Randel Huston "Randy" Parton (December 15, 1953 – January 21, 2021) was an American singer-songwriter, actor and businessman.

Life, career and death

Randy Parton was born in Sevierville, Tennessee, the eighth of twelve children born to Avie Lee Caroline (née Owens; 1923–2003) and Robert Lee Parton Sr. (1921–2000). He was the younger brother of Dolly and

Stella Parton Stella Mae Parton (born May 4, 1949) is an American country singer and songwriter widely known for a series of country singles that charted during the mid-to-late-1970s, her biggest hit being "I Want to Hold You in My Dreams Tonight" in 1975. Sh ...

and the older brother of former actress

Rachel Dennison Rachel Ann George-Parton (formerly Dennison, née Parton; born August 31, 1959) is an American retired singer and actress and the youngest sister of entertainer Dolly Parton. Career Parton was raised in the Church of God. She is the youngest ...

. Parton was the first person to record the song "

Roll On (Eighteen Wheeler) "Roll On (Eighteen Wheeler)" is a song written by Dave Loggins, and recorded by American country music band Alabama. It was released in January 1984 as the first single and title track to the band's album '' Roll On''. It was the group's 12th str ...

" in 1982. Two years later, in 1984, the band

Alabama (We dare defend our rights) , anthem = "Alabama (state song), Alabama" , image_map = Alabama in United States.svg , seat = Montgomery, Alabama, Montgomery , LargestCity = Huntsville, Alabama, Huntsville , LargestCounty = Baldwin County, Al ...

recorded it, and became the group's 12th straight No. 1 single. Also in 1984, Parton sang a song for the ''

Rhinestone A rhinestone, paste or diamante is a diamond simulant originally made from rock crystal but since the 19th century from crystal glass or polymers such as acrylic. Original Originally, rhinestones were rock crystals gathered from the river ...

'' soundtrack; his sister Dolly starred in the film. He also played bass for his sister. Parton is also known for the theater that once bore his name in

Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina Roanoke Rapids () is a city in Halifax County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 15,754 at the 2010 census. It is the principal city of the Roanoke Rapids Micropolitan Statistical Area, and is also an anchor city of the Rocky Mou ...

. In 2007, he signed a deal worth over $1.5 million yearly to manage and perform in a new theater bearing his name in the

Carolina Crossroads Carolina Crossroads is a planned entertainment development near Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina located near the intersection of I-95 and US 158. The development was hoped to bring new jobs to the area which had been affected in recent years as tex ...

entertainment and shopping complex. The relationship between Parton and the city soured as the theater struggled to attract customers and questions arose concerning Parton's use of a nearly $3 million fund for personal travel and entertainment. Parton was also questioned by city leaders for unauthorized events held at the theater including a wedding reception for his daughter along with details about who would be marketing the theater. Throughout the controversy, Parton maintained that his actions were within the contract and that the theater would be successful given time. Parton's contract with the city was terminated on January 8, 2008 and the theater was renamed the Roanoke Rapids Theater. The city took over the theater and in July 2012 voted to allow electronic gambling to help pay expenses and possibly attract a buyer. Randy Parton died of cancer on January 21, 2021, at age 67.

Discography

Albums

Singles

Other album appearances

Notes :1.Parton provided backing vocals on this track.

References

External links

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Entry at 45cat.com
{{DEFAULTSORT:Parton, Randy 1953 births 2021 deaths 20th-century American businesspeople 20th-century American male actors 20th-century American male singers 20th-century American singers 21st-century American businesspeople 21st-century American male singers 21st-century American singers American country singer-songwriters American male film actors American Pentecostals Christians from Tennessee People from Sevierville, Tennessee Singer-songwriters from Tennessee Deaths from cancer in North Carolina American male singer-songwriters