Happy 75th Birthday Dolly Parton: Performing Live At Grand Ole Opry In 2019

Famed musician Dolly Parton celebrates her 75th birthday today. In honor of the occasion, stream audio of her early set at the Grand Ole Opry House from October 12, 2019 below.

Dolly Rebecca Parton was born on January 19, 1946 in Pittman Center, Tennessee. Parton got her start as a songwriter before embarking on an iconic solo career that continues through the present. The Country Music Hall Of Fame inductee is also a renowned author, actor, entrepreneur and humanitarian. Last year, Dolly donated $1 million to Vanderbilt University Medical Center that helped fund research towards Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine.

Parton’s songs topped the Billboard country music charts 25 times, a record she shares with Reba McEntire. “Jolene,” “9 to 5” and “I Will Always Love You” are just a few hits Dolly wrote and recorded.

In 1969, Dolly Parton was inducted as a Grand Ole Opry member. Parton returned to the stage at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry on October 12, 2019 to cap “Dolly Week 2019” in honor of the 50th anniversary of her induction.

“It was always my dream to be on the Opry,” explained Parton when Dolly Week 2019 was announced. “I actually got to sing on the Grand Ole Opry when I was about 10 years old. I officially became a member back in 1969 and I cannot believe [in 2019] I will celebrate 50 proud years of being a member of the Grand Ole Opry! They call it the ‘Mother Church’ because the old Ryman was a church, but it’s sacred to me, wherever it goes – the church of my heart. For me, the Opry is like the song ‘New York, New York’ – if you can make it there, you can make it anywhere. I am excited to be coming back home to celebrate 50 years of membership!”

Dolly utilized the same setlist filled with classics from her legendary career for both the early and late shows on October 12, 2019. Parton kicked off the sets by pairing the title tracks from 1970’s Joshua and 1973’s Jolene. The celebrated performer then treated fans to the auto-biographical “My Tennessee Mountain Home,” early ’70s gem “Coat Of Many Colors” and her 1977 chart-topper “Here You Come Again.”

Parton then honored longtime musical partner Porter Wagoner by performing “The Carroll County Accident” before getting the capacity crowd grooving with “9 to 5.” Dolly brought the house down with her vocal delivery on the “I Will Always Love You” finale. Parton wrote the song as a tribute to Wagoner in 1973. “I Will Always Love You” was a big hit for Dolly as well as for Whitney Houston, who recorded the tune for her 1992 film The Bodyguard.

Listen to Dolly Parton’s October 12, 2019 early set below:

Setlist

Set: Joshua, Jolene, My Tennessee Mountain Home, Coat of Many Colors, Here You Come Again, The Carroll County Accident, 9 to 5, I Will Always Love You