in the mailbox myself, like Peter Rabbit or something.” Although many of her charitable efforts are conducted anonymously, Parton has made significant contributions to her community, providing scholarships, donating to hospitals, and supplying technology and materials for classrooms.

In the wake of the 2016 wildfires that devastated Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and surrounding areas, Parton helped raise $12.5 million to support victims and facilitate rebuilding efforts. She also provided guidance to Oprah Winfrey and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson during their fundraising initiatives following the 2023 Maui fires.

Parton donated $1 million to Vanderbilt University Medical Center during the COVID-19 pandemic to aid in the early development of the Moderna vaccine. Upon the vaccine’s availability, she publicly encouraged vaccination by filming herself receiving the shot and creatively adapting her iconic song “Jolene” to emphasize the importance of vaccination.

Dolly Parton continues to exemplify resilience, strength, and an unwavering commitment to her community, setting an inspiring example through her philanthropy, career longevity, and enduring popularity.

Husband and Goddaughter: Dolly Parton

Dolly Parton has been married to Carl Dean since 1966. The couple met two years earlier at a Nashville laundromat called the Wishy Washy. On their 50th wedding anniversary, they renewed their vows, a testament to their enduring partnership. Parton has described Dean as someone who prefers to maintain a low profile, stating, “My husband is not one who wants to be just thrown out there. He’s very private, and I’ve always respected that for him and about him.” Although Parton does not have children of her own, her philanthropic efforts are deeply focused on helping young people. In a 2017 interview on the Today show, she remarked, “God has a plan for everything. I think it probably was his plan for me not to have kids so everybody’s kids could be mine. And they are now.” Among those children is her goddaughter, pop singer and actress Miley Cyrus, who is also a distant cousin.

Hello, I’m Dolly: Musical and Books

In June 2024, Parton announced that her life will be reimagined in the upcoming Broadway musical titled Hello, I’m Dolly, set to debut in 2026. Named after her 1976 debut album, the musical will explore her journey from childhood to country stardom and will feature both songs from her extensive discography and original music penned by Parton herself. While casting details have yet to be confirmed, there is speculation that the musical may star her goddaughter, Miley Cyrus.

Parton has also chronicled her life through literature. She penned her 1994 memoir, Dolly: My Life and Other Unfinished Business, and the 2012 book Dream More: Celebrate the Dreamer in You. In 2023, she published Behind the Seams: My Life in Rhinestones, which documents her evolving style over the decades. Additionally, in 2022, Parton collaborated with best-selling author James Patterson to co-write the thriller novel Run, Rose, Run, centered around an aspiring country singer. Most recently, she released Good Lookin’ Cookin’, a cookbook co-authored with her sister Rachel, in September 2024, featuring over 80 recipes. Her children’s book, Dolly Parton’s Billy the Kid Comes Home for Christmas, was published in early October 2024.