The Remarkable Life and Career of Dolly Parton

TLDR Dolly Parton is a universally beloved country singer and songwriter who has achieved success in both the music industry and other ventures such as film production and theme park ownership. Known for her philanthropy and ability to straddle political divides, Parton continues to captivate audiences with her talent and authenticity.

Timestamped Summary

00:00 Dolly Parton has been putting goodness into the world since the 1970s and is loved by everyone because she is her own person who can't be pigeonholed into one box or another.
05:22 Dolly Parton is universally beloved and has been studied by anthropologists and sociologists because she is able to straddle both sides of the political and social divide in the United States while staying true to herself and making great music.
10:48 Dolly Parton moved to Nashville in 1964, where she met her husband Carl Dean, who prefers to stay out of the limelight, and they live a simple life together.
15:52 Dolly Parton signed her first big record contract with Monument Records in 1965, but they initially wanted her to be a pop singer, which she resisted and eventually became a successful country singer.
21:08 Dolly Parton became a successful country singer and songwriter, with her debut album reaching the top 20 on the country charts and her song "I Will Always Love You" being inspired by her relationship with Porter Wagoner.
26:19 Dolly Parton got out of her exploitive contract with Porter Wagner, broke up with her family band, and made hard decisions that ended up paying off, including hosting a TV show and working with influential manager Sandy Gallin, which helped her crossover to success and gain support from the LGBTQ community.
31:53 Dolly Parton has released numerous albums, including Trio, bluegrass albums, and Christmas albums, and is known for her songwriting and ability to play multiple instruments, including the guitar, banjo, fiddle, and saxophone. She gained popularity in the UK after her performance at the Glastonbury Music Festival in 2014, and her movie Nine to Five was ahead of its time in addressing issues of sexual harassment and low pay. Her relationship with her goddaughter Miley Cyrus has also contributed to her popularity among millennials.
37:19 Dolly Parton founded a production company and went on to produce movies like Father of the Bride and Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
42:45 Dolly Parton opened the theme park Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, which was a success from the start and even has a museum dedicated to her career.
47:56 Dolly Parton has a high positive Q score and is among the most beloved and least disliked people in the world, with fans in countries like Zimbabwe, and she avoids politics while being able to laugh at herself.
53:14 Dolly Parton is known for her philanthropy, business savvy, and ability to explain herself well, even when going against her fans politically.
58:43 Dolly Parton is releasing a new album called "Rockstar" and will be collaborating with other rock stars like Stevie Nicks, Paul McCartney, and Cher.
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