# data[].attributes.body
-Generous
-Altruistic
-Empathetic
-Kind
-Caring
-Hardworking
-Passionate
-she holds two Guinness records

# data[].attributes.body
-11 Grammy Awards
-Won scademy of Country Music Awards
- American Music Awards
-British Country Music Awards
-CMT Music Awards
-European Country Music Association Awards
-Peoples Choice Awards
- and much much more

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Dolly Parton - Backwoods Barbie (Official Music Video)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers - Islands In the Stream (Official Audio)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
ABSTRACT
Singer-songwriter Dolly Parton has increasingly been using transmedia storytelling in a distinctive way, by retelling some of her signature songs in new contexts and turning them into television movies and series rooted in her autobiography. Her expansion of her classic songs into new texts on different media platforms illuminates recent trends in how star images are evolving. It reflects how Parton joins other musicians in marketing their star image as a brand, part of a neoliberal branding of the star as entrepreneurial self. Parton often merges her life story with narratives in her lyrics, drawing on her autobiography for storytelling and personal mythology. She uses her life narrative extensively in her projection of authenticity, fashioning a stage persona and media image featuring a particular version of sincerity. This essay focuses on two recent examples of retold Parton songs, the '9 to 5' advertisement and an episode of the Netflix television series based on her earlier song 'Two Doors Down' (1977). Through historicised textual analysis and discussion of cultural theory, the essay shows the evolution of her authenticity narrative, how her transmedia storytelling illuminates trends of musicians marketed as brands, and how her star image generates new meanings via retold songs.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Leigh H. Edwards
Leigh H. Edwards is Professor of English at Florida State University. She is the author of the books Dolly Parton, Gender, and Country Music (Indiana University Press, 2018, winner of the Foreword Book of the Year Award), Johnny Cash and the Paradox of American Identity (Indiana University Press, 2009), and The Triumph of Reality TV: The Revolution in American Television (Praeger, 2013). A scholar of American literature and popular culture from the nineteenth century to the present, she focuses on intersections of gender and race in popular music, television, and new media. Her work has appeared in Feminist Media Studies, The Journal of Popular Culture, Journal of Popular Television, Film & History, Narrative, FLOW, Journal of Popular Music Studies, Global Media Journal, Journal of American Studies, and Southern Cultures. She is on the advisory board of the Institute for Bob Dylan Studies, and on the editorial boards of Journal of Popular Television and The Popular Culture Studies Journal.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
'Dolly "5 to 9": manufactured authenticity, transmedia storytelling, and Parton's star image'

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
ABSTRACT Singer-songwriter Dolly Parton has increasingly been using transmedia storytelling in a distinctive way, by retelling some of her signature songs in new contexts and turning them into television movies and series rooted in her autobiography. Her expansion of her classic songs into new texts on different media platforms illuminates recent trends in how star images are evolving.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
9 to 5 (1980) Trailer #1 | Movieclips Classic Trailers

# data[].attributes.body
-Parton earned her second Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song for 'travelling Thru' which she wrote specifically for the feature film Transamerica(2005) Due acceptance of a transgender woman, Parton received death threats.
-Released her first single with Dolly Records.
-Released more songs and albums and went on her biggest tour.
-Parton performed at Glastonbury for the first time in 2014.
-Dolly Parton challenge arose when she posted 4 pictures on social media.
-In 2020 Parton made plans to release her first holiday album.
-In October 2022 Parton stated in an interview that she was done touring.

# data[].attributes.body
-She released 'Trio' with Linda Ronstadtand Emmylou Harris spending five weeks at number one on Billboard's Country Albums chart,
-Although Parton's career appeared to be revived, it was actually just a brief revival before contemporary country music came in the early 1990s.
- Did a duet with Ricky Van Shelton and it reached number one.
- In 1994, Parton contributed the song "You Gotta Be My Baby" to the AIDS benefit album.

# data[].attributes.body
-Between 1974 and 1980 had a series of country hits, with eight singles reaching number one. Influence on pop culture is reflected by the many performers covering her songs, including mainstream and crossover artists such as Olivia Newton-John.
-Attempted to aim her music in more mainstream direction and increase awareness outisde of country music.
-1977's 'Here You Come Again', became her first million-seller and topping the country album chart.
-1978 won Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance.
-1981 release of '9 to 5' which topped the country and pop charts.

# data[].attributes.body
Dolly performed at the Rock Hall of Fame in Los Angeles.

# data[].attributes.body
Dolly Parton still holding her guitar, still pleasing her audiences, and still signing. She preformed at Glastonbury in-front of millions of people. Dolly did not think the show would be successful as she was not sure what demographics she still appealed too but she did Dolly and blew everyone away. Still looking glam.

# data[].attributes.body
Dolly's Netflix series was released where we understand the meanings behind the songs and how her appearance has been shaped.

# data[].attributes.body
This has been an important aspect to Dolly keeping her authentic self as In her autobiography as well as in her interviews and songwriting, she discusses her life story of growing up in poverty in the Smoky Mountains in East Tennessee. Many of her song lyrics reflect on this.

# data[].attributes.body
Dolly has always kept up with her appearance and has never lost the bib blonde wigs, makeup, big gowns and fake nails. This has been a part of keeping her image authentic to the audience as even when she is criticised she is still loved.

# data[].attributes.body
-1967 Porter Wagoner invited Dolly to join organisation offering a regular spot on his TV show.
-Her solos for two years were not as successful as her duets with Wagoner.
-From 1971 she stared producing solo hits ( first number one single 'Joshua')
-Her biggest hit of this period was 'Jolene' released in 1973.
-Parton left Wagoner- wrote a song about her professional break with Wagoner 'I Will Always Love You' and it went to number one.

# data[].attributes.body
In her podcast she talks about how she wants her music to live on forever and for no one to forget her. She has wrote thousands of songs to carry on her legacy.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
In this intensely divided moment, one of the few things everyone still seems to agree on is Dolly Parton-but why? That simple question leads to a deeply personal, historical, and musical rethinking of one of America's great icons. Join us for a 9-episode journey into the Dollyverse. Hosted by Jad Abumrad, creator of Radiolab and More Perfect.
Dolly Parton's America is co-produced by OSM Audio and WNYC Studios.

In this intensely divided moment, one of the few things everyone still seems to agree on is Dolly Parton-but why? That simple question leads to a deeply personal, historical, and musical rethinking of one of America's great icons. Join us for a 9-episode journey into the Dollyverse. Hosted by Jad Abumrad, creator of Radiolab and More Perfect.
Dolly Parton's America is co-produced by OSM Audio and WNYC Studios.

Never knew Dolly was so cool

Thank you for allowing me into such a cool lady's life.

Wonderful, especially for new fans

I thoroughly enjoyed this podcast series! I'm a Dolly fan, although not the most fanatical of fans. The drawback of this series is also a strength- the producers asked a lot of questions that most Dolly fans already know. About half of the content can be found anywhere that Dolly fans might look. I would have liked for those well-known and long-recited stories and quotes to have been the base of *new* questions. However, it does make for a good starting place for new fans.

The content respects her wide variety of musical talent and her song writing genius. It delves into a fascinating historical analysis of why the Jolene melody is so unique and special; a nice little plunge into the contradictions of hillbilly culture (and how Dolly has never abandoned her roots); a respectful reminder of Dolly as a product of her times (for example in the controversy of her Love of "Dixie" and accidental offense toward civil rights activists); a reminder of her unconditional support of LBGQT rights; overall, Dolly as a beacon of love, acceptance, and forgiveness. If you have ever wondered what's the big deal about Dolly, you'll enjoy this podcast. If you're already a Dolly fan, you'll find some fun new content and probably won't mind the repetition of the oldies but goodies.

Sounds like it's Playing back at 1.5 X speed

Love it otherwise

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
‎Dolly Parton's America on Apple Podcasts

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
‎In this intensely divided moment, one of the few things everyone still seems to agree on is Dolly Parton-but why? That simple question leads to a deeply personal, historical, and musical rethinking of one of America's great icons. Join us for a 9-episode journey into the Dollyverse. Hosted by Jad Ab...

# data[].attributes.body
-Parton's retelling of life story is trans media storytelling.
-Evolving authenticity narrative- unites a diverse fanbase.
-In the 'Two Doors Down' episode she critiques homophobia and centres her song around a gay couple.
-From the idea as Dolly as a uniter, positioning star image and brand at forefront.
-Diverse crowds set aside differences to unite over Dolly- creating a positive star image.
-Each episode focuses on cogent social issues and please for social change- scoping star image to be positive again.

# data[].attributes.body
-The advert subverted the original song message.
-Incorporates versus from original but adds new lyrics to advertise the website Squarespace.
-Acted as product promotion for her perfume line as a women is holding a magazine with her face and perfume on.
-Dolly got criticised for the advert but commentators were quick to like her still-
-Shy away from Parton's authenticity image she had built up.

# data[].attributes.body
Parton’s advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights is in keeping with a progressive strain in the genre that is marginalised. Alongside this her fight for women in a predominantly masculine music culture has been a big inspiration too many people including the artists within.

# data[].attributes.body
Dolly's gender performance critiques country music’s authenticity narrative; female performers continue to face structural inequity in a male-dominated industry and do not have access to country radio.

# data[].attributes.body
Keeping to her Big wigs the talented star released her 28th solo album, Rainbow.

# data[].attributes.body
Parton related to her misunderstood sexpot secretary character in Nine to Five. 'I'm not selling sex,' she said. (Parton 1980) Parton was being sexualised eventhough this what not the image she was portraying a common characteristic of this era. Women are either sexualised or deemed pure.

# data[].attributes.body
"I'm aware I'm not in style, but it don't bother me, I like looking as if I came out of a fairy tale." (https://www.facebook.com/InStyle, 2018)

# data[].attributes.body
The rising star (who released two solo albums and performed with partner Porter Wagoner) had already adopted her trademark whipped cream wigs and frosty makeup. (https://www.facebook.com/InStyle, 2018)

# data[].attributes.body
"I always wanted to be prettier," Parton has said of her teenage self. "I got to fixin' myself up. I wanted my clothes tight, my makeup bright, my nails long, my lips red. I got into it." (https://www.facebook.com/InStyle, 2018)

# data[].attributes.body
Dolly's appearance throughout the years has shaped her star image and public opinions. She uses her image to be successful but depends on the sincerity of her songwriting (Celebrity Studies, 2018) to keep audiences engaged.

# data[].attributes.body
'If we ever had any makeup in the house,' her mother once told People of the budding beauty, 'Dolly'd grab it first.' (https://www.facebook.com/InStyle, 2018)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Dolly Parton photographed in the 1970s. Almay

Dolly Parton has many LGBTQ+ fans and has long been considered an enduring queer icon. Parton has spoken out on multiple occasions in support of LGBTQ+ rights and has also been vocal in support of marriage equality. She has also called out Christians for judging gay people, saying: "If you're gay, you're gay. If you're straight, you're straight. And you should be allowed to be how you are and who you are."

Parton's outspoken support for the LGBTQ+ community can first be seen way back in 1991 on the album Eagle When She Flies, which features the song Family, with its lyrics: "Some are preachers, some are gay, some are addicts, drunks and strays. But not a one is turned away when it's family."

But it is the title track on her Coat of Many Colors album, released 50 years ago this September, that resonates with so many LGBTQ+ fans. The song describes an episode from Parton's childhood growing up in rural poverty where her mother sews her a coat out of different coloured rags. For the young Parton, this gives her a sense of pride in herself as well as helping her stand out and receive attention from her parents (which with 12 siblings was no mean feat). But upon going to school the other children just see the rags and make fun of her.

From Shame To Pride

Parton from through feeling proud wearing the coat to shame at the hands of the other school children. She attempts to resolve this by reasserting a sense of pride: "One is only poor only if they choose to be." Far from blaming those who have no money for their misfortune, this line is about redirecting shame.

The song's reworking of shame is what enables it to travel and resonate with so many different listeners. In the recent BBC biopic, Dolly Parton: Here I Am (later released on Netflix), Parton describes the song as her "philosophy", saying: "It's OK to be different. You know, it's OK to not be like everybody else. In fact, it's not only OK, it's wonderful that you are who you are."

This transformation of shame into pride has long been a strategy used throughout LGBTQ+ history and politics. And the wearing of the coat of many colours has striking visual similarities with the LGBTQ+ pride flag - an image that has become increasingly resonant as Parton's LGBTQ+ advocacy has become more pronounced.

50 years on

Coat of Many Colors has now reached the ripe old age of 50, but it's still as relevant now as when it was released in October 1971. Nominated for album of the year at the 1972 Country Music Association Awards, it also appeared at Number 257 on Rolling Stone's 2020 list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

The album was released when Parton was still heavily connected to her musical partner Porter Wagoner. And Coat of Many Colors showed she was fast outgrowing him. The album was a defining moment for Parton to assert her agency and independent identity as an artist.

Coat of Many Colors continues to be one of Parton's most popular songs, as shown by the enthusiastic response to it during live shows.

The song also connects with audiences worldwide - Parton has a lot of fans in Nigeria and Kenya - due to its relatable story of family, struggle and acceptance. But as wonderful and historically significant as this song is, the Coat of Many Colors album has more than just one song of note.

Further gems

Parton wrote seven out of the ten songs on the album. All of them showcase the refinement and evolution of Parton's craft from the comic representations of sexuality in Traveling Man, where a young girl falls in love with her travelling man only for him to abandon her for her mother, to the evocative pastoral imagery of the mountain landscape where she grew up in Early Morning Breeze and My Blue Tears.

A key song that captures the essence of Parton's philosophy is Here I Am, which Parton recently re-recorded with Sia for the Netflix film Dumplin'. A gospel-inflected country song, Parton's vocals and lyrics enable its message to travel wide. Parton acknowledges the hardship of people's situations so that her message of belief is not invalidating.

Through Parton's storytelling, others from all walks of life that are facing difficulties can identify with the emotional content of the song and hear the resounding message of hope.

Indeed, Parton's crossover appeal, from country music fans to pop audiences, and her solid songwriting core set a precedent that artists today who straddle multiple genres still build on - artists like Taylor Swift, Kacey Musgraves and most recently Lil Nas X.

Parton has herself indicated that she would like to be remembered foremost as a songwriter. Not to disregard the significant impact Parton has had on the LGBTQ+ community via her media persona and image, but an understanding of Dolly is much more enriched by a deeper understanding of her songwriting.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors became an LGBTQ+ anthem

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Dolly Parton has many LGBTQ+ fans and has long been considered an enduring queer icon. Parton has spoken out on multiple occasions in support of LGBTQ+ rights and has also been vocal in support of marriage equality. She has also called out Christians for judging gay people, saying: "If you're gay, you're gay.

# data[].attributes.body
Parton donated $1 million towards research at Vanderbilt University Medical Centre and encouraged those who can afford it to make similar donations to help advance it.

# data[].attributes.body
-Supported many charitable efforts, particularly in the area of literacy, primarily through her Dollywood Foundation.
-Her literacy program, Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, a part of the Dollywood Foundation, mails one book per month to each enrolled child from the time of their birth until they reach school.
-Made efforts to preserve the bald eagle through the American Egale Sanctuary Foundation.
-2016 Great Smoky Mountains wildfires, Parton was one of a number of country music artists who participated in a telethon to raise money for victims of the fires.
-She has won many awards for all her hard efforts and its recognised globally for it.

# data[].attributes.body
-First attempt was the television variety show Dolly (1976–77)
It lasted only one season as Parton requested to be released from her contract because of the stress it was causing on her vocal coords.
-Dollys acting debut came when she was the main cast member in the film 9 to 5 in the 1980's.
-She played the roles of a secretary where the movie portrayed discrimination against women in the workplace and created awareness of the National Association of Working Women.
-She wrote and recorded the title song and it received many awards.
-Filmed a second film a musical ' The Best Little Warehouse in Texas (1982)
-Then with Sylvester Stallone for Rhinestone (1984) but was a financial failure.
-parton has starred in other things over the years and done voice work for animations such as Alvin and the Chipmunks. She also appeared in Hannah Montana as Aunt Dolly something she cherishes Miley for as she feels this engaged her younger fan base.
-She released a successful Netflix series featuring her music career.
-Parton produced and starred in the musical film 'Dolly Parton's Christmas on the Square'.
-She appeared as a guest star in 'Grace and Frankie'.

# data[].attributes.body
-Parton invested her earrings/ profit her native East Tennessee.
-She is a co-owner of The Dollywood Company which operates the theme park Dollywood , a dinner theatre, the waterpark Dollywood's Splash Country and the Dream More Resort and Spa, all in Pigeon Forge.
-She did this to create jobs for people that are disadvantaged or on low incomes as she wants everyone to have equal opportunities, as when she was growing up her family was poor.

# data[].attributes.body
Parton is known for having undergone considerable amounts of plastic surgery. On a 2003 Oprah Winfrey show she asked what kind of surgery Parton had with Parton replying that cosmetic surgery was imperative in keeping with her famous image. She has repeatedly joked about her physical image and surgeries, saying, 'It takes a lot of money to look this cheap' (Parton 2008). This is also reinforced when she sings in ‘Backwoods Barbie’ that ‘I might look artificial but where it counts I’m real’ (Parton 2008). Parton uses her autobiographical narrative to create a commodified ‘fake’ look in her stage persona alongside her insistence on emotional realism a ‘fake’ and ‘real’ celebrity discourse (Edwards 2018).

# data[].attributes.body
The court case between Dolly and Wagoner helped shape the stars image today. Dolly decided to control her own media image and brand when she left the show as the pair were conflicting and she was not allowed to make her own judgements and have her own opinions. Wagoner tried suing Parton for 3 million US dollars as he falsely claimed to have created her image. From this Dolly decided to have no management.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Dolly Parton got her big break on The Porter Wagoner Show in 1967. Originally planning to leave after five years, the "Jolene" singer stayed until 1974. About five years later, after a messy split, Wagoner sued Parton for $3 million. Here's why, and what the Queen of Country has to say about the legal battle today.

Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton | GAB Archive/Redferns

Why Dolly Parton left 'The Porter Wagoner Show'

Parton joined The Porter Wagoner Show because she was offered more money than she'd ever seen in her life and because it was a great opportunity to gain recognition. But she'd always wanted to be a famous musician on her own - not somebody's " girl singer."

Parton and Wagoner became a beloved duo. But " heated arguments" were common in their dynamic. There was an obvious power struggle between the two singers. Parton came in with plenty of ideas, but Wagoner made it very clear that it was his show so his call. The "9 to 5" singer even once called Wagoner a " male chauvinist pig " when reflecting on how difficult it was to work together.

Finally, she left (after begging Wagoner to let her).

Porter Wagoner sued Dolly Parton

After Parton quit The Porter Wagoner Show, her former partner slammed her in the press. Five years later, in 1979, he sued her for $3 million.

"He claimed she owed him money for breach of a management contract and for other results from their separation," reads the book Dolly on Dolly. "Seeking $3 million, Wagoner argued that he'd given Dolly two cars, rings, and diamond necklaces. His suit asked for a number of items: 15 percent of her net income from June 1974 through June 1979, 15 percent of her outstanding record royalties, 15 percent of future record royalties, and so on."
RELATED: Dolly Parton Once Revealed the Lengths She Goes to to Keep Her Home Life and Professional Life Completely Separate
"This is the only way we could get it settled," he told the press at the time. "I haven't seen or talked to Dolly since 1976. She's made it big, is out on the West Coast and has so many people handling her business it's impossible to get to the bottom."

Parton and Wagoner ended up settling out of court in 1980. The " Light of a Clear Blue Morning " singer reportedly gave her old boss $1 million.

Dolly Parton reflects on Porter Wagoner suing her 41 years later

In her 2020 book, Dolly Parton, Songteller: My Life in Lyrics, Parton wrote about her legal battle with Wagoner.

"After I left and started doing well, Porter sued me for $1 million, and that was money that I didn't have," she wrote. "I had to pay that over a long period of time."

https://twitter.com/DollyParton/status/1422210857682055174

RELATED: Why Dolly Parton Was Furious With Some of Her Fans in the Late 1970s: 'I Could Kill Those People and Bust Their Heads'
But, in true Dolly fashion, the Queen of Country forgave her old partner.

"You have to forgive and forget," she wrote. "He gave me great opportunities, and I did appreciate him. Later on, we got back together and he said he was sorry about all of that. So I forgave him, and I asked him to forgive me. I'm sure I was a pain in the a- to him. I was, because I believed in what I believed in, and I was going to fight for it. There's truth on either side."

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Why Porter Wagoner Sued Dolly Parton for $3 Million in 1979

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Dolly Parton got her big break on The Porter Wagoner Show in 1967. Originally planning to leave after five years, the "Jolene" singer stayed until 1974. About five years later, after a messy split, Wagoner sued Parton for $3 million. Here's why, and what the Queen of Country has to say about the legal battle today.

# data[].attributes.body
Born in January 1946 in a one-room cabin on the banks of the Little Pigeon River in Pittman Center, Tennessee, Dolly is an American singer-songwriter, actress, philanthropist and a businesswomen who is primarily known for her country music. Her mother stayed at home and looked after the children while her father tended his own small tobacco farm however her father was illiterate but Parton has often said that he was one of the smartest people she had ever known in regards to business and making a profit.Parton began performing when she was a child singing on local radio stations and TV programmes. After graduating she moved to Nashville where her initial success came as a songwriter, having signed with Combine Publishing. She signed at the age of 19 with Monument Records in 1965, initially as a pop singer. Her first country single, 'Dumb Blonde' (she did not write) reached number 24 on the country chart in 1967. Unable to read sheet music, Parton can play many instruments, including: the saxophone, guitar, electric guitar, dulcimer, autoharp, banjo, fiddle, piano, and the recorder.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
0:00 / 0:15•Watch full video

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Dolly Parton On Her New Netflix Series And Writing ‘I Will Always Love You’ | TODAY

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
DOLLY PARTON'S HEARTSTRINGS Trailer (2019) Willa Fitzgerald, Julianne Hough Netflix Movie HD

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Squarespace - 5 to 9 by Dolly Parton - Super Bowl 2021 Commercial