At 79, Dolly Parton FINALLY Names The Seven Musicians She Hates Most | HO

NASHVILLE, TN — Dolly Parton: a name synonymous with big hair, a bigger heart, and a voice that’s become the soundtrack of American resilience. For decades, her rhinestone-studded persona and relentless positivity have made her both a country icon and a pop culture legend. But behind the glitter and charm, Parton’s journey through the music industry has been anything but a fairy tale. Now, at 79, the Queen of Country is finally breaking her silence, naming the seven musicians who made her life—and career—a living hell.

Beneath the Glitter: The Real Dolly Parton

Raised in a one-room Tennessee cabin with eleven siblings, Dolly’s rise from poverty to superstardom is the stuff of legend. But what fans rarely see is the grit behind the glamour. Her career has been marked by hard-fought victories, bitter betrayals, and a string of feuds that have simmered for decades. While Dolly has always preferred to “kill ‘em with kindness,” her patience has limits—and some in the industry have discovered the hard way what happens when you cross her.

The Porter Wagoner Saga: Mentor, Monster, and the Lawsuit That Shook Nashville

The first—and perhaps most infamous—name on Dolly’s blacklist is Porter Wagoner. When Dolly joined “The Porter Wagoner Show” in 1967, the duo’s chemistry was undeniable. Their harmonies were magic, their stage banter electric. But behind the scenes, the relationship was fraught with control, jealousy, and manipulation.

Wagoner, already a star, tried to mold Dolly into his ideal sidekick—choosing her songs, her wardrobe, and even her public persona. But Dolly was never content to play second fiddle. As her own star power grew, so did the tension. In 1974, she walked away from Wagoner’s show, leaving behind not just a professional partnership, but a deeply personal bond.

Wagoner’s response? A $3 million lawsuit, seeking a cut of her future earnings. The legal battle made headlines, dividing Nashville and leaving scars that would take decades to heal. Dolly, ever the diplomat, settled out of court and rarely spoke publicly about the ordeal. But those close to her say the betrayal cut deep—and that Wagoner’s name still tops her list of industry adversaries.

The Trio That Wasn’t: Linda Ronstadt, Emmylou Harris, and Creative Chaos

Next on Dolly’s list: the Trio Project with Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris. On paper, it was a dream team. In reality, it was a powder keg. Dolly’s “get in, get out” studio style clashed with Ronstadt’s perfectionism and Harris’s peacemaking. Sessions stretched on for hours, tempers flared, and at times, the only thing holding the project together was Harris’s diplomacy.

Ronstadt later called Dolly “flaky,” citing her lateness and lack of commitment. While the albums were critical and commercial successes, the personal fallout was real. “I wanted to scream at Linda more times than I could count,” Dolly admitted in a rare candid moment. The trio’s chemistry never fully recovered, and the partnership quietly dissolved after their second album.

The King and the Colonel: Elvis Presley’s Demand That Went Too Far

‘Perhaps the most shocking name on Dolly’s blacklist is Elvis Presley—or more accurately, his manager, Colonel Tom Parker. In the 1970s, Presley expressed interest in recording Dolly’s “I Will Always Love You.” For a young songwriter from Tennessee, it was the ultimate compliment. But Parker had a notorious policy: if Elvis recorded your song, he took half the publishing rights.

Dolly, understanding the value of her work, refused. “This is the most important copyright in my entire catalog. I can’t do that,” she told Parker. The deal fell through, and Elvis never recorded the song. Years later, Whitney Houston’s rendition would make Dolly millions, vindicating her tough decision. But the experience left a bitter taste—and Dolly has never forgotten the King’s attempt to take what wasn’t his.

The Shock Jock Scandal: Howard Stern Crosses the Line

In 2008, Dolly found herself at the center of a media firestorm—this time thanks to radio provocateur Howard Stern. Stern’s team took audio from Dolly’s audiobook, spliced it, and created a fake, vulgar “interview” that painted her as racist and crude. For a woman who built her brand on kindness and inclusivity, it was a devastating blow.

Dolly released a rare, emotional statement condemning the bit: “I’ve never been so shocked, hurt, and humiliated in all my life.” She even hinted at legal action—an unprecedented move from the usually unflappable star. While Stern dismissed the outrage as “just a joke,” Dolly’s fans rallied to her defense, and the incident drove a wedge between the two that lasted for years. Dolly only returned to Stern’s show 15 years later—and the tension was palpable.

The Critic’s Critique: Jeff Tweedy’s “Constructive” Insult

Indie rock darling Jeff Tweedy of Wilco fame rounds out the list of modern-day critics who underestimated Dolly’s resolve. Tweedy once dismissed her songwriting as “catchy, but not deep,” even suggesting she should have “stopped after Jolene.” While Tweedy later claimed he was a fan, the backhanded compliment didn’t sit well with Dolly—or her millions of fans.

Dolly, true to form, never responded publicly. But those close to her say she was deeply hurt by the implication that her music lacked substance. For an artist whose lyrics have been covered by legends and wept over by fans, such criticism is more than just noise—it’s personal.

The Quiet Grudges: Unnamed Rivals and Silent Wars
Not all of Dolly’s feuds have played out in public. Sources close to the singer say there are at least two other industry figures—both major names in country music—who remain on her “never again” list. While Dolly refuses to name them directly, insiders speculate that these include a prominent female artist who tried to claim credit for one of Dolly’s early hits, and a male executive who repeatedly tried to sideline her in favor of less talented (but more “marketable”) acts.

The Businesswoman Behind the Smile

Through it all, Dolly has maintained a veneer of grace. She’s never resorted to public mudslinging, preferring to let her work—and her success—speak for itself. But make no mistake: behind the southern charm is a shrewd operator who knows exactly what she’s worth. Whether it’s walking away from a bad deal with Elvis or outmaneuvering Porter Wagoner in court, Dolly’s business acumen is as legendary as her voice.

Her decision to build Dollywood in her hometown of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, rather than chasing the trappings of Hollywood, is a testament to her loyalty and vision. And her Imagination Library, which has given away millions of free books to children, shows that her commitment to giving back is more than just a PR move—it’s who she is.

The Legacy of Grace Under Fire

At 79, Dolly Parton’s career is a masterclass in resilience. She’s survived poverty, sexism, lawsuits, and sabotage. She’s written more than 3,000 songs, won every major award in music, and built a business empire that stretches from theme parks to philanthropy. But perhaps her greatest achievement is her refusal to let bitterness define her.

When asked recently about her long-standing feuds, Dolly smiled and said, “You can’t please everybody. But you can always stand up for yourself and your work.” In an industry that rewards drama and division, Dolly Parton remains a beacon of grace—and a reminder that kindness, when paired with backbone, is a force to be reckoned with.

So, who are the seven musicians Dolly Parton hates most? The real answer is less about names and more about the lessons she’s learned: value your work, trust your instincts, and never let anyone take your shine. The rest, as Dolly herself might say, is just rhinestones on the road to glory.