Your Country's Right Here: Dolly Parton Offers A 'Better Day'

posted in: Country • Music News

Dolly Parton reminds fans that “Better Day” is much more than the name of her new studio album.

Even though the legendary singer, musician, actress and philanthropist ”who, by the way, writes the majority of the songs she performs ”is an international superstar now, she well remembers struggles that culminated in her own “Better Day” triumphs. Certainly one such time was in the mid 1960s when the late Porter Wagoner, known as the King of Country Gospel, championed her. At that time, Wagoner had a popular syndicated television show. When his duet partner left in 1967 to get married, he took a chance and made Parton his duet partner.

“I would say the same thing I’ve said all through the years”’Thank you,'” said Dolly when asked what she’d say to Wagoner if she could speak to him now. “Porter gave me my first big break. When I wrote [the song released in 1974 and dedicated to Wagoner] ‘I Will Always Love You,’ I wrote it from the heart. I will always be grateful to Porter.”

The spot on Wagoner’s television show gave Parton her first taste of success. The duos’ award-winning songs paved the way for Parton to sign with RCA Records in 1968 and be inducted into the Grand Ole Opry the following year.

Parton continued on Wagoner’s show until 1974 when her singles, such as “Jolene” and “Coat of Many Colors,” made her a superstar in her own right.

That status she’s maintained all of these years has only heightened her enthusiasm for writing and performing. Parton said she wrote all of the songs on the album with the exception of “Country Is,” which she-cowrote with Mac Davis.

Her goal for the album was simple”to help lift the spirits of those that are feeling downtrodden by the economy and international unrest.

“I wanted to do an album that would be very uplifting and positive, as well as inspirational,” she said. “Times are hard all over. I think people need to feel better and I though ‘Better Day’ was a perfect title because it says ‘hope.'”

Find out more about Parton, her new album and her tour on her Web site and watch her latest video for “Together (You And I)” below.