How “Islands in the Stream” Nearly Disappeared Before Dolly Parton Changed Everything In the history of country music, few songs feel as perfectly destined as Islands in the Stream. The 1983 duet between Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers sounds so natural and balanced that it’s hard to imagine it any other way. Yet the song … Read more
When Dolly Parton turned 80 on January 19, 2026, many expected a moment of reflection — perhaps even a step back from the spotlight. Instead, she did the opposite. No farewell tour. No quiet legacy phase. Just a renewed commitment to the promise she has lived by for decades: keep working, keep creating, keep moving … Read more
In the early 1990s, country music was riding a cultural wave. Line dancing filled dance floors, mullets ruled the fashion scene, and Billy Ray Cyrus had unexpectedly become a global heartthrob thanks to his breakout hit Achy Breaky Heart. While much of Nashville rushed to follow the trend, Dolly Parton chose a different path — … Read more
On Tuesday, February 24th, the Grand Ole Opry welcomed an all-star lineup to honor Ronnie Milsap on the 50th anniversary of his Opry membership. Milsap was first inducted on February 6, 1976, at just 33 years old — the same year he released his debut album. Over the decades, he has remained a cornerstone of … Read more
Rising country star Ella Langley is celebrating a major milestone year. After earning a No. 1 hit with her breakout single Choosin’ Texas, Langley is now set to receive the prestigious Powerhouse Award at the upcoming Billboard Women in Music ceremony. The honor recognizes artists who are making a strong impact across the music industry, … Read more
Global superstar Dolly Parton is expanding her iconic brand to the open road, announcing plans to launch her first-ever travel center in the small Middle Tennessee town of Cornersville, located about an hour south of Nashville along Interstate 65. The new project, called “Dolly’s Tennessean Travel Stop,” will transform and fully rebrand the existing Tennessean … Read more
For a songwriter, few moments compare to hearing someone else turn your creation into a worldwide sensation. But when Dolly Parton first heard Whitney Houston’s soaring rendition of I Will Always Love You, the experience was so powerful it nearly caused an accident — forcing her to pull over immediately. The Stunning Moment on the … Read more
Country music legend Dolly Parton has always been unapologetically herself, openly embracing the bold, glamorous style that first earned her attention in her East Tennessee hometown. Inspired by the “town tramp” she saw growing up, Parton faced early pressure from record executives and even family to tone down her look to appeal to a wider … Read more
The story of Dolly Parton’s humble Appalachian childhood is forever stitched into one of her most beloved songs, the 1971 classic “Coat of Many Colors.” What began as a painful childhood memory became a powerful anthem about dignity, poverty, and a mother’s unconditional love — and remains one of the most emotional chapters of Parton’s … Read more
At 79 years old, retirement is still a foreign concept for Dolly Parton. The country music icon, who first stepped onto the Grand Ole Opry stage in 1959, continues to approach her career with the same fearless passion that defined her rise to fame. She has often joked that she hopes to “drop dead in … Read more