Stella Mae Parton (born May 4, 1949)
is an American
country
A country is a distinct part of the world, such as a state, nation, or other political entity. It may be a sovereign state or make up one part of a larger state. For example, the country of Japan is an independent, sovereign state, while the ...
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.
She is the younger sister of the country music entertainer
Dolly Parton
Dolly Rebecca Parton (born January 19, 1946) is an American singer-songwriter, actress, philanthropist, and businesswoman, known primarily for her work in country music. After achieving success as a songwriter for others, Parton made her album d ...
and the older sister of the singer
Randy Parton and 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 ...
.
Early life
Stella Mae Parton was born in
Sevierville, Tennessee
Sevierville ( ) is a city in and the county seat of Sevier County, Tennessee, located in eastern Tennessee. The population was 17,889 at the 2020 United States Census.
History
Native Americans of the Woodland period were among the first human ...
.
She is the sixth of 12 children born to Avie Lee Caroline (''
née
A birth name is the name of a person given upon birth. The term may be applied to the surname, the given name, or the entire name. Where births are required to be officially registered, the entire name entered onto a birth certificate or birth re ...
'' Owens; 1923–2003) and Robert Lee Parton Sr. (1921–2000). Dolly Parton is her elder sister by three years. When Stella was seven, she and Dolly appeared on a
Knoxville
Knoxville is a city in and the county seat of Knox County in the U.S. state of Tennessee. As of the 2020 United States census, Knoxville's population was 190,740, making it the largest city in the East Tennessee Grand Division and the state's ...
television program, and two years later she debuted on radio. During this time, Stella and her sisters Willadeene and Cassie formed a group who sang
gospel music
Gospel music is a traditional genre of Christian music, and a cornerstone of Christian media. The creation, performance, significance, and even the definition of gospel music varies according to culture and social context. Gospel music is com ...
and made commercials around
East Tennessee
East Tennessee is one of the three Grand Divisions of Tennessee defined in state law. Geographically and socioculturally distinct, it comprises approximately the eastern third of the U.S. state of Tennessee. East Tennessee consists of 33 count ...
. During her high school years, she began writing songs. She married Marvin Carroll Rauhuff just before her high school graduation in 1966. She had one son by this marriage.
Recording career
In 1967, Parton released her first album, ''In the Garden'' (a gospel project with Willadeene, Cassie and their mother). Shortly thereafter, she moved to Washington, D.C., and began performing at the Hillbilly Heaven club. Later moving to Nashville, she started her own record label, Soul, Country and Blues, in 1975 and released her first solo album, ''I Want to Hold You in My Dreams Tonight''. Its title track was a substantial national hit, climbing into the country top ten.
Its success earned her a major-label deal with Elektra in 1976.
Her 1977 duet with Carmol Taylor, "Neon Woman", was somewhat successful, and she had three top 20 hits over 1977–1978 with "The Danger of a Stranger", "Four Little Letters" and "Standard Lie Number One".
She had an additional top-40 hit with her sister Dolly's composition, "Steady as the Rain", in 1979.
She recorded three albums for Elektra up to 1979. In 1984, Stella performed a song with Kin Vassey for the soundtrack of the movie ''
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 ...
'', in which Dolly starred.
Though her chart success tapered off, after she left Elektra in 1980, she continued to record, releasing albums for several independent labels, including Accord/Townhouse and Airborne. She is currently with Raptor Records. To date, she has released 22 albums and has had 28 charting singles.
Parton has released a DVD, ''Live in Nashville'', of footage from a 1990 concert in Nashville taken from the Attic Entertainment archives. It is the first of a planned Vintage Collection Series.
In 2019, Parton released an album, ''Survivor''. In addition to eight original songs, ''Survivor'' has a cover version of "
Wake Me Up" by
Avicii
Tim Bergling (; 8 September 1989 – 20 April 2018), known professionally as Avicii (, ), was a Swedish DJ, remixer and music producer. At the age of 16, Bergling began posting his remixes on electronic music forums, which led to his first rec ...
and Parton's interpretation of the
Bob Seger
Robert Clark Seger ( ; born May 6, 1945) is an American singer, songwriter, and musician. As a locally successful Detroit-area artist, he performed and recorded as Bob Seger and the Last Heard and The Bob Seger System throughout the 1960s, break ...
classic, "
Like a Rock
''Like a Rock'' is the thirteenth studio album by American singer-songwriter Bob Seger, released in 1986. The title track is best known for being featured in Chevrolet truck commercials throughout the 1990s and early 2000s.
Content
"Fortuna ...
".
Television and film work
In 1979, Parton starred in ''
The Dukes of Hazzard
''The Dukes of Hazzard'' is an American action comedy TV series that was aired on CBS from January 26, 1979 to February 8, 1985. The show aired for 147 episodes spanning seven seasons. It was consistently among the top-rated television series ...
'' episode titled "Deputy Dukes" as Mary Beth Malone, a woman who impersonates a police officer to settle a family score with a prisoner who ends up being transported by Bo (
John Schneider) and Luke (
Tom Wopat
Thomas Steven Wopat (born September 9, 1951) is an American actor and singer. He first achieved fame as Lucas K. "Luke" Duke on the long-running television action/comedy series ''The Dukes of Hazzard''. Since then, Wopat has worked regularly, ...
) during a change of venue.
During the 1980s and early 1990s, she starred in several Broadway touring musicals, including ''
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
''Seven Brides for Seven Brothers'' is a 1954 American musical film, directed by Stanley Donen, with music by Gene de Paul, lyrics by Johnny Mercer, and choreography by Michael Kidd. The screenplay, by Albert Hackett, Frances Goodrich, and Do ...
'', ''
Pump Boys & Dinettes
''Pump Boys and Dinettes'' is a musical written by a performance group of the same name. The group, Pump Boys and Dinettes, consists of John Foley, Mark Hardwick, Debra Monk, Cass Morgan, John Schimmel and Jim Wann. The members directed and sta ...
'', ''
Best Little Whorehouse In Texas
''The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas'' is a musical with a book by Texas author Larry L. King and Peter Masterson and music and lyrics by Carol Hall. It is based on a story by King that was inspired by the real-life Chicken Ranch in La Gran ...
'' and ''
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes''. Parton also wrote and staged several
Dollywood
Dollywood is a theme park jointly owned by entertainer Dolly Parton and Herschend Family Entertainment. It is located in the Knoxville metropolitan area in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, near the gateway to The Great Smoky Mountains. Hosting nearly 3 ...
shows the opening season, as well as appearing on ''The Dukes of Hazzard'' (the first country artist to have a dramatic role on the series), ''
Live with Regis and Kathy Lee
''Live with Kelly and Ryan'' (or simply ''Live'') is an American syndicated morning talk show hosted by Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest. Executive produced by Michael Gelman, the ''Live with...'' show formula has aired under various hosts since ...
'', ''
The Today Show
''Today'' (also called ''The Today Show'' or informally, ''NBC News Today'') is an American news and talk morning television show that airs weekdays from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on NBC. The program debuted on January 14, 1952. It was ...
'' and ''
Good Morning America
''Good Morning America'' (often abbreviated as ''GMA'') is an American morning television program that is broadcast on ABC. It debuted on November 3, 1975, and first expanded to weekends with the debut of a Sunday edition on January 3, 1993. Th ...
''. She has been on several international radio programs, including ''Get Focused Radio'' with host Kate Hennessy.
Parton appeared with
Gena Rowlands
Virginia Cathryn "Gena" Rowlands (born June 19, 1930) is an American retired actress, whose career in film, stage, and television has spanned seven decades. A four-time Emmy and two-time Golden Globe winner, she is known for her collaborations ...
and
Louis Gossett
Louis Cameron Gossett Jr. (born May 27, 1936) is an American actor. Born in Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York City, He had his stage debut at the age of 17, in a school production of '' You Can't Take It with You.'' Shortly after he successfully ...
in the 2000 TV movie ''The Color of Love: Jacey's Story'' which was nominated for a Primetime Emmy award.
In 2006, Parton made appearances in two films, ''A Dance for Bethany'' and ''Ghost Town'', both scheduled for release in 2007. Each film also includes her music on the soundtrack. Also ready for release in 2007 was her 21st album, which is a collection of original contemporary Christian songs. Followed in 2008, was her 22nd album, ''
Testimony
In law and in religion, testimony is a solemn attestation as to the truth of a matter.
Etymology
The words "testimony" and "testify" both derive from the Latin word ''testis'', referring to the notion of a disinterested third-party witness.
La ...
''.
She appeared in ''
Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors'' with
Jennifer Nettles
Jennifer Odessa Nettles (born September 12, 1974) is an American singer, songwriter, actress and record producer.
Nettles is the lead vocalist of the duo Sugarland alongside Kristian Bush, and prior to this she fronted the Atlanta-based band ...
and
Ricky Schroder
Richard Bartlett Schroder (born April 13, 1970) is an American actor and filmmaker. As a child actor billed as Ricky Schroder he debuted in the film '' The Champ'' (1979), for which he became the youngest Golden Globe award recipient, and went o ...
, an
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company (NBC) is an Television in the United States, American English-language Commercial broadcasting, commercial television network, broadcast television and radio network. The flagship property of the NBC Enterta ...
made-for-TV movie based on Dolly's song of the same name that was first broadcast on
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company (NBC) is an Television in the United States, American English-language Commercial broadcasting, commercial television network, broadcast television and radio network. The flagship property of the NBC Enterta ...
in December 2015.
In 2016, Parton appeared in ''
Dolly Parton's Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love'' as Corla Bass. The
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company (NBC) is an Television in the United States, American English-language Commercial broadcasting, commercial television network, broadcast television and radio network. The flagship property of the NBC Enterta ...
TV movie was nominated for a
Primetime Emmy
The Primetime Emmy Awards, or Primetime Emmys, are part of the extensive range of Emmy Awards for artistic and technical merit for the American television industry. Bestowed by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (ATAS), the Primetime ...
award for Outstanding Television Movie.
In 2018, she took part in the BBC's ''
Celebrity Masterchef
''MasterChef'' is a competitive cooking reality show produced by Endemol Shine UK and Banijay and broadcast in 60 countries around the world. In the UK, it is produced by the BBC. The show initially ran from 1990 to 2001 and was revived in 2 ...
'' series.
She appeared as a mystery guest on ''
To Tell the Truth'' hosted by
Anthony Anderson
Anthony Anderson (born August 15, 1970) is an American actor, comedian and game show host. He is best known for his leading roles in drama series such as Marlin Boulet on '' K-Ville'', and as NYPD Detective Kevin Bernard on the NBC crime drama ' ...
in 2021, and none of the panelists guessed her as the real sibling of Dolly Parton.
In 2022 she appeared in the
Pure Flix
Pinnacle Peak Pictures (formerly Pure Flix Entertainment) is an American evangelical Christian film production and distribution studio founded by David A. R. White and Russell Wolfe. Pinnacle Peak produces Christian films, including '' God's No ...
film ''Nothing is Impossible'', starring
David A.R. White
David Andrew Roy White (born May 12, 1970) is an American actor, film director, screenwriter, film producer and businessman. He is a co-founder of Pinnacle Peak Pictures, a distribution and production company specializing in Christian faith- a ...
, which was filmed in Tennessee.
Social work
She devotes much of her time to causes such as domestic violence and teaches at the New Opportunity School for Women at
Berea College
Berea College is a private liberal arts work college in Berea, Kentucky. Founded in 1855, Berea College was the first college in the Southern United States to be coeducational and racially integrated. Berea College charges no tuition; every adm ...
, Kentucky, using her knowledge of hair and make-up to help women build self-esteem.
Parton has been a national spokesperson for
Mothers Against Drunk Driving
Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is a non-profit organization in the United States, Canada and Brazil that seeks to stop drunk driving, support those affected by drunk driving, prevent underage drinking, and strive for stricter impaired drivi ...
and the
Christian Appalachian Project
The Christian Appalachian Project (CAP) is an interdenominational non-profit organization, based in Kentucky, US. Their mission is "building hope, transforming lives, and sharing Christ's love through service in Appalachia".
CAP was establishe ...
and National Honorary Country Music Ambassador to the American Cancer Society.
Parton went viral on ''Twitter'' in December 2020 with a tweet criticizing "old moldy politicians" over the COVID-19 vaccine rollout in the United States.
Consultancy
She has a consulting business (Attic Entertainment Artist Development and Entertainment Consulting) teaching stage presence, hair, make-up, wardrobe techniques and video coaching. Parton has also written three cookbooks, including her recipe-packed book ''State Fairs and Church Bazaars''.
Discography
*''In the Garden'' (1968)
*''Stella (And the Gospel Carrolls)'' (1972)
*''I Want to Hold You in My Dreams'' (1975)
*''Country Sweet'' (1977)
*''Stella Parton'' (1978)
*''Love Ya'' (1979)
*''True to Me'' (1980)
*''So Far, So Good'' (1982)
*''Always Tomorrow'' (1989)
*''A Woman's Touch'' (1995)
*''Appalachian Blues'' (2001)
*''Blue Heart'' (2002)
*''Appalachian Gospel'' (2003)
*''Songwriter Sessions'' (2006)
*''Holiday Magic'' (2008)
*''Testimony'' (2008)
*''American Coal'' (2010)
*''Buried Treasure'' (2014)
*''Last Train to Memphis'' (2015)
*''Mountain Songbird'' (2016)
*''Nashville Nights'' (2016)
*''Old Time Singing'' (2017)
*''Survivor'' (2018)
References
External links
Stella Parton – Country, Gospel & Appalachian Music*
*
Entry at 45cat.com
{{DEFAULTSORT:Parton, Stella
1949 births
Living people
20th-century American singers
20th-century American women singers
21st-century American singers
21st-century American women singers
American country singer-songwriters
American women country singers
American Pentecostals
Christians from Tennessee
People from Sevierville, Tennessee