Celebrating the Legacy of Dolly Parton

Fox & Friends recently revisited memorable moments with Dolly Parton as Steve Doocy joined the show to honor the life, career, and charitable contributions of the iconic singer following her passing at 80 years old. Parton’s influence spanned music, movies, and philanthropy over nearly seven decades.

Early Career and Breakthrough

Dolly Parton began her journey in entertainment after moving to Nashville, Tennessee, in 1964 right after her high school graduation. She gained recognition by releasing her debut album, Hello, I’m Dolly, in 1967. This led her to join Porter Wagoner on his TV show, providing her with national exposure and winning her first Grammy nomination in 1970 for their duets.

Solo Success

Parton embarked on a solo career in 1974. Her single Love Is Like a Butterfly topped the Billboard country charts quickly. She continued to produce hits, including Grammy-winning songs such as Here You Come Again. She reached No. 1 on the Billboard charts 26 times with songs like The Bargain Store.

Iconic Songwriting

Parton’s songwriting talents shone through in songs like I Will Always Love You, written in 1973. Upon leaving Wagoner’s show, she composed the emotional piece for him. Whitney Houston later made the song famous, staying at No. 1 for 14 weeks and earning two Grammy Awards.

Variety Shows

Parton showcased her talent in hosting with two variety shows, Dolly! in 1976 and Dolly in 1987. Both shows engaged audiences through guest appearances and diverse performances.

Partnerships and Collaborations

Throughout her career, Parton collaborated with other artists, yielding massive hits. Her duet Islands in the Stream with Kenny Rogers in 1983 was a crossover success, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Movie Career

Parton transitioned to film with her debut in 9 to 5 in 1980, earning Golden Globe nominations. She followed with roles in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas and Steel Magnolias, broadening her entertainment reach.

Award Achievements

Over her illustrious career, Parton accumulated numerous awards, including 55 Grammy nominations with 10 wins. Her music also received Academy Award nods, and she gained accolades in TV with an Emmy Award win.

Recognition and Honors

Beyond awards, Parton earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and was inducted into multiple halls of fame. In 2022, she entered the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, affirming her status as a legendary figure in entertainment.

Philanthropy

Parton founded the Imagination Library in 1995 to provide free books to children, inspired by her father’s illiteracy. The program has distributed over 330 million books globally.

Dollywood Theme Park

In 1986, Parton launched Dollywood in Tennessee, offering entertainment and employment to the local community. The park attracts about four million visitors annually.

Songwriting for Others

Aside from her tracks, Parton wrote songs for a range of artists, including Merle Haggard and Waylon Jennings. Her songwriting catalog lists over 3,000 titles.