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Dolly Parton took control of her career by making men the butt of the joke
Parton turned comic songs into a strategy for creative control, helping her build a solo career with major hits after leaving Porter Wagoner.
- On August 25, 2026, Dolly Parton died, leaving a legacy of using humor to navigate an industry that scholar Stephanie Vander Wel described as "hostile to women."
- Performing on "The Porter Wagoner Show" since 1967, Parton felt confined by playing second fiddle to Wagoner, who often dismissed her creative vision despite her commercial success.
- After leaving the show, Parton wrote hits including "Jolene" and "I Will Always Love You," while her 1976 album "All I Can Do" earned a Grammy nomination.
- Through her public persona, Parton subverted gender stereotypes, famously stating, "It costs a lot of money to look this cheap," and addressing insults in her song "Dumb Blonde."
- Female artists continue facing industry challenges; as recently as 2015, radio consultant Keith Hill controversially described women as "tomatoes" and men as "lettuce" at country stations.
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Dolly Parton took control of her career by making men the butt of the joke
Dolly Parton was fond of saying, 'It takes a lot of money to look this cheap.' Paul Natkin/Getty ImagesOf all the moments that capture Dolly Parton’s musical talents, fierce intelligence and driving ambition, I often find myself thinking back to an awkward, ad-libbed live television duet on “The Porter Wagoner Show.” The year was 1973. Parton had been performing alongside Wagoner on the syndicated variety show since 1967. Though this had been he…
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Total News Sources23
Leaning Left2Leaning Right8Center13Last UpdatedBias Distribution56% Center
Bias Distribution
- 56% of the sources are Center
56% Center
C 56%
R 35%
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