Hello Dolly, my new favorite rock star

Many entertainers, especially musicians, are defined by the decade in which they peaked. Very few have the ability to reinvent themselves and remain relevant for multiple decades or a lifetime.

Dolly Parton is one of those rare souls who has managed to improve on perfection and broaden her horizons well beyond being a “girl singer” of the ’60s and ’70s. The 78-year-old singer-songwriter-actress-entrepreneur-philanthropist-etc. has elevated her game in many ways in the last 56 years.

Parton is best known as a country music singer and songwriter. Last year she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (go figure). Since she didn’t consider herself a rock performer, she went out and made a rock album called “Rockstar.” The 30-track album contains a few original songs, but is mostly duets covering hits by other performers.

Among the artists teaming up with her on “Rockstar” are former Beatles Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, Steve Perry (Journey), Elton John, Ann Wilson (Heart), Pat Benatar, Stevie Nicks, Kevin Cronin (REO Speedwagon), Peter Frampton, her goddaughter Miley Cyrus, and many others.

My daughter got me the CD for Christmas. I am impressed. Parton’s voice has changed a little but she can still belt out a tune. There is some playful banter with some of her duet partners and a few of the songs are excessively long (seven go past the five-minute mark and one tops 10 minutes), but overall, it’s a must-have for my collection.

I’ve been a fan of Dolly Parton as long as I can remember. I grew up listening to her music on the radio and seeing her on TV. I’ve enjoyed most of the movies she made (ever seen “Rhinestone”?). Back in the mid-1990s I read her autobiography “Dolly: My Life and Other Unfinished Business” and last year listened to the audio version of “Run, Rose, Run” which she co-authored with James Patterson.

Born into Appalachian poverty, Parton embarked on her career as a songwriter and then singer. Fiercely independent, she bucked the good ol’ boy system and made her own way in life. Wielding pluck and humor as well as a pen and guitar, Parton defined herself, making the music she wanted on her own terms.

Inspired by a town tramp, Parton famously fashioned her own figure, gaining notoriety and endless jokes for her big blonde hair and ample bosom.

“It takes a lot of money to look this cheap,” she’s often quoted as saying.

Parton expanded her talents into acting in the 1980s when she starred in “9 to 5,” “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas,” “Steel Magnolias” and others. Not content to be just an entertainer, she also moved into management and spread her entrepreneurial wings. She opened the Dollywood theme park and now has the Dollywood Company and several theme parks and other attractions.

Her philanthropic side is literally about literacy and books. She established the Dollywood Foundation and launched the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, which gives books to children from birth to kindergarten. So far, she has given away over 100 million books. She has also supported and contributed too many noble causes.

One of the things I love about Dolly Parton is how she manages to meet challenges head-on with grace and wit. Rather than being offended by jokes about her, she plays along and encourages the laughter. She once reported that she entered a Dolly Parton look-alike contest – and lost!

I once had a horrific nightmare about Dolly. I dreamt that she was my mother … and I was bottle-fed!

Sorry, bad joke. I return now to the serious side of my admiration for this incredible woman. She has received more honors and awards than just about any entertainer in history. In addition to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, she has been named to 17 other halls of fame. She’s been twice nominated for an Academy Award, has won several Grammy Awards, and been presented countless country music and other industry awards.

I find it disappointing that Dolly Parton has not been named Person of the Year by Time magazine. Instead, they gave that honor to the pop tart who’s dating the football player. It’s not that Dolly needs any more accolades. Her place in history is secure. She has decades of ever-increasing success and it’s doubtful that she’s peaked yet. So keep on rocking, Dolly!