The Life of Dolly Parton - Coursework Example

You're 8 May 2006 The History in behind Dolly Parton Dolly Parton was born in Sevierville, Tennessee and came from a very large family. In fact she is just one out of 12 siblings, raised rather humbly on a farm that was encircled by the Smoky Mountains, of which she often comments about. At the young age of ten, Dolly became a famous child celebrity on the 'Case Walker Show' which was broadcast out of Knoxville, TN (Pigeon-Forge 2006). Her career initially began when she was 13 at the Grand Ole Opry, and since then has gained in popularity (Sevierville 2000). During her 13th year of age, at stardom, the Grand Ole Opry wasn't the only achievement she made. She cut her first CD at that age with Gold Band Records. The name of the song was, "Puppy Love" which many people from the south are sure to be able to remember (Morning Edition 2002). When Dolly graduated from High-School she wanted to further her developing singing career so she packed up and moved to the big city of Nashville. She hit big with 'Porter Wagon' and for seven years on his show she built up her career rather fluidly. She finally decided to leave the program but before doing so she received two Country Music Association Awards for duo of the year (Pigeon-Forge 2006). From there her career has grown to vast proportions and is still growing in her other endeavors which includes two books that she has put together, and she even plans on having more published. However the two that have been out for quite some time are, "Dolly Parton: My Life", and "Other Unfinished Business" (Pigeon Forge 2006). On top of her more famous works, she also is very affluent in the business world, having developed many attractions in her hometown. Also, every year there is a parade in Pigeon Forge which Dolly is a part of, this year will mark the 6th year of that parade. It is perceived that she enjoys it just as much as her fans enjoy coming out to stand in the crowd and wave as her float goes by. The parade itself draws 50,000 people that line the sides of the streets just to have a chance to see the famous country singer. There are numerous floats that are incorporated in with Dolly's but she is the main part of the annual parade every year. There are quite often times every year where Dolly's float stops in the streets while she sings one of her more famous songs that are hits with the crowd. This year she will be turning 60 years old and still going strong with her many personal projects, as well as her music, and business plans. Furthermore, Dolly has been a part of many fundraisers in her life thus far and has made many contributions to society as a whole. In fact, among these, she has developed one of the most famously known theme parks in the south known now as "Dollywood" which lies in the heart of Sevierville, Tennessee (Sevierville 2000). Dolly wanted to contribute something back to her home of the Great Smoky Mountains, but not only this she wanted to try and develop more employment opportunities for the people who live there. By opening her theme park in 1986 she has indeed provided extra employment and essential income for many of the families in the area as it has become the #1 State attraction in Tennessee, drawing over 2 million vacationers every year (The Songwriters Hall of Fame 2002-2006). Because of her presence and renowned history in the town of Sevierville, the city of Pigeon Forge has become one of the hottest points for well known country star singers, bringing thousands of visitors with every year that passes. Dolly Parton's career has been ongoing for over four decades now and she has been introduced into the country hall of fame as well. There was a point in time however well she felt her appearance might have held her back from several opportunities but by how much she has never said for a certainty. Her comment about how she felt about herself when she was in her much younger form is included in the following paragraph. I had this piled up mop of bleached blonde hair, and these boobs sticking out, and my clothes skin tight. That was a country girl's idea of what glamour was. It served me well, being a woman I know that the way I look has held me back some, but I'm not sure I've been held back much considering where I come from (Morning Edition 2002). It has to be true, that although perhaps her image was a turn off to some people in the music and TV industry it has not kept her from promoting her skills in the music business. She has never been one to focus on any negativity in her life for very long and in fact this is obvious as some of her music has become extremely famous and she has had the opportunity to perform with some other very big time names, one being Kenny Rogers. However, some of her most famous songs that have been recognized are titles like, "Coat of Many Colors", and "I Will Always Love You", just to name a couple (The Songwriters Hall of Fame 2002-2006). Not only has she made her mark in the area of Country music history but she also has been in many TV series' and movies as well, some of these being, "9 to 5, Steel Magnolia's, and The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas", although these are not the only films she has stared in. She has proven that she is a very multi-talented individual with the various tasks she has been involved in. Some of her time is devoted to her personal project known as the, "Imagination Library" for young children (Imagination Library 2006). Dolly Parton developed this reading program to benefit children who are disadvantaged due to financial barriers, much like she faced when she was growing up in Tennessee. However, this was not the only reason that she planned for this project. Dolly Parton wants children to read and believes it paves the way to their future. Her goal in the first five years of Imagination Library was to distribute more than 200,000 books to pre-schoolers spread out through the area of Sevier County, and she did achieve that goal (Towell 2001). Dolly wanted to know that children who could not afford to buy books were still having the opportunity to read instead of sitting and watching music videos and cartoons. She has indeed changed many lives with this wonderful program for under-privileged children. Also, this program brings a large variety of literature for parents to read to their children so that they can build upon their kids' love of reading as well. As has been mentioned, Dolly's program assists families who otherwise would not be able to afford to acquire these books for their children to enjoy. This is just one of the individual projects that Dolly developed towards her goal of bringing more happiness and joy into the lives of children in various parts of the state of Tennessee, who are enduring various hardships in their lives. Furthermore, Dolly's personal history details to the world of country music lovers that she has always excelled in her dreams and it is something that she has publicly passed on to other aspiring artists whether in music, writing, or to those who have other ambitions that they are trying to obtain. From a personal standpoint, her life has not always been one that was easy as she has had to work extremely hard to get to where she is today and in that regard she is an inspiration to many budding artists all around the world. Even though Dolly admits that life was hard growing up she has remarked time and again that she would not change it for anything because the experiences that she gained are what she has claimed have made her into the person she is today. She has shared in many different emotional periods in her life, especially her younger years where she has stated that these were what developed her foundation to write her music because the feelings of harmony, sadness, serenity, heartbreak, and rapture, are what have been her true inspirations (Songwriters Hall of Fame 2002-2006). Dolly has claimed that the art of music has been her heart and soul her entire life, and her father has even stated that before she could even wholly talk it seemed she was singing songs. Fortune and Fame have not changed Dolly's heart and she remains a down home southern country gal as her following quote clearly shows, I've always believed things would go well and I dreamed that they would even before I was in high-school. I always wanted to be a star. It just seemed natural to me. I now know, of course, that I have been very lucky. But then I never got discouraged or disheartened- I knew it would be there. I felt I could out step anything that came in my way. I really think that is why I have been successful because I have so much determination and believed so strongly that everything would turn out good (Songwriters Hall of Fame 2002-2006). Indeed, Dolly's words are absolutely correct for it would seem that it has been her own drive and perseverance to succeed that has developed her into the superstar she is today. At the same time her heart is set into so many good causes and this author believes that because she promotes the essence of a good and kind spirit she is sure to meet with positive things in her life. It is a part of her character and one that she openly discusses to the public. Honestly her down home country side is what draws people to her because she doesn't exhume a persona that is one saying, "I'm better than you", it is quite the opposite. She is a woman who is aware that it is the devotion of her many fans and the support of her family and friends that have aspired her to her position in the entertainment business. Dolly Parton has definitely been an aspiring success to many budding stars, which has been stated. Since she has gotten older her career has continued to develop, and she still has the ability to woe a crowd as was proven in 2002 in the state of Washington. At a very well known club of 20 to 30 year olds, Dolly Parton dazzled the public with her music style that she has been gracing the world with for decades now, letting it be known that she still has what it takes to make a lasting impression (Morning Edition 2002). Dolly agreed to an interview with Bob Edwards, a reporter with NBR news to explain her path to success and to give a little bit more information about her and the roads that she has traveled to get to where she is. She also has just released her latest CD titled, "Halos & Horns" which is a little different from her previous styles but still has the pizzazz the public is use to receiving from her. Also, the majority of the songs that are on this third CD with 'Sugar Hill Records' are emphasized to have been written by Dolly herself (Sugar Hill Records 2006). It has been famously stated that Dolly Parton has proven she has the heart and soul to continue to thrive in the music business, and she is doing so. This most recent CD by her however was developed in Tennessee, right in Knoxville not far from where she grew up. Much of the music flowed quite naturally for her and it happened to be one of the easiest she has come up with, as she passes this off as the inspiration from being so close to home. "These songs came straight from my gut, my soul, and my heart. I do believe that as long as I continue singing what is real, people will always accept me" (Sugar Hill Records 2006). She does have doubts about herself which she has expressed in the past, and some of these she mentioned once again with her interview with Edwards. Her following comment shows that she is such a dedicated individual and wants people to know that despite her outward appearance and all the fame she is the same gal that was born in the country state of Tennessee, with the same values and old-fashioned morals she was raised with. I want to believe-and I do believe, that eventually people will see that underneath all this hair, there is a brain and underneath these bi Ole boobs, there's even a bigger heart (Morning Edition 2002). Dolly's comments and warm open heartedness are again what has won her the place she has with the general public in the United States. She told Edwards that when she first began her career in the 50's she was concerned that when people heard her name the only image that would come to mind as a woman with bleached blonde hair and a ample bosom. However through the decades she has developed a very powerful image and has become an icon for a number of female country singers as well as a role model for young girls in the United States. What is not so famously known about Parton is the fact that she has written many pieces of music for other famous singers, one of them being Whitney Houston with the song, "I Will Always Love You." (Morning Edition 2002). As has been said though, through all of her successes she continuously focuses on her past and her childhood, especially on what it was like growing up with the bare minimum to get by. She claims that it was this type of lifestyle that taught her money is not the key to happiness and it can never replace the meaning of a family in a person's life. Again, her own words bring out the true person who makes up Dolly Parton. We barely made it, but we did make it. We had music, and that got us through a lot of very hard times. If you've got a faith in God, a great sense of humor, and music, how hard can it be (Morning Edition 2002). Dolly Parton's fame is indeed well deserved as has been stated she began with nothing and flourished into one of the most outstanding country singers that the United States has every had the pleasure of knowing. Her endearing qualities are again what bring such an inspiration to many people everywhere and to her growing fame. In conclusion, a website by Menguando (2006) notes that there is truth to be told in the fact that Dolly Parton is indeed a role model to many women, as has been mentioned. One comment by a group of women was in regards to Dolly Parton. Their comments are shown to view her as a woman that that is one of the greatest country singers of them all. The following quote shows exactly how strong of a presence Dolly Parton has among the female gender in America. Dolly Parton is the most famous, most universally beloved, and most widely respected woman who has ever emerged from country music, a role model not only for other country singers but for working women everywhere (Menguando 2006). Most definitely Dolly Parton will go down in the music history books just as Elvis Presley did. However, her spirit will live on in millions of people throughout the country. Dolly is truly a marvel in country music and a woman who women can truly relate to. Works Cited Imagination Library. "Dolly's Imagination Library." 2005. Penguin Publications. 8 May. 2006 http://www.imaginationlibrary.com Meguando, Jesse. "The Indelible Dolly Parton." 2006. Gay Today: People. 8 May. 2006 Morning Edition. "Dolly Parton's Stairway to Success." 2002. NPR News Online. 8 May. 2006 Pigeon Forge. "Dolly Parade." 2006. Pigeon-Forge.Com. 8 May. 2006 Sevierville Chamber of Commerce. "Sevierville." May. 2000. Sevierville Chamber of Commerce. 8 May. 2006 http://www.smoky2000.com/sevierville-tennessee.html The Songwriters Hall of Fame. "Dolly Parton." 2001. The Songwriters Hall of Fame. 8 May. 2006 http://www.songwritershalloffame.org/inductee_ceremony_detail.aspceremonyId=13&inducteeCeremonyId=100 Sugar Hill Records. "Dolly Parton: Halos and Horns." 2006. Sugar Hill Records. 8 May. 2006 Towell, Janet. "Using Celebrities to Motivate Students to Read." The Reading Teacher 55, (2001) Read More