Judge Grants Restraining Order as Dolly Parton Family’s Legal Battle Explodes

She also wrote “I Will Always Love You.” Whitney Houston later made “I Will Always Love You” a worldwide hit.

Her impact also extends far beyond traditional country music. Parton successfully moved into pop, film, television, and mainstream entertainment without abandoning the style and personality that made her distinctive.

That crossover helped show that a country artist could become a global celebrity while still maintaining strong ties to the genre.

As a songwriter, Parton has influenced countless musicians because of her ability to tell complete stories in just a few minutes. Her songs often use simple language while dealing with complicated emotions such as jealousy, poverty, ambition, love, and loss. Artists from country, pop, rock, and other genres have recorded or cited her work.