Editor’s Note: In May 1967, the city of Morristown celebrated the opening of its famed SkyMart. Among the guests were singer and actor Tex Ritter, Porter Wagoner and a young, up and coming star Dolly Parton. Parton performed at the event and the following story appeared in the Citizen Tribune on May 7th, 1967.

One couldn’t ask to meet a more personable and warm person than Dolly Parton. I found that out after talking with her for a very few minutes that the smile in which she greets everyone is sincere and genuine. And after those few minutes, although a complete stranger to her, I felt that I had known Dolly for a lifetime.

She was born in Sevier County when she “was a baby,” one of 12 children, eight of whom are younger than she is. Her parents were at the show last night at the SkyMart and it was evident that they are proud of this daughter.

Dolly says she “was born asquallin’ and still is a-squallin’.’’

Her first professional singing appearance was at the age of 10 when she appeared on radio and television in the East Tennessee area, with her real start being on the Cas Walker Show.

At the age of 12, she appeared in the Grand Ole Opry.

The beautiful green-eyed blonde can not only sing, but she writes many Country and Western songs which are recorded by herself and other artists in the field.

She started writing when she was eight years old, having to her credit now “I’m In No Condition,” recorded by Hank Williams Jr. ; “As Long As I Love,” recorded by Barbara Herald; and “Something’ Fishy,” a present recording of her own. Along with her lead guitarist Bill Owens, also from Sevierville, she has co-written ”Fuel To The Flame,” recorded by Skeeter Davis, and “Put It Off Until Tomorrow,” her own first big hit on Decca Records.

Kitty Wells will soon have on release, a song written by Dolly.

Some of her other hits include “What Do You About Loving,” “I Wasted My Tears,” “Busy Signal,” Happy Birthday, Baby,” and “Little Things.”

“Dumb Blonde,” her biggest recording, is featured on a new album which is entitled, “Hello, I’m Dolly,” and should be available in four or five weeks.

Dolly presently has out a single which is climbing to the top on both sides. The numbers are “Somethin’ Fishy,” and “I’ve Lived My Life.”

Although she just turned 21 on Jan. 19, Dolly’s vivacious personality and determination have enabled her to achieve early success and stardom.

She said, “I always wondered what it would feel like to have a hit record out and hear it being played. When I heard my own it didn’t feel like it was me. I’ll be washing dishes or down on my hands and knees scrubbing in the corners and hear one of my recordings and it just sounds like someone else.”

Nonchalantly she added, “I can’t stand to hear myself sing.”

Although she has been asked to take parts in movies, Dolly’s interest does not lie in this field, “I just want to be a Country and Western singing star and write songs.” She will no doubt have several singing parts in movies, but as far as becoming a name actress is concerned, it has no meaning in her life.

“I love to sing and write and I have to get it out of my system.”

Dolly’s husband is a Nashville contractor and they’ve been married for about a year. Dolly’s too far ahead in her life’s ambition to give it up now, but her husband understands and they have worked the situation out.

“He misses me when I’m away, but he understands,” she commented.

In a couple of years, she would like to settle down to raising a family which will include six children.

In the meantime, her booking agent, One Niters Inc., has bookings set up for this summer in Japan.

She will also be kept busy by Monument Records, with which she is under contract to record and write and by Combine Publishing Co., for whom she writes.

Dolly’s songs are written with expressions of joy or sorrow which engulfs the listener and makes him a part of the situation. She sings with feeling and always a beautiful smile. Dolly loves to smile and loves to laugh.

This is fortunate, for she has dimples which are very become to her face. Her sense of humor is always on alert and a chance to enjoy life with those she meets seems to be her sustenance.

Dolly always ends her show with a religious song and last night did a spine chilling performance of “How Great Thou Art,” which she dedicated to her parents.

A more appropriate album title could not have been chosen to introduce this star than “Hello, I’m Dolly.”

‘Hello, I’m

Dolly’