Dolly doing what Dolly does.
The career of Dolly Parton has been nothing short of spectacular.
Spanning nearly 7 decades long, the Pittman Center, Tennessee native is rightly known as one of the greatest voices, songwriters, performers, and philanthropists of all-time, with hits like “9 to 5,” “Jolene,” “I Will Always Love You,” and “Coat Of Many Colors” being just a few in the nearly endless stream of hits she’s had since her debut album in 1967.
Naturally, the awards have long been piling up on her trophy shelf: 11 Grammy’s, 7 ACM’s, CMA Entertainer of the Year, Country Music Hall of Fame, the National Medal of Arts, and (if she would ever accept it) multiple nominations for the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Throw in 26 number one’s and 42 top 10 albums and you have enough numbers to make your head spin.
Given all this, it only makes sense that she would hold quite a few world records – and just a few days ago she was honored with three more.
Previously, Dolly had secured seven Guinness World Records, including most decades with a top 20 hit on the US Hot Country Songs chart, most number one hits on the US Hot Country Songs chart by a female artist , and most decades on the US Hot Country Songs chart (female).
Let’s take a look at these new ones.
Longest span of number one hits on the US Top Country Albums chart (female)
This record tracks the span of time between a person’s first number one album and their last. Dolly first topped the albums chart on May 14th, 1977 with New Harvest… First Gathering and most recently took the top spot with A Holly Dolly Christmas on October 17th, 2020.
The 43 years 156 days between the two is the most for a female artist of all-time and clocks in third best overall, behind Johnny Cash at 50 years 91 days and Merle Haggard at 48 years 192 days.
Most studio albums released by a female country singer
Between 1967 and 2022, Dolly has released an incredible 65 studio albums. Every single one entered the Top 20 and eight took home a number one spot.
While I can’t find anything on overall most studio albums, I know Willie Nelson has to at least be close to it as he’s put out 98 albums and is still going strong at 90 years old.
Most Top 10 entries on the US Top Country Albums chart (female)
While all of the records are impressive, maybe none more than this one…
Of the 65 studio records Dolly released, 48(!) of them entered the top 10. While some of these are greatest hits collections, it shows the insane following Dolly still has to this day, as the 48th of those was her Diamonds & Rhinestones: The Greatest Hits Collection in late 2022.
So there you have it. Miss Dolly Parton is now the proud owner of double digit world records.
Just when you think she can’t be any more impressive, she raises the bar…
