MORE THAN HAIR :

The Other Dolly Parton, the Songwriting One (BILL FRISKICS-WARREN, 7/21/02, NY Times)

Since moving to Nashville in 1964, Ms. Parton, now 56, has published more than 3,000 of her compositions. Dozens have become hits, not only for her but for singers ranging from Emmylou Harris to Whitney Houston. Ms. Parton has written vivid odes to her hardscrabble childhood in Appalachia ("Coat of Many Colors"); gripping studies in Southern gothic ("Jolene"); feminist anthems ("9 to 5"); and tender ballads ("I Will Always Love You"). Her catalog of original material isn't just one of the deepest and best in country music; last year, the National Academy of Popular Music deemed it impressive enough to elect Ms. Parton to its Songwriters Hall of Fame, joining the likes of Duke Ellington, Hoagy Carmichael and Bob Dylan.

"Writing's just as natural to me as getting up and cooking breakfast," said Ms. Parton, who lives on a farm outside Nashville with her husband of 36 years, Carl Dean, a contractor. "I ain't never far away from a pencil and paper or a tape recorder. I write every day, even when I'm on a plane, in the tub or on the bus. It burns in me. Songwriting is my way of channeling my feelings and my thoughts. Not just mine, but the things I see, the people I care about. My head would explode if I didn't get some of that stuff out. Not everything I write is good, but it's all good for me — like therapy."

If you've never given any consideration to Ms Parton as a serious music talent, give this one a listen : The Grass Is Blue. Posted by Orrin Judd at July 21, 2002 10:04 AM