'Most importantly, I don't have any desire to do things that aren't true to me. True to me is being a country person with a country accent '” and there so many possibilities that haven't been touched.' '” Dolly Parton, Saturday Evening Post, October 1989 The fourth of twelve siblings, Dolly Parton was born to Robert Lee Parton and Avie Lee Owens in Sevierville, Tennessee, on January 19, 1946. Dolly's parents were parishioners at the Assembly of God church, and to which she attributes her foundation for music. She started very early as a kid, singing for radio and appearing on television; she appeared on Knoxville TV when she was barely 12-years-old, and the next year at Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, where she also met her partner for life ' Carl Dean, who has always shunned away from the limelight. Dolly gained initial recognition as a song writer for country songs, which were covered by many prominent singers of the 60s. In 1965, she signed on with Monument Records, and composed and sung a few songs including 'Happy, Happy Birthday Baby', 'Put it off until Tomorrow', 'Dumb Blonde', and 'Something Fishy.' Thereafter, Dolly signed ventures with many labels and a few of her songs hit the Top #10 country charts. Although she was typecast as a country song composer and singer, she had her major commercial break as a pop singer and actress. She emerged as an actress during the mid 70s and entered films in 1980 as a debutante in '9 to 5'. Dolly is probably the most honored country artiste with several awards including seven Grammies and the 'Entertainer of the Year' to her credit. She has invested most of her earnings in business ventures that she has set up in her home town of Tennessee. Dollywood, her theme park, and Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede, a dinner show, has helped the area thrive as a tourist attraction.