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Dolly Parton is one of those people who somehow became much bigger than the things she originally set out to do.

She came from a tiny cabin in the Smoky Mountains, one of twelve children growing up with very little money. She started writing songs as a little girl, made her first appearance at the Grand Ole Opry at just 13, and eventually became one of the most successful songwriters, performers, businesswomen, and philanthropists in American history.

But the story of Dolly Parton isn't just the story of a country music superstar.

It's the story of a woman who was constantly underestimated—and who somehow turned being underestimated into one of her greatest advantages.

In this episode of the Everyday History Podcast, we're following Dolly's life from her childhood in the Tennessee mountains, through Nashville, her partnership with Porter Wagoner, the creation of her unmistakable image, her marriage to Carl Dean, and the songs that turned her into a household name.

We'll talk about the stories behind songs like "Jolene," "Coat of Many Colors," "9 to 5," and "I Will Always Love You."

We'll also get into Dolly's movie career, Dollywood, the Imagination Library, her business empire, and the surprisingly strategic mind behind all that blonde hair, rhinestones, and acrylic nails.

Because underneath the wigs, the makeup, the jokes, and the larger-than-life personality was something much more important:

A ridiculously talented songwriter who understood exactly who she was.

This is the life and legacy of Dolly Parton.

And yes...

we're talking about the hair.