Dolly Parton: The Tennessee Legacy That Goes Beyond Music
A life built on music, generosity, and a deep love for Tennessee
Dolly Parton during the early years of her career. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
In Tennessee, we were blessed with the great Dolly Parton on January 19, 1946. This was the beginning of a legacy that would go on to shape not only country music, but Tennessee itself. Dolly Parton started her music career in the mid-1950s with regular performances on the Cas Walker Show in Knoxville. At just 10 years old, Dolly was already performing for audiences and showing the world the voice and talent that would eventually make her a music legend. By 1959, Dolly had released “Little Tiny Tassletop,” one of her earliest recorded songs. This was one of the first steps in a career that would eventually make her one of the most recognized country music artists in the world. At just 13 years old, Dolly made her first appearance at the Grand Ole Opry. She was one of the youngest singers to perform on the legendary stage during that time. During her first Opry performance, Johnny Cash introduced the young Dolly to the audience. She performed George Jones’ “You Gotta Be My Baby.” For a young girl from East Tennessee, performing at the Grand Ole Opry was a major moment. It was the beginning of what would become a lifelong connection between Dolly Parton and the state that she called home. By 1965, Dolly had signed with Monument Records and continued building her career in country music. She later released her debut studio album, “Hello, I’m Dolly,” and joined The Porter Wagoner Show. Her early success showed not only her beautiful voice, but also her passion, determination, and love for country music. But Dolly Parton’s legacy would eventually become about much more than music.
In 1988, Dolly Parton founded the Dollywood Foundation in Sevierville, Tennessee. One of the foundation’s early programs was the Buddy Program, which promised $500 to seventh- and eighth-grade students who stayed in school and graduated from high school. The program became an important part of Dolly’s efforts to encourage young people to finish their education. It was reported to have helped reduce the high school dropout rate in Sevierville from 36% to 6%. The Buddy Program helped pave the way for another one of Dolly’s most important contributions, the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. The Imagination Library provides free books to children from birth to age 5, to encourage a love of reading and improve childhood literacy. For Dolly, this program was also deeply personal. Dolly’s father, Robert Lee Parton, never learned how to read or write. His experience helped inspire Dolly’s desire to ensure children had the opportunity to learn to read at a young age, so they could have greater success in school and throughout their lives. What began as an effort to help children in Dolly’s home community eventually grew into a much larger mission. The Dolly Parton Imagination Library has expanded far beyond Tennessee and has provided millions of books to children around the world.
Dolly Parton performs on the Grand Ole Opry stage. Photo by Alan Light, licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
The Dollywood Foundation has continued to expand throughout the years and has supported Tennessee in many different ways. Dolly has helped provide educational opportunities, including scholarships for students who want to continue their education. She has also supported communities during some of Tennessee’s most difficult moments. When devastating wildfires struck Sevier County in 2016, Dolly stepped up to help families who had lost their homes and belongings. Her support provided assistance to people in the community that she grew up around and has always remained connected to. Her charitable work has continued through disaster relief, education, literacy, and other efforts to help Tennessee communities. The impact of Dolly Parton cannot simply be measured by the number of records she has sold, the awards she has received, or the songs she has written. It can be measured by the children who received books. It can be measured by the students who stayed in school. It can be measured by the families who received help during some of Tennessee’s darkest moments. And it can be measured by the countless people who have been inspired by her story.
Dolly Parton is not just a music legend. She is a part of Tennessee. Her career began here. Her roots are here. Some of her greatest charitable work began here. And throughout her life, she has continued to give back to the people and communities that helped shape her. Her life has become an example for so many people in Tennessee and around the world. Dolly has shown that success does not have to mean forgetting where you came from. Instead, success can give you the opportunity to help the people who helped you get there. We remember Dolly Parton for her incredible music, her beautiful voice, her songwriting, and her unmistakable personality. But we should also remember her for her kindness. We should remember the books placed into the hands of children, the students encouraged to finish school, the families helped after disaster, and the communities supported when they needed it most. Because Dolly Parton’s story is not simply the story of a girl from Tennessee who became a country music legend. It is the story of a Tennessee girl who became a global icon and never forgot home. And perhaps that is what makes Dolly Parton’s legacy so special. Tennessee gave the world Dolly Parton. And Dolly Parton has spent her life giving back to Tennessee.
