January 16, 2006. Copyright 2006, Graphic News. All rights reserved

Smoky Mountain diva Dolly Parton turns 60
By Joanna Griffin

LONDON, January 16, Graphic News:  On the eve of her 60th birthday, country and western singer Dolly Parton is remarkable not only for her age-defying looks, but also her enduring passion for what she does best: composing and performing songs about the bittersweet nature of human experience.

The petite blonde with the southern twang is about as likely to put away her eye-popping outfits as she is to slow down. In 2005 Parton released an album entitled Those Were The Days, featuring an interpretation of classic folk and rock songs such as John LennonÕs Imagine, and Where Have all the Flowers Gone. She continues to tour and to adapt her musical style.

Born on January 19, 1946, Parton was the fourth of 12 children who lived on a Òdirt-poorÓ farm in the Smoky Mountains. Her experience of growing up in a family that was poor in financial terms but Òrich in loveÓ undoubtedly awakened her talent for writing songs about the pain and joy of life. At the same time, she honed her voice at the Pentecostal church. Parton, who now calls herself simply a ÒChristianÓ, still performs spiritual songs.

By the time she was 20, Parton was writing compositions for Hank Williams and Skeeter Davies among others. Success as a singer came during the 1960s when she appeared in a country music television programme with Porter Wagoner, but Dolly was always going to be too much of a star in her own right to share the limelight for long, and despite chart-topping duets such as The Last Thing on My Mind, she launched out as a solo artist in 1974.

Dolly then set about conquering the pop charts with songs such as Here You Come Again and Jolene. A role as a brassy southern gal in Jane FondaÕs 1980 film 9 to 5 established her acting career and she later appeared in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas and Steel Magnolias. Her soundtrack for 9 to 5 won neither the Oscar nor the Golden Globe it was nominated for, but over the years Parton has garnered some impressive silverwear, including seven Grammys.

Not only that, she has sold millions of records and repeatedly scaled the U.S. charts. Her song I Will Always Love You became the all-time best-selling song by a female artist after it was sung by Whitney Houston in the 1992 film The Bodyguard. Parton has adapted to the times, recording several ÒbluegrassÓ albums after country and western music fell out of vogue in the 1990s. In every other sense, however, she has remained true to her roots.

In her native East Tennessee Parton is feted for charitable work and investment in the local community, including her amusement park, Dollywood. Married for 40 years to  businessman Carl Dean, the bosomy singer is also an icon among gays who appreciate not only her show-stopping looks but also the sentiment of comments such as ÒIf I hadnÕt been a woman, IÕd be a drag queenÓ.
/ENDS