Who did Dolly Parton refuse to sing with?

Asked by: Prof. Gustave Howell  |  Last update: June 29, 2026
Score: 4.5/5 (63 votes)

Dolly Parton refused to let Elvis Presley cover her hit song "I Will Always Love You" in the 1970s. While she was excited for him to sing it, she denied the request because Elvis's manager, Colonel Tom Parker, demanded that she sign over half of the song's publishing rights, which she refused to do.

What did Whoopi Goldberg say about Dolly Parton?

Whoopi Goldberg strongly defended Dolly Parton on The View in November 2023, telling critics to "[b]ite me" after they suggested the then-77-year-old Parton should "dress her age" following her revealing Dallas Cowboys cheerleader outfit. Goldberg argued that Parton looks great and can wear whatever she wants.

What singer did Johnny Cash refuse to sing with?

Johnny Cash refused to sing specific songs requested by President Richard Nixon at a 1970 White House performance, including "Okie from Muskogee" and "Welfare Cadillac". Cash declined to perform these songs because they were hits for other artists (primarily Merle Haggard) and because he felt they were "[lightning rods for antihippie and antiblack sentiment]".

What song did Dolly Parton refuse to let Elvis Presley record?

Dolly Parton famously refused to let Elvis Presley record a cover of her iconic 1974 hit, "I Will Always Love You". She denied the request because Elvis's manager, Colonel Tom Parker, demanded that she sign over half of the song's publishing rights, which she refused to do.

What is Dolly Parton's cup size?

Dolly Parton has never publicly revealed her exact bra or cup size. However, in pop culture, her size is widely reported as 40DD.

Why Dolly Parton Said No When Elvis Wanted to Record “I Will Always Love You”

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Do Cher and Dolly Parton get along?

Yes, Cher and Dolly Parton are long-time friends and mutual admirers who have maintained a bond since at least the late 1970s. Despite a hesitant first meeting, they have expressed deep admiration for each other over the decades, collaborating on television specials and publicly praising one another.

Who is Dolly Parton's best friend in real life?

Dolly Parton's best friend in real life is Judy Ogle, a friendship that has spanned over six decades since they were children in Sevierville, Tennessee. They have been inseparable since third grade, with Ogle often serving as a personal assistant and confidante, described by Parton as a "sister" and lifelong, trusted companion.

Who had a crush on Dolly Parton?

Country music legend Merle Haggard had a well-documented, deep crush on Dolly Parton in the mid-1970s. During their tours together, he became infatuated with her, even writing his 1975 song "Always Wanting You" about his unrequited feelings, as she was happily married to Carl Dean.

What did Bob Dylan say when Johnny Cash died?

Following Johnny Cash's death in September 2003, Bob Dylan honored his close friend by calling him the "North Star" of music and a man who "rises above all". In a heartfelt tribute, Dylan described Cash as a "fountain of truth, light and beauty" who couldn't be defined.

What singer can hit all 8 octaves?

Brazilian singer Georgia Brown holds the Guinness World Record for the widest female vocal range, spanning eight octaves from G2cap G sub 2𝐺2 to G10cap G sub 10𝐺10 [5, 6]. Another notable artist with a remarkably wide range (over 8 octaves, potentially 10) is American singer Tim Storms, who holds records for the lowest notes produced by a human [1, 5].

Who turned down Elvis twice?

Musician and arranger Johnny Harris is known as the man who turned down Elvis Presley twice. Harris, a respected musical director, is the subject of a biography titled Johnny Harris: The Man Who Turned Down Elvis Twice by Julie Pearce-Martin, detailing his career and interactions with major stars.

Did Dolly Parton actually date Elvis?

No, Dolly Parton and Elvis Presley never dated, and they actually never even met in person.

What did Sinatra say when Elvis died?

Following Elvis Presley's death in August 1977, Frank Sinatra described him as a "warm, considerate, and generous man" whom he would "miss dearly as a friend". Despite their earlier, well-known, and sometimes contentious rivalry, Sinatra paid tribute to Elvis as a "gentle" and "fine" man who did much for American music.

Are Dolly's breasts natural?

No, Dolly Parton's breasts are not natural. She has openly confirmed having breast implants and augmentation surgery throughout her career. While she previously joked about them being "real," she has admitted to having, and later reducing, her breast implants, alongside other cosmetic procedures, often joking, "It takes a lot of money to look this cheap".

Why does Dolly Parton always wear long sleeve dresses?

Dolly Parton wears long sleeves, gloves, and high-necked outfits primarily to cover small tattoos and keloid scars on her arms and body. She has explained that she has a tendency to form keloid scars that can appear discolored, so she uses pastel tattoos to cover them, and clothing to keep her tattoos and skin private.

What's Dolly Parton's real hair color?

Dolly Parton’s natural hair color is a sandy or light blonde. While she is famous for her bright bleached-blonde wigs, she has revealed that her own hair is naturally blonde but less "radiant" than her stage persona, describing it as "sandy". She has worn wigs since the 1960s to protect her natural hair from over-processing.

What is the tragedy of Chaz Bono?

Chaz Bono's life has been marked by significant personal hardships, primarily the estrangement from his father, Sonny Bono, before his sudden death in 1998, as well as being forcibly outed as gay by the media in the 1990s. These challenges, alongside navigating his transition in the public eye, define the struggles he has faced.

Was Dolly Parton faithful to her husband?

Dolly Parton was married to Carl Thomas Dean for 58 years (from 1966 until his death in 2025), maintaining a famously private, long-term bond. While she described their marriage as having an "open" feel due to mutual freedom to flirt, she has clarified this meant no physical infidelity, though she once admitted to a "heart affair".

How does Dolly keep a small waist?

Dolly Parton maintains her famously small waist through a combination of a low-carbohydrate, moderation-based diet, consistent "diddly squats" and stretches rather than heavy exercise, and strategic styling. She famously jokes that her waist is small because "nothing grows in the shade" and has noted using her wigs to hide microphone packs to keep her silhouette slim.

What did Kenny Rogers' ex-wife say about Dolly Parton?

Marianne Gordon, Kenny Rogers' fourth wife, stated she never felt uncomfortable or jealous of his close relationship with Dolly Parton, describing Parton as a "fun girl" who was never a threat. Gordon noted that she understood their intense on-stage chemistry was purely professional, often joking that she "never felt uncomfortable" because she knew Kenny so well.

Why did Judge Judy's husband leave her?

Judge Judy (Judy Sheindlin) and her husband Jerry Sheindlin divorced in 1990 due to emotional strain following the death of her father, which caused a rift in their 12-year marriage. Judy felt unsupported during her grief, and after she gave him an ultimatum to step up, Jerry filed for divorce, though they remarried in 1991.

What is Dolly Parton's favorite food?

Dolly Parton's favorite food is potatoes, which she has described as her go-to comfort food, whether they are mashed, baked, or fried. She has stated that she has "never met a spud [she] didn't like" and joked that every diet she has ever broken was due to her love for potatoes.

What was Dolly Parton's cup size?

Apparently in '94, she reported her measurements as 38-26-36, but other places say 40DD-20-36, putting her anywhere from a 28J to 24KK.

Who did Dolly Parton flirt with?

Dolly Parton is famous for her playful, charismatic flirting, most notably maintaining a 30-year "electric" flirtation with her close friend and collaborator Kenny Rogers. She was also known to playfully flirt with fellow artists, such as a young Randy Travis on television, and has often joked about her admiration for attractive men in interviews.

What was Dolly Parton's IQ?

Multiple sources have reported that Dolly Parton's IQ is around 140 to 145, placing her well within the gifted range. Her high intelligence is often cited alongside her quick wit and brilliant songwriting career, having written nearly 5,000 songs.