"9 To 5"? Dolly Parton Writes 24/7

feature

Dolly Parton photo courtesy of Dolly Records.


April 17, 2008 - Dolly Parton knows what it's like to take her work home from the office; apparently, nearly every spot in her home is her office. After all, she makes her living as both a singer and a songwriter, and she keeps the tools of the trade well-stocked so that she'll be able to take advantage of inspiration when it hits her.

"I write everywhere," she told host Suzanne Alexander on the national radio show GAC Nights: Live From Nashville. "I keep notepads by my bathtub, by my bed, in the kitchen. I mean, I'm never without a pencil and paper somewhere, 'cause something'll hit me and I'll forget it before I get to the next room, you know, if I don't write that down right now."

Dolly is particularly aware of songs that come to her in her dreams, and she tries to get them down on paper in the middle of the night. She recalls one dream in which she created a new song, then saw herself receiving an award for Song of the Year.

"I thought, 'I better write that when I get up,'" she said.

Of course, as one old pop song suggests, there's got to be a morning after...

"Sometimes," she admitted, "you laugh, 'cause it's terrible, something you thought was so good in your sleep."

Today's News & Notes
    Top Videos
    • Trace Adkins hooks up with legendary band Exile for "Kiss You All Over." Watch »

    • Miley Cyrus pays tribute to Dylan on "You’re Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go." Watch »

    • Buddy Jewel is back and in good company for his new video "Jesus, Elvis and Me." Watch »

    • Country newcomer Maggie Sajak is gushing over her debut video "First Kiss." Watch »

    • Jason Cassidy tries to push the brakes on a break up in his new video "What If." Watch »

    • Craig Morgan chases actress Angie Harmon in his latest video "This Ole Boy." Watch »

    Get Social With GAC
    • Message Boards

      Join the conversation about your favorite artists.

    • Fan Photo Galleries

      Share your photos with country music fans.

    • Superfan

      Watch GAC. Earn points. Get cool prizes.

    • Blog

      Stay up-to-date with all of our daily country news.

    • YouTube

      Watch our videos on our YouTube channel.

    .