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With twenty-five top-five singles and counting, the buxom songstress Dolly Parton has earned herself the title of "American Institution." That said, the fun-loving blond would probably resent it. Since her debut in 1964, Dolly Parton has been all about fun, and has maintained her humility even in the face of mega-success. Her sparkling attitude has helped her transcend traditional country music boundaries, making her a certifiable crossover star. In addition to her country music recording career, Dolly Parton has used her irresistible charm to make her way to film and television success, and today the strong-voiced Ms. Parton is beloved all over the world. Dolly Parton has always been a country music girl, and she began performing at age nine. The vivacious songstress was the fourth of twelve children in a large Pentecostal family. As the legend goes, Dolly Parton's family lived in a dirt-poor cabin in the mining town of Locust Ridge, Tennessee. Dolly's parents were devout church-goers, and between spiritual music and her father's work songs, music was an integral part of the young Dolly Parton's life. Dolly was performing on the local Cas Walker Show at the young age of nine. Then, after graduating high school, Dolly Parton moved from her small town to the bustling music capital of Nashville. The year was 1964. Originally, Dolly Parton had more success with her songwriting than with her performing, and in her early Nashville days she wrote songs for artists like Hank Williams, Jr. and Skeeter Davis. She didn't have any success behind the microphone until she recorded the track "Dumb Blond" in 1967. Her first solo single, the raw and emotional "Just Because I'm A Woman", quickly followed and got Dolly an instant Nashville fan base. Subsequent singles have included the classic "I Will Always Love You" (covered by both Elvis Presley and Whitney Houson,), the Grammy winning "Here You Come Again", "9 to 5" and the Kenny Rogers duet "Islands In the Stream." Dolly Parton has also translated her natural charm into several successful Hollywood acting gigs, including the comedy 9 To 5, the quintessential chick-flick Steel Magnolias and the popular contemporary Disney children's show Hannah Montana.

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