Dolly

Dolly Parton turns 77 today. I could try and write a blog post about her life and career, but you’ve read so much of it before. Instead, I’ll give you ten interesting facts about Dolly:

1. According to the book Eastern Sevier County, Parton’s father Robert, paid the doctor who helped deliver her, with a sack of oatmeal.

2. Dolly has earned two Guinness World Records - Most Decades with a Top 20 hit on the US Hot Country Songs Chart and Most Hits on US Hot Country Songs Chart by a Female Artist.

3. She turned Elvis down - The story goes that Elvis Presley wanted to record “I Will Always Love You” but on the day of the recording, Presley’s manager, Colonel Tom Parker, told Dolly that they wouldn’t record it if they didn’t get half the publishing rights. That was a big no from Dolly.

4. No rides for Dolly - Despite her love of Dollywood, her famous theme park that opened in 1986, Dolly refuses to ride any of the rides. She tends to get motion sick and is also worried that her wig could fly off!

5. Dolly is an EGOT: Meaning, she is one of an elite group of people to receive at least one nomination from all four major American award organizations: Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony.

6. Dolly has an unheard “secret song” locked away at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort that won’t be released until 2045.

7. She wrote “Jolene” about a bank teller. The story goes that a bank teller would flirt with Parton’s husband, Carl Dean, who Parton said also loved the attention. The name Jolene came from a fan Dolly met (whose name was Jolene).

8. Dolly has some hidden tattoos. They’re not meant to be tattoos for the sake of tattoos. She’s fair skinned and when she’s had surgeries or any kind of scarring, she’s covered that up with tattoos.

9. She lost a Dolly Parton look-alike contest. It was a Halloween contest and she over-exaggerated her look, only to lose.

10. When she tours, Parton never sleeps in hotels. She hates packing and unpacking so instead, she’ll just stay in her tour bus the whole time.

We will always love Dolly! It's impossible for me to pick my favorite Dolly song, so here are a couple favorites that maybe aren't as well known.