Dolly Parton sings and plays guitar at a concert in Nashville Tennessee She has performed onstage for more than sixty-five years
On May 8 2009 a crowd of about twelve thousand students and their families gathered at the Thompson-Boling Arena at the University of Tennessee Knoxville It was a joyous special occasion the College of Arts and Sciences graduation To add even more excitement the event featured a world-famous speaker Dolly Parton who was born and raised in Tennessee Tickets were so in demand that school officials distributed them in advance for the first time Parton received an honorary doctorate of humane and musical letters at the ceremony The school recognized Parton for her lifetime of accomplishments as a musician actor businessperson and humanitarian She was thrilled to receive the honor in her home state Tennessee’s governor at the time Phil Bredesen introduced Parton He said She’s all about dreaming big about doing everything it takes to see those dreams become a reality She knows that if you want to change the world you’ve got to be willing to get out there to roll up your sleeves and work for it Parton walked onto the stage
with a friendly greeting to the crowd and a thank-you to the governor She sang Rocky Top an upbeat bluegrass tune In her speech Parton spoke about four principles dream more learn more care more and be more These principles are the basis of her thriving reading program for children Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library She told that year’s graduates to not confuse dreams with wishes There is a difference Dreams are where you visualize Parton performs at the Thompson Boling Arena She plays many musical instruments during concerts including guitar piano and banjo yourself being successful at what’s important to you to accomplish Dreams build convictions because you work hard to pay the price to make sure that they come true Parton didn’t come from a wealthy family She grew up with eleven siblings in a two-room log cabin in Tennessee’s Great Smoky Mountains Her dreams drive and talent all combined to turn her into a music superstar a Hollywood actor and a household name in the US But Parton is also known for having a big heart and helping others especially children She’s done that in many ways
Growing Up in the Great Smoky Mountains Dolly Rebecca Parton was born on January 19 1946 in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee She was the fourth child of Avie Lee Owens and Robert Lee Parton After Dolly the couple had eight more children Dolly had five sisters and six brothers Dolly’s father was illiterate he couldn’t read or write He grew up with fourteen siblings When he was a child his family needed him to work so he didn’t go to school Though Robert Lee Parton lacked formal education The Great Smoky Mountains
