Dolly Parton, Country Music Hall of Fame superstar, over the years (2024)

The show-stopper in a glittering array of beautiful blonde singers on the RCA label is dynamic Dolly Parton. She sang "Don't Try to Cry" in the RCA Records show during the D.J. Convention on Oct. 21, 1967, at Municipal Auditorium.

Porter Wagoner, left, and Dolly Parton walk on stage to accept their Vocal Group of the Year award during the second annual CMA Awards show at the Ryman Auditorium on Oct. 18, 1968. Presenter Chet Atkins, right, waits on the duo.

Presenters Dolly Parton, left, and Porter Wagoner, also a nominee, arrive for the Grammy Award show at the National Guard Armory in Nashville on March 12, 1969.

Porter Wagoner, right, and Dolly Parton, left, discuss the upcoming episode before taping his half-hour syndicated television show, "The Porter Wagoner Show," at the WSM-TV studios on Sept. 2, 1970. Jo Coulter, center, puts finishing touches on their makeup in the dressing room.

Porter Wagoner, right, and Dolly Parton are performing together during taping of his half-hour syndicated television show, "The Porter Wagoner Show," at the WSM-TV studios on Sept. 2, 1970.

Dolly Parton performs a song during taping of the half-hour syndicated television show, "The Porter Wagoner Show," at the WSM-TV studios on Sept. 2, 1970.

As Dottie West, fourth from right, sings "Born To Be A Country Girl" during the WSM Luncheon and Spectacular at the Municipal Auditorium on Oct. 15, 1970, all the other Grand Ole Opry female singers filter out on the stage to help her. They are Loretta Lynn, left, Skeeter Davis, Mrs. Den Smathers, Dolly Parton, Jeannie Seely, Margie Bowes, Del Wood, Minnie Pearl, Marion Worth and Jean Shepard.

Porter Wagoner, left, and Dolly Parton arrive for the CMA Awards banquet at the Municipal Auditorium on Oct. 16, 1970.

Nominees Dolly Parton, left, and Porter Wagoner enjoy their dinner for the 13th annual Grammy during the Nashville NARAS award banquet at the Municipal Auditorium on March 16, 1971. The Grammy was also held in New York, Chicago, Atlanta, and Los Angeles, all which was telecast live on ABC-TV.

Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner, center, are speaking to the audience after winning the Duet Group of the Year award during the CMA Awards at the Ryman Auditorium Oct. 10, 1971. Looking on are presenters Roy Clark, left, and Merle Haggard.

One of the nation most prominent country girls, Dolly Parton, front right, gets her name on the Walkway of Stars at the Country Music Hall of Fame on April 4, 1972. Her name, along with those of Barbara Mandrell, Lynn Anderson, Gene Autry, the Statler Brothers, Glenn Sutton, Bonnie Owens and Charley Pride, were placed in the walkway during a ceremony.

Three of the nation's most prominent female country singers — Lynn Anderson, left, Barbara Mandrell and Dolly Parton — appear proud to see their names in the Walkway of Stars on May 5, 1972, at the Country Music Hall of Fame. Their names, along with those of Gene Autry, the Statler Brothers, Glenn Sutton, Bonnie Owens and Charley Pride, were placed in the walkway.

RCA Records artist Dolly Parton, left, is having her picture taken with visitor J.D. Iles of Dayton, Iowa, during the first annual Country Music Fan Fair at the Municipal Auditorium on April 12, 1972.

Lynn Anderson, left, Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, Dottie West and Tammy Wynette sings a medley around a "country girl" theme during the sixth annual CMA Awards show on Oct. 16, 1972.

RCA executive Chet Atkins, left, and Dolly Parton help Porter Wagoner, right, to celebrate his 20th year with RCA during a luncheon on Oct. 20, 1972.

Dolly Parton is performing for a packed audience during the Grand Ole Opry show on the stage of the Ryman Auditorium on July 21, 1973.

Primping before the mirror in the dressing room backstage, Dolly Parton prepares to please her fans during the RCA Records breakfast and show at the Municipal Auditorium on Oct. 20, 1973. The event is part of the 48th Grand Ole Opry Birthday Celebration.

Porter Wagoner, right, shares a moment with Dolly Parton in his Music Row office on Nov. 27, 1973. Wagoner said he was concerned for Parton because he feels that she is been ignored. Not by the fans, but with their record company, RCA, and the industry members who vote annually in the CMA Awards.

Porter Wagoner, left, and Dolly Parton announced at a small press conference on Feb. 19, 1974, at Wagoner's Music Row office, that they would no longer be a team. Wagoner is looking for a replacement for his TV and road show, while Parton is looking for her own band.

Former Beatle Paul McCartney, left, and his family chat with Dolly Parton, second from right, and Porter Wagoner backstage during the third annual Grand Masters Fiddling contest at Orpyland on June 16, 1974. McCartney's wife, Linda, and daughters Heather, 11, and Stella, 4, also enjoyed the music at the event.

Dolly Parton relaxes in her office on 18th Avenue South Oct. 5, 1974 during an interview. She talks about her new band, new bus, new directions after ending a seven-year partnership with Porter Wagoner.

Dolly Parton, who had just ended a seven-year partnership with Porter Wagoner, performs solo during the eighth annual CMA Awards show on Oct. 14, 1974.

Dolly Parton speaks to the audience after winning the Female Vocalist of the Year honor during the nationally televised CMA Awards show at the Grand Ole Opry House on Oct. 13, 1975.

Dolly Parton, right, makes her entrance on the stage during the taping of "The Grand Ole Opry at 50, A Nashville Celebration" for a nationally televised special at Grand Ole Opry House on Oct. 23, 1975. Cheering Dolly on is Emmylou Harris, left, and Barbara Mandrell.

Minnie Pearl, left, Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton and Roy Clark are finishes a song together during the end of taping "The Grand Ole Opry at 50, A Nashville Celebration" for a nationally televised special at Opry House on Oct. 23, 1975.

Dolly Parton, left, poses with a fan as she signs autographs at her booth in the Municipal Auditorium during Fan Fair on June 10, 1976.

Dolly Parton performs during the CMA Awards show from the stage of the Grand Ole Opry House on Oct. 11, 1976.

Dolly Parton is performing again during the CMA Awards show from the stage of the Grand Ole Opry House on Oct. 11, 1976.

Dolly Parton, left, gets a kiss from presenter Mac Davis after she won the Female Vocalist of the Year during the CMA Awards at the Grand Ole Opry House on Oct. 11, 1976.

Dolly Parton performs her current hit "Heartbreaker" during the 12th annual CMA Awards show on Oct. 9, 1978.

Dolly Parton accepts the Entertainer of the Year award during the 12th annual CMA Awards show at the Grand Ole Opry House on Oct. 9, 1978. Looking on are presenters Johnny Cash, left, and Ronnie Milsap.

Carol Burnett, left, and Dolly Parton spent a serious moment before their press conference on Dec. 28, 1978, to announce a Valentine's Day television special titled "Dolly and Carol in Nashville" at the Grand Ole Opry House.

Carol Burnett, left, and Dolly Parton hold a press conference on Dec. 28, 1978, to announce their Valentine's Day television special titled "Dolly and Carol in Nashville" at the Grand Ole Opry House.

Carol Burnett and Dolly Parton are performing during their mock-melodramatic love song skit during the taping of the "Dolly and Carol in Nashville" television special before a packed audience at the Grand Ole Opry House on Jan. 10, 1979.

Dolly Parton, left, gives an interview as Dollar General employees and guests look on as she visits the headquarters in Scottsville, Ky., on May 1, 1979.

Dolly Parton performs before a packed audience during the 14th annual CMA Awards show at the Grand Ole Opry House on Oct. 13, 1980.

Presenters Dolly Parton, left, and Barbara Mandrell react after naming George Jones as the Male Vocalist of the Year during the 14th annual CMA Awards show at the Grand Ole Opry House on Oct. 13, 1980. But Jones wasn't there because he was performing at a show in Sparks, Nevada.

Grand Ole Opry star Grandpa Jones, left, gets a good laugh out of Monument Records founder and birthday boy Fred Foster and star Dolly Parton during a dinner and roast for Foster on his 50th birthday at the Opryland Hotel ballroom on July 26, 1981.

Dolly Parton demonstrated to her friends in the press 0n Nov. 10, 1982, that she is "alive 'n kickin'," at rehearsals in Nashville for her return to performing. She has been completely out of the public eye since she was rushed from an Indianapolis appearance to a New York hospital on Aug. 23. Then she had abdominal surgery on Sept. 7 at New York's St. Luke Hospital.

Co-stars Sylvester Stallone, left, and Dolly Parton ham it up at Opryland U.S.A. theme park's Roy Acuff Theater on June 18, 1984, as they say a few words to the audience prior to the Nashville's premiere of their movie, "Rhinestone."

Superstars Dolly Parton, left, and Kenny Rogers are all smiles on Oct. 8, 1984, as they discuss plans for an upcoming Christmas television special, the release of a duet Christmas album and a joint tour to begin New Year's Eve. They held the press conference immediately after the CMA Awards show at Opryland Hotel.

Dolly Parton, left, Janie Fricke, Loretta Lynn and Conway Twitty conclude a segment of the fan-voted Music City News Awards show celebrating the annual event's 20th anniversary on June 9, 1986.

Linda Ronstadt, left, Emmylou Harris, and Dolly Parton are performing together during the CMA Awards show at the Grand Ole Opry House on Oct. 13, 1986.

Dolly Parton is performing "Applejack" for the crowd at Murphy Center on the campus of Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro on Nov. 1, 1986. She was co-billed with Kenny Rogers, along with newcomer T. Graham Brown.

Dolly Parton, left, and Kenny Rogers are performing together at Murphy Center on the campus of Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro on Nov. 1, 1986. They were co-billed together with newcomer T. Graham Brown.

Host Dolly Parton, center, has the other stars join her during her hand-clapping country anthem to starts the 22nd annual CMA Awards show at the Grand Ole Opry House on Oct. 10, 1988.

Host Dolly Parton, right, and Emmylou Harris speak after winning the award for the Vocal Event of the Year with Linda Ronstadt during the nationally televised 22nd annual CMA Awards show at the Grand Ole Opry House on Oct. 10, 1988.

Dolly Parton, second from left, Lorianne Crook, left, and Charlie Chase, second from right, and Dolly's mother, Avie Lee Owens, right, are posing for a photo at the end of a taping on the set of "Crook and Chase" show on March 24, 1989.

Dolly Parton sings her inspirational "He's Alive," backed with a full gospel choir, during the 23rd annual CMA Awards show at the Grand Ole Opry House on Oct. 9, 1989.

Country superstar Dolly Parton and the Christ Church Choir bring the audience to its feet with “He’s Alive” during the 21st annual Dove Awards ceremonies at TPAC’s Jackson Hall in Nashville on April 5, 1990.

Dolly Parton performs "Eagle When She Flies" during the 25th annual CMA Awards show at the Grand Ole Opry House on Oct. 2, 1991.

Dolly Parton, left, puts on the conductor's hat given to her by Metro Mayor Phil Bredesen in downtown Nashville for the unveiling of a new MTA “Music City Dolly Trolley" on Feb. 26, 1992.

Dolly Parton dons a conductor's hat for the unveiling of the new MTA “Music City Dolly Trolley" in downtown Nashville on Feb. 26, 1992.

Mary-Chapin Carpenter, second left, Dolly Parton and Kathy Mattea share a moment on the set of Dolly new "Romeo" music video being shot at the Mainstreet nightclub in Murfreesboro, Tenn., on Jan. 6, 1993. Proceedings from the song will aid the Red Cross.

Dolly Parton, right, sing together with Kenny Rogers during the concert-TV taping of "A Country Music Celebration," honoring the CMA's 35th Anniversary at the Grand Ole Opry House on Jan. 13, 1993. One of their biggest hits together is "Islands in the Stream."

Dolly Parton, second from right, performs with Emmylou Harris, left, Kenny Rogers, and Willie Nelson during the concert-TV taping of "A Country Music Celebration" honoring the CMA's 35th anniversary at the Grand Ole Opry House on Jan. 13, 1993. Dolly was honored during the tribute segment for her.

Dolly Parton, left, makes some remarks about her dear friend, Chet Atkins, during a surprise party to celebrates Atkins' 50 years in the music business at BMI Music Row headquarters on March 18, 1993.

Dolly Parton, left, and host Vince Gill are performing a emotional take on her "I Will Always Love You" during the 29th annual CMA Awards show at the Grand Ole Opry House on Oct. 4, 1995.

Country music star Dolly Parton, the Harmony Award winner, performs in the ballroom of the Loews Vanderbilt Plaza on Dec. 14, 1996, for the annual white-tie Symphony Ball.

Porter Wagoner, left, celebrates his 50th anniversary as an entertainer with help from former duet partner, Dolly Parton, at the Grand Ole Opry House on April 15, 1997. The event was being taped for The Nashville Network.

Dolly Parton performs as she courts tour group business for Dollywood at The American Bus Marketplace '97, a motor coach industry convention at Opryland Hotel on Dec. 9, 1997.

Dolly Parton sings “Shine On,” which she wrote several months ago, during the memorial service for the first lady of country music, Tammy Wynette, at the Ryman Auditorium on April 9, 1998. Dolly sang one emotionally charged chorus of “I Will Always Love You” during the song.

Lee Ann Womack, left, couldn't believe it when she was singing a Dolly Parton song and was joined by Parton herself during a Fan Fair show at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds on June 22, 1998.

Second camera assistant Beth Horton, left, marks another take as Dolly Parton gets into the mood of the scene while filming “The Blue Valley Songbird” in Bethel, Tenn., on July 28, 1999.

Dolly Parton, filling in for Patty Loveless who was out of town, and host Vince Gill performs his and Loveless' "My Kind of Woman, My Kind of Man" during the 33rd CMA Awards show at the Grand Ole Opry House on Sept. 22, 1999.

Dolly Parton accepts the Entertainer of the Year award during the 12th annual CMA Awards show at the Grand Ole Opry House on Oct. 9, 1978. Looking on are presenters Johnny Cash, left, and Ronnie Milsap.

Dolly Parton raises her fists in the air after receiving her Country Music Hall of Fame medal from E.W. "Bud" Wendell during a reception at the Country Music Hall of Fame on Jan. 6, 2000.

Martina McBride, left, Patty Loveless, Dolly Parton, Wynonna and Naomi Judd perform "Stand by Your Man" in a tribute to Tammy Wynette during the 35th annual ACM Awards show at the Universal Amphitheatre in Universal City, Calif., on May 3, 2000.

On the front porch of a cabin near Cookeville, Tenn., Roger McGuinn, left, Dolly Parton, Lee Nash and Kathy Mattea sing as the camera rolls during the making of an IMAX movie about country music on Sept. 14, 2000.

Dolly Parton, left, and Brad Paisley share the stage during their rehearsal session on Feb. 20, 2001, in preparation for the Grammy Awards show. The pair will both perform and present an award together.

Jimmy Martin, left, Dolly Parton, co-hosts Little Jimmy Dickens and Brenda Lee and others are singing "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" after the annual medallion ceremony for new members at the Country Music Hall of Fame on June 5, 2002.

Dolly Parton sings her "Hello, God" with a full choir during the 36th annual CMA Awards show at the Grand Ole Opry House on Nov 6, 2002. She earned a standing ovation from the audience for her performance.

Presenter and his long-ago duet partner Dolly Parton, right, congratulates Porter Wagoner as he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame during the 36th annual CMA Awards show at the Grand Ole Opry House on Nov 6, 2002.

Country music legend Dolly Parton speaks after accepting her Governor's Award in the Arts at the Ryman Auditorium on March 11, 2003. The awards were selected by the Tennessee Arts Commission and approved by Gov. Phil Bredesen.

Dolly Parton, left, applauds longtime friend Porter Wagoner during his induction ceremony into the Country Music Hall of Fame at the hall in downtown Nashville on May 4, 2003. At the ceremony, Wagoner sang a duet, “Just Someone I Used to Know," with Dolly.

Norah Jones, left, and Dolly Parton perform a song from the album, “Just Because I'm a Woman,” during the 2003 CMA Awards show at the Grand Ole Opry House on Nov. 5, 2003.

Dolly Parton, right, takes the first ride, albeit a short one, in her new wooden roller coaster Thunderhead at Dollywood on April 6, 2004.

Dolly Parton, left, presents an award to Toby Keith for Video of the Year during the CMT Flame Worthy Awards show at the Gaylord Entertainment Center in Nashville on April 21, 2004.

Dolly Pardon sings “I’ll Always Love You” during the CMT 100 Greatest Love Songs concert at the Gaylord Entertainment Center in Nashville on June 9, 2004.

Franklin, Tenn., police stand guard as Dolly Parton, center, meets fans and signs autographs at the Sam's Club in Cool Springs on Sept. 14, 2004.

Surprise guest Dolly Parton, left, showed up with Gov. Phil Bredesen, center, and Mayor Purcell to kick off the Imagination library by reading stories to children at the Nashville Main Downtown Library on March 15, 2005.

Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld, left, talks as Dolly Parton looks on during the Grand Ole Opry Live snow on the stage of the Opry House in Nashville on April 23, 2005.

Obviously having a good time, George Jones, left, and Dolly Parton crack up after missing their cues while filming a video for their new duet, "Blues Man," at the Grand Ole Opry House on Aug. 1, 2005.

Elton John, left, and Dolly Parton perform together during the CMA Awards show at the Madison Square Garden in New York on Nov. 15, 2005.

Dolly Parton, left, and Keith Urban perform together during the Music City Jam on Feb. 15, 2006.

Dolly Parton performs at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., on Sept, 15, 2006.

Dolly Parton, left, sings "I Will Always Love You" to Porter Wagoner during the celebration of Wagoner's 50th anniversary with the Grand Ole Opry on May 19, 2007. Parton wrote the song for Wagoner, who was her duet partner from 1967 to 1974.

Michael W Smith, left, and Dolly Parton talk to reporters after the GMA Gospel Hall of Fame Induction event at the Richland Country Club on Feb. 2 2009.

Dolly Parton poses for photographers at her star during the Music City Walk of Fame Induction ceremony in downtown Nashville on Nov. 8, 2009.

Metro Mayor Karl Dean, left, laughs as Dolly Parton announces she and the Dixie Stampede will donated $250,000 for flood victims to the United Way's "Restore the Dream" fund during a press conference at Dolly's studio on 12th South on June 2, 2010.

Dolly Parton performs during the 85th birthday celebration of the Grand Ole Opry at the Opry House in Nashville on Oct. 9, 2010.

Dollywood Vice President Craig Ross, left, Metro Mayor Karl Dean, Gov. Bill Haslam, Dolly Parton and Gaylord Entertainment CEO Colin Reed pose for photo on Jan. 19, 2012, after the announcement that a water and snow park will be built in the Opryland area.

From left, Dawson Dykes, 6, of Columbia, Tenn., Dolly Parton, former Gov. Phil Bredesen, Gov. Bill Haslam and First Lady Crissy Haslam blow out a candle to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Governor's Books from Birth party at the state Capitol in Nashville on Sept. 30, 2014.

Dolly Parton performs during Dollywood’s 30th anniversary celebration at the park in Sevierville, Tenn., on March 20, 2015.

Kenny Rogers, left, and Dolly Parton perform together during pre-taping for the "Dolly Parton's Smoky Mountains Rise: A Benefit for the My People Fund" telethon in Nashville on Dec. 13, 2016.

Dolly Parton, right, accepts the Gary Haber Lifting Lives Award as Brad Paisley looks on during the 11th annual Academy of Country Music Honors at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on Aug. 23, 2017.

Dolly Parton, center, is meeting with cancer patients at Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt on Oct. 13, 2017, to sing songs from her new children's album and share a story of how niece Hannah Dennison, right, recovered from cancer at the hospital and inspired her new song "Chemo Hero." Dolly's sister Rachel Dennison is at left.

Kenny Rogers, front left, and Dolly Parton wave goodbye to the crowd after performing for the last time together at the "All In For the Gambler" tribute to Rogers at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on Oct. 25, 2017.

Dolly Parton answers questions by the children at the Hannah Dennison Butterfly Garden of the Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt in Nashville on May 17, 2018.

Dolly Parton performs at her 50th Grand Ole Opry Membership Anniversary at the Opry House on Oct. 12, 2019.

Hosts Reba McEntire, Carrie Underwood and Dolly Parton perform together during the 53rd Annual CMA Awards show at Bridgestone Arena on Nov. 13, 2019.

Kelsea Ballerini, left, and Dolly Parton perform together during the 57th Academy of Country Music Awards show at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev., on March 7, 2022.

Dolly Parton, left, dines with former Governor Bill Haslam before presenting him and his wife, Crissy, with an award during the Dolly Parton Excellence in Leadership Award Dinner and Presentation at the Tennessee State Museum in Nashville on May 3, 2022.

Dolly Parton performs during the 58th ACM Awards show at the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas, on May 11, 2023.

Dolly Parton speaks to the crowd during the opening of the Dolly Parton & The Makers: My Life In Rhinestones fashion exhibition at Lipscomb University in Nashville on Oct. 27, 2023.