Her First Guitar

At age 8, Dolly Parton’s musical dreams got their first real spark when she received her first guitar, a gift from her singer and songwriter relative, Bill Owens. Before that, she had been making music on homemade instruments, like a guitar she crafted from an old mandolin and a few strings.

But this new, real guitar opened up a world of possibilities for young Dolly. She immediately began writing songs, pouring her heart into every note. This simple, inexpensive instrument became the first tool in shaping her into the country music icon she would become, igniting a lifelong passion for storytelling through song.