Stella Parton
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| Stella Parton | |
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 Stella Parton
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Stella Parton |
| Born | May 4, 1949 |
| Origin | Sevierville, Tennessee |
| Genre(s) | Country, Gospel |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, Songwriter, Actress |
| Years active | 1975– Present |
| Label(s) | Mint Records Elektra Records Country Soul Records |
| Associated acts | Dolly Parton |
Stella Parton (born May 4, 1949) is an American Country Music singer and songwriter. She is the younger sister of country music icon Dolly Parton. With the help of her sister, Stella Parton became a successful Country singer in her own right during the late 70s. Her biggest hit was the 1975 song "I Want to Hold You In My Dreams Tonight".
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[edit] Early life
She was born in Sevierville, Tennessee, the sixth of twelve children born to Robert Lee Parton and Avie Lee Owens. Her siblings are Willadeene Parton, David Parton, Denver Parton, superstar country singer and actress Dolly Parton, Bobby Parton, Cassie Parton, Larry Parton, Randy Parton, twins Floyd Parton and Freida Parton, and Rachel Dennison (an actress). When she was just seven, she and sister Dolly went on a local Knoxville, Tennessee TV program. Two years later, at nine years old, she debuted on radio. It was around this time, that Stella and her two other sisters formed a group that sang Gospel and commercial jingles around the eastern Tennessee area. Parton, also a gifted songwriter, began honing her skills in high school. She married prior to high school graduation on December, 1966 and her son was born almost 2 years later.
[edit] Recording career
In 1967, Parton released her first album, In The Garden (a gospel project with her sisters, Willadeene and Cassie and mother, Avie Lee). Shortly thereafter, she moved to Washington, DC and began performing country music at Hillbilly Heaven. Later moving to Nashville, she started her own record label, Soul, Country And Blues, in 1975 and released an album called I Want to Hold You in My Dreams Tonight. Its title track was a substantial national hit, climbing into the country Top Ten, and landed her a major-label deal with Elektra in 1976. Her 1977 duet with Carmol Taylor, "Neon Woman," was somewhat successful, and she scored three Top 20 hits over 1977-1978 with "The Danger of a Stranger," "Four Little Letters," and "Standard Lie Number One." She recorded a total of three albums for Elektra through 1979.
After leaving Elektra, Stella recorded for several independent labels including Accord/Townhouse, Airborne and currently Raptor Records. To date, she has released 20 albums with 28 chart singles. Parton's discography includes: In The Garden, Stella And The Gospel Carrolls, I Want To Hold You In My Dreams, Country Sweet, Stella Parton, Love Ya, The Best Of Stella Parton, So Far, So Good, True To Me, Always Tomorrow, Favorites Vol. 1, Picture In A Frame, A Woman's Touch, Anthology, Appalachian Blues, Blue Heart, Appalachian Gospel, Favorites Vol. 2, Favorites Vol. 3 and Songwriter Sessions.
[edit] Other Careers and Life Today
In 1979, Stella starred in the Dukes of Hazzard episode titled "Deputy Dukes" as Mary Beth, a woman who impersonates a police officer in order to settle a family score with a prisoner who Bo and Luke end up transporting during a change of venue.
During the '80s and early '90s, Stella starred in several Broadway touring musicals including Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Pump Boys & Dinettes, Best Little Whorehouse In Texas and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes; she also wrote and staged several Dollywood shows the opening season as well as appearing on The Dukes of Hazzard (the first country artist to have a dramatic role on the series), Regis, The Today Show and Good Morning America.
Parton has also written three cookbooks, including her latest recipe-packed book, State Fairs and Church Bazaars.
But entertainment is not the only area where Parton shines. She devotes much of her time to causes like domestic violence and, typical of her hands on approach, teaches at the New Opportunity School for Women at Berea College in Berea, KY, utilizing her knowledge of hair and makeup to help women build self-esteem. She also has a thriving consulting business, Attic Entertainment Artist Development & Entertainment Consulting, teaching stage presence, hair, makeup, wardrobe techniques and video coaching.
Parton has served as national spokesperson for Mothers Against Drunk Driving and the Christian Appalachian Project and National Honorary Country Music Ambassador to the American Cancer Society.
In addition to her other ventures, Parton continues to receive awards for her music, most recently receiving Entertainer of the Year and Album of the Year (Alabama Country & Gospel Music Hall of Fame / 2006), American Old-Time Country Music Hall of Fame (Inductee / 2006), Female Vocalist of the Year (Christian Country Music Association / 2004) and Mainstream Country Artist of the Year (Christian Country Music Association / 2002). (Visit stellaparton.com for a complete listing)
In 2006, Parton made appearances in two films, A Dance for Bethany and Ghost Town, both slated for release in 2007. Each film also includes Stella's music on the soundtrack. Also ready for release in 2007 is her 21st album which is a collection of original Contemporary Christian songs.
[edit] Discography
[edit] Singles
| Year | Single | U.S. Country Singles | Album |
| 1975 | "I Want to Hold You in My Dreams Tonight" | 9 | I Want to Hold You In My Dreams Tonight |
| 1977 | "I'm Not That Good At Goodbye" | 60 | Country Sweet |
| 1977 | "The Danger of a Stranger" | 15 | Country Sweet |
| 1978 | "Four Little Letters" | 20 | Stella Parton |
| 1978 | "Standard Lie Number One" | 14 | Country Sweet |
| 1978 | "Stormy Weather" | 21 | Love Ya |
| 1978 | "Undercover Lovers" | 28 | Stella Parton |
| 1979 | "Steady As the Rain" | 26 | Love Ya |
| 1979 | "The Room at the Top of the Stars" | 36 | Love Ya |
| 1982 | "Young Love" | 75 | Anthology |
| 1989 | "I Don't Miss You Like I Used To" | 74 | Anthology |
[edit] Selected Albums
| Year | Album |
| 1968 | In The Garden |
| 1971 | Stella & The Gospel Carrolls |
| 1975 | I Want to Hold You in My Dreams Tonight |
| 1977 | Country Sweet |
| 1978 | Stella Parton |
| 1979 | Love Ya |
| 1979 | The Best of Stella Parton |
| 1979 | True To Me |
| 1983 | So Far So Good |
| 1985 | Always Tomorrow |
| 1987 | Picture In A Frame |
| 1988 | Favorites, Vol. 1 |
| 1998 | Anthology |
| 2000 | Applalachian Blues |
| 2001 | Blue Heart |
| 2003 | Applalachian Gospel |
| 2004 | Favorites, Vol. 2 |
| 2005 | Favorites, Vol. 3 |
| 2006 | Songwriter Sessions |
