Smart Blonde: The Life of Dolly Parton: The Life of Dolly Parton

by Stephen Miller

In the first entirely new major biography of Dolly Parton for over 15 years, Stephen Miller goes behind the larger-than-life image to find out what makes Dolly Parton tick. A self-made woman in every sense, Dolly arrived on the Nashville scene as a solo performer bedecked with lurid outfits and exaggerated accessories designed to get her noticed. Later she would bring the same approach to rebuilding her face and figure, but behind the showbiz excesses were always the exquisite voice and an exceptional songwriting talent.
Talking to Dolly’s family members, musicians and producers Miller gets to the core of a remarkable woman from a poor East Tennessee background who made it in the male-dominated world of 1960s Nashville and went on to build a respectable movie career as well.
Dolly Parton’s private life has been the source of endless speculation in the press and this new biography throws light on Dolly’s mysterious and closely guarded relationships with her husband of nearly forty years, Carl Dean, and her lifelong friend Judy Ogle. Also investigated is Dolly’s ongoing use of cosmetic surgery and the question of how much longer she will be able to submit herself to the surgeon’s scalpel in her obsessive drive to maintain her larger-than-life image.


The most famous woman ever to have emerged from the American country music scene, Dolly Parton’s iconic cartoon image – mountainous blonde wigs, pumped up boobs, dazzling over-the-top outfits and five inch heels – is instantly recognised in most parts of the world. However, anyone who assumes Dolly Parton is some airhead hick from the sticks would be making a great mistake. She is an exceptionally talented singer, songwriter and businesswoman who has achieved enormous success in many fields well beyond the confines of country music.
In researching Smart Blonde, Stephen Miller spoke to many people who have been involved in all aspects of Parton’s life – family members, musicians and producers who have worked with her over the years as well as those who have been involved in the business side of things – to reach the core of the person underneath all the make-up. How was it that a girl from a genuinely poor East Tennessee background with few advantages was so determined to succeed that by the age of ten she was appearing on radio and television? And how was she then able to shrug aside the male dominated world of Nashville in the nineteen sixties, take hold of her career, sell millions of albums and get to appear on the silver screen with the likes of Jane Fonda, Burt Reynolds and Sylvester Stallone? Her image as a hugely popular gay icon will also be considered.
What emerges is a unique portrait of a strong woman who came to town looking like a burlesque hooker but who took control of her life, her music and her career with resolute determination. The funniest jokes about her appearance were always the ones Dolly told herself, and perhaps the best joke of all has been how one of America’s greatest singer-songwriters became a legend by being serious about her music while being frivolous about her image.

Press Reviews “A solid and informative read” – Record Collector magazine, UK

“Dollywood has over 30 million visitors from both cultures, and her music continues to fly off the shelves. There’s no doubt that fans will ensure ‘Smart Blonde’ does too.” – Gay Times

“An easy-to-read account of Dolly’s life, her career and her music from someone who is an obvious Dolly Parton fan, but is never afraid to be critical in his search for the truth.

Genres: Biography, Music, Nonfiction

464 pages, Paperback

First published March 15, 2007

Reviews

[Darla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I waffled back and forth on how many stars to give this book. Really a 3,5. After seeing Dolly in concert last month,it was fun to read more about her. The descriptions of all the songs she would add to each album seemed a bit tedious in the narrative, probably due to the fact that I have not heard all her albums.

I must say that the impression of her genius that I got from seeing her live was greatly reinforced by reading this book. It was named well!

In 2001 she became the artist with the largest number of Top 10 entries in the country charts, just ahead of Loretta Lynn and Merle Haggard. Also in the early 90's she was the third most photographed person in the world behind the pope and Madonna,

A quote form Douglas McPherson in "Country 'Music People" provided an excellent description Dolly: "No other country singer, living or dead, has achieved such prominence in the world cultural awareness, , ,her image is as universally recognizable as that of the billowing-skirted Marilyn Monroe or the sequined Vegas-style Elvis. She's familiar like Coca Cola and McDonald's."

[Elizabeth Ruth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Two stars is very generous for this "unauthorized" biography of Dolly Parton. I am the biggest Dolly fan ever, and I loved finding out more about Dolly's past and history.

However, I stopped reading because Miller's tone is just terrible. One of the worst cases of "man-writing-about-woman-who-is-more-successful-than-him-and-it-is-clear-he-resents-her" I have ever encountered. I got so tired of his tedious, sordid speculations and the underlyiing current of anger that Miller couldn't find out more about Parton's closely guarded personal life.

I abandoned this because it was making me so angry, despite the limited amount of new information I was learning about Dolly. I reserve the right to return to it, because quite frankly I'll read anything if I'm learning anything about Dolly Parton.

[Anna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Between the choppy editing and the questionable agenda, it is difficult for me to recommend Smart Blonde to other readers. It may appeal to those who are less picky about the flow of narration than I, and who are able to distinguish between fact and opinion. full review

[Andrea Webster · Rating 1 out of 5]

I stopped reading this because I didn't like the author's tone. You'd think if someone was going to write a biography about a celebrity they might choose a person they actually admire. I couldn't help but notice a thinly veiled dislike for dolly (maybe because he didn't get an interview?), so I decided to stop reading and save myself for one of Dolly's autobiographys.

[Chris Enss]

Author Stephen Miller’s book about the incomparable country music star and actress is hard to resist. Dolly Parton is an amazing, creative woman with great business instincts and foresight. Born into poverty in East Tennessee, Dolly got her first guitar at age eight and performed at Pentecostal churches before rising to prominence on The Porter Wagoner Show in 1967. Her career took off from there, and she became a multi-format star, writing and performing pop music as well as country songs, starring in films and musicals, and creating several successful business and charitable enterprises. Today, she is a household name, but certain aspects of her past and her current life―her marriage of nearly fifty years, in particular―remain closely guarded. Smart Blonde is a delightful journey that highlights how Dolly has lived out many of the lyrics of her enumerable self-penned songs. The profile features interviews with Dolly’s family members, musicians, and producers that not only discuss the entertainer’s career, but shed light on her private life, including her relationship with her famously publicity-shy husband, Carl Dean. It’s hard not to admire Dolly Parton after spending time with the Smart Blonde.

[L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read Dolly Parton's books on her life and this book added some of the details omitted from hers. Author Stephen Miller has done a great job of interviewing friends and family of Ms Parton, gathering facts and writing a book that not only contains clear, concise facts, but is also very interesting to read. I enjoyed reading about and understanding this showy woman and her incredible songwriting, guitar playing, helping out new artists and going where her heart leads her no matter what anyone else says. Mr. Miller leaves us feeling like Dolly Parton is not only kind and open, but like she might just be the girl next door if she weren't in the business. She is certainly driven to succeed, and succeed she has. She is certainly no "Dumb Blonde"!

[Michael Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Considering Miller had no real access to Dolly herself, he manages to get a lot of information across. A number of people did talk to the author and revealed both sides of the Parton coin, so to speak. Good read, full review to follow... http://mikesfilmtalk.com/2015/05/27/s...

[Kristy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author seems to have some bizarre font of hostility for his subject, which makes this bio at times difficult to get through. Beware.

[Lena Foster · Rating 1 out of 5]

Svensk titel: Dolly Parton en smart blondin.
Tråkig uppradning av vad hon gjort med vem och när

[Helen Pridham · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this up after seeing Dolly Parton in concert. Even though the book in "unauthorised" it doesn't really stray far from the party line.
Still, who wants to read nasty stuff about Dolly Parton?
She is Fabulous! (capital F, exclamation mark).

[Rusty Rector · Rating 3 out of 5]

While not nearly as fabulous as Dolly's personal autobiography, it does give a few new details about Dolly and those closest to her. It was a nice journey through Dolly's career...which is still going strong I might add ;0)

[Roxanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a revised editon of her biography. It has some updates on her life. She made music in a male dominated world and she has acted in movies. She is still married to Carl Dean, 50 years now. A fast read.

[Katie Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Smart blond

An earthy, true, gritty, fabulous book. Dolly Parton is a genius in every way. This book tells the truth. From her childhood,to meeting her husband to the drive that has made her who she is today. Her self depprecating sense of self. I love you Dolly!

[Kellydevon · Rating 3 out of 5]

love her

[Leslie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always loved Dolly Parton as a kid and this was a book worth reading...

[Barbara Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book. Very honest and fair.

[Tanya · Rating 1 out of 5]

didn't make it all the way through this book. it was informative but very dry

[Diana Bigam · Rating 4 out of 5]

insight to a interesting woman

I liked it Love this lady a lot and wanted to get to know her more... takes you back to the very start of her career to modern day...

[Louis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bit long and detailed for me, but I enjoyed reading about Dolly's life and if you skim some of the detail it has a really interesting and well written story.

[John Roberts · Rating 2 out of 5]

Perhaps you're booked to appear on Mastermind with Dolly as your specialist subject? Or she's your Thesis topic for your MA/Ph.D. in Biographical Research? If not you may struggle to wade through 356 tiny print pages featuring oft-repeated anecdotes and dubious showbiz tittle-tattle. There is undoubtedly a barrel full of adjectives to convey the enigma that is Dolly Parton, and Miller leaves none lurking at the bottom.
The first sixty years of Dolly's extraordinary life, from nursery to surgery, are revealed in mind-numbing detail. Welcome relief for long-suffering insomniacs but a genuine tussle for the casual reader. Just in case you've missed anything when you get to the end, Miller has thoughtfully provided an extra 33 pages of Discography, Source Notes, and Index for clarification.
Stripped to its bare bones, this is nevertheless a fascinating rags to riches story of a multi-talented singer-songwriter-musician with a great sense of humour, an acute business brain, considerable personal charisma, and shrewd political awareness.

[Mark · Rating 1 out of 5]

When I started this I got the sense that Mr Miller didn't like Ms Parton much. By the time I got to the end it felt more like he had a very grudging respect for her and I got the impression (rightly or wrongly) that he also felt she hid a lot from the public.

I do like biography and autobiography but this one I didn't like. It wasn't because of the subject but the coverage. If you're a super fan you might know every track mentioned and every album created. I'm not a super fan. I'm just someone that knows a few of her tunes and was curious about her philanthropic side. There was detail after detail about the tracks on different albums. The book could have been 2/3 shorter and still given us a good sense of the lady herself and have told her story.

It felt like the author had done lots of research and felt that all of it had to go into the book rather than making it a shorter, more enjoyable, read.

Reading this was a slog and if I spot the author's name on another biography I'll likely avoid it as a result.

[Naomi Krokowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dolly is one inspirational woman! Her legendary rise from poverty to stardom is almost a cliche but the truth, or as near as we can get to it, is a good bit better in this book. So many accomplishments are detailed here, but author Miller has also given us a pretty well rounded (ha! Yeah, punny) view of the lady herself.
In Smart Blonde we get to marvel at a woman who’s never content to rest on her laurels. Her energy and good will are boundless. Her choices to have fake hair and outward appearance are contrasting worth her genuinely good heart. Dolly may choose to look like a backwoods Barbie, but I thoroughly enjoyed reading about her truly big talent and generosity.

[Rhonda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I debated on how many stars to give this book, I'm a huge Dolly Parton fan, who isn't? I did appreciate the wealth of information in this book, however most of it is gleaned from other sources and other books, nothing new of note, having said that there is a great deal of information here and the author does a credible job presenting it. Provides a good background on Dolly's career and other aspects. Since this is the first Dolly book I'm reading, I did learn quite a bit, just not the full story in an original format.

[Melanie ⭐️ · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really didn’t enjoy this book. It didn’t seem to flow correctly and he seemed to want to pack in as much as dolly’s life as possible between the pages. The font was too small, so it took ages to read one page. The chapters where a good length and there was only 28. They’re also sorted into three acts of her life. I thought a lot of the information contained in the book was unnecessary and it needed re writing. Contained in the book was a few pictures of dolly’s life over the years, however I wish they were colour and not black and white.

[Janelle Huston-Stallkamp · Rating 3 out of 5]

I finally finished the book, took a while. It was interesting to hear what a go getter Dolly is and seems like a genuinely nice person. I felt parts of the book were taken from previous books she's written. Also, the transitions from one subject to another I felt weren't smooth. It related mostly to all the music she wrote and sang, but jumped around. I'm glad I understand her better and that she's a kind, smart and a positive person.

[S · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. 4 stars because it got slightly tedious in what I think was the author's attempt to be all inclusive regarding her work.
I came away with even more respect for Dolly Parton. She is an incredibly hard worker. And she attempts to keep relationships going eg Porter Wagoner. I didn't realize the extent of her talents
Eg so many songs ! And of course there is Dollywood and the Imagination book project ( whatever it's called).

[Kristen Lowry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love me some Dolly! ❤️

[Emily Sophia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Spent a lot of it wondering why on earth the author chose to write the book since it very rarely seems like he's a Dolly fan. Very disappointed by this read - almost DNF

[Nick Sanders · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very much a cut & paste job, without any serious input from any interviewees, let alone imput from the subject. It's useful in the sense that it saves you reading tabloids for decades on end.

[S. · Rating 3 out of 5]

“I believed it would come true because I put legs on my dreams the way people ought to put legs on their prayers.”