Dolly Parton's Work Ethic and Staying True to Herself and Her Community

Despite limited opportunities growing up in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, Dolly Parton spun her father's enterprising work ethic into her own hard-won business savvy. In this video, the Museum's Allison Moorer discusses how the exhibition "Dolly Parton: Journey of a Seeker" explores this theme.

By the 1980s Dolly Parton had long broken through as a successful singer-songwriter. She was determined to break new ground. When Parton launched Sandollar Productions in 1986, the combination of her inexperience as a Hollywood producer and the typical failure rate of small film companies led to dire predictions. When she considered investing in a theme park in her native Smoky Mountains, a chorus of advisers warned against it. Where others saw pitfalls, she saw potential. As she had done many times before, Parton transformed criticism into determination.

Sandollar Productions was a resounding success. The company earned respect with titles including "Common Threads: Stories from the Quilt" (1989), an award-winning documentary about the Names Project Memorial AIDS Quilt; "Father of the Bride" (1991), a smash comedy starring Steve Martin; and the fan-favorite TV series "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" (1997–2003). Today Dollywood is one of the most popular theme parks in the world, offering a mix of cutting-edge thrill rides, down-home entertainment, and natural beauty.

"Dolly Parton: Journey of a Seeker" is open now through September 2026. Explore turning points in Parton’s life and career through the decades. Reserve tickets today: https://www.countrymusichalloffame.org/calendar/dolly-parton-journey-of-a-seeker