Sunday Morning Country Classic Spotlight to Feature Dolly Parton [VIDEO]

Join me for the Sunday Morning Country Classic Spotlight on Sunday April 24^th at 11 am. That's when we'll feature one of the female pioneers of country music -- Dolly Parton. We get started at 9 am with the Country Classic Show at 98 .1 Minnesota’s New Country, online and on your mobile device.

Dolly Parton was born in Locus Ridge, Tennessee January 19, 1946. She grew up poor along with her eleven siblings. She graduated from high school in 1964 and moved to Nashville, Tennessee. That’s where she met her future husband, Carl Dean and joined the "Porter Wagoner Show" where she replaced Norma Jean.

Many songs that Parton wrote were about growing up poor in Appalachia. A good example -- “The Coat of Many Colors” -- a top ten hit in 1971. Parton is a very prolific songwriter, “I Will Always Love You,” “Jolene,” among others. Dolly Parton has done it all -- country singer, songwriter, actress, author, business executive and humanitarian. She topped the country chart with 25 number one hits.

As an actress, Parton starred in ‘9 to 5,’ ‘Rhinestone’ and ‘The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.’ Since the mid 1980’s Parton has supported many charitable efforts. Her literary program, ‘Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library’ mails one book per month to each enrolled child from birth until they enter kindergarten.

On a personal note, on May 30, 1966 Parton and Carl Dean were married -- a first marriage for both -- and still married.