NPR
Dolly Parton didn't just write hits — she created an American songbook
Wednesday, August 26, 2026
Dolly Parton died on Tuesday at age 80. During her career, Parton wrote songs that became part of country music's standard repertoire, including compositions recorded by artists across multiple genres.
Original reporting: https://www.npr.org/2026/08/26/nx-s1-5944468/dolly-parton-legacy-songwriting