dolly parton - Dolly Parton is that rare bird, a commercial country superstar who never lost her hillbilly cred. Dolly started out her career in the late '60s, emerging as the 'girl' singer in the Porter Wagoner show, after taking the role over when Norma Jean and Porter parted ways. Although she countinued to record prolifically with Porter up until the mid-1970s, Dolly quickly launched a parallel solo career that eventually landed her in the stratosphere. Although she was seen as a hallmark of rural authenticity, Parton was quite comfortable experimenting with countrypolitan and country-pop, perhaps the difference between her and many of her more leaden Nashville contemporaries was that Dolly was just better at it -- more heartfelt, a stronger performer -- and even when she tackled lofty material, she made it sound like good old-fashioned roots music. A prolific songwriter, Parton also moved into movie acting in the late 1970s, cementing her status as one of the world's best-known celebrities. In recent years, Dolly has gone back to a rootsier style, exploring bluegrass, and winning over a new generation of 'Americana' fans.