Dolly Parton’s incredible journey from a poor little girl in Locust Ridge, Tennessee, to a household name in American music has long been celebrated. But her rise to fame is more than a story of talent and success—it’s also a tale filled with hardships, unexpected feuds, and lasting resentments. While Dolly’s career has been dotted with major successes and historic collaborations, there’s one partnership that, over time, turned sour and brought out a side of Dolly few have seen. It involved Linda Ronstadt, another legend in her own right. Despite their shared vision of blending their unique styles, this partnership devolved into a clash of egos and creative differences so intense that Dolly carried a grudge for decades.
Born in 1946, Dolly grew up in a family of 12 in the Great Smoky Mountains, where poverty was a constant challenge. Despite these hardships, Dolly’s love for music blossomed early, instilled by her mother’s folk songs and her experiences singing in a Pentecostal church. Her first guitar, gifted by her uncle, became the tool she used to channel her emotions into music, eventually launching her into the spotlight.
But while Dolly found success in Nashville, her journey was far from smooth. Early on, she was told to conform, but Dolly stuck to her unique style, quickly proving herself as both a songwriter and performer. Her 1967 collaboration with Porter Wagoner on The Porter Wagoner Show was one of her biggest breaks, with their duets bringing her national fame and a lasting place in the music industry. However, Dolly’s true breakthrough came with hits like Jolene and I Will Always Love You—songs that showcased her knack for storytelling and emotional depth.
By the late ’70s, Dolly’s career expanded from country to pop, scoring crossover hits like Here You Come Again. Her 1983 duet with Kenny Rogers, Islands in the Stream, solidified her ability to merge country and pop seamlessly. But it was her work with Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt in the late 1980s on the Trio album that brought her both critical acclaim and intense frustration.
Initially, Dolly, Linda, and Emmylou came together out of mutual admiration, hoping to create something that bridged their individual musical styles. But while the album became a commercial and critical success, the recording sessions were marred by explosive tensions, particularly between Dolly and Linda. The problem lay in their starkly different approaches: Dolly preferred an organic, raw style, while Linda was known for her perfectionism and obsession with detail. Linda’s demands for endless retakes and her insistence on “perfect” harmony grated on Dolly, who felt stifled and unable to express herself. Linda, in turn, saw Dolly as far too lax and uncommitted to the project, leading to personal animosities that would endure for years.
Despite these bitter clashes, Trio was a smash hit, proving that even conflict-ridden collaborations can produce powerful results. But for Dolly, the experience left a lasting mark. Years later, she admitted the strain it had put on her and the frustration she had felt under Linda’s meticulous demands. While the two reconciled publicly, there were still unresolved feelings. Emmylou Harris, often caught between the two as the peacemaker, managed to keep their partnership intact, but she knew that Dolly’s resentment lingered.
Their tumultuous collaboration eventually produced a second album, Trio II, recorded in the late 1990s. This time, the women were older, with a renewed respect for each other’s artistic visions. They worked more smoothly together, but the deep-seated tension was never fully forgotten.
Through it all, Dolly has proven herself as one of the most resilient figures in country music, navigating personal and professional challenges alike. Even at 78, she’s one of the most beloved and enduring icons, and while she’s spoken of forgiveness, there’s no denying that her experience with Linda Ronstadt left a mark. Their collaboration may be celebrated as a triumph in music, but it was also a reminder that sometimes, even the most cherished partnerships can be fraught with bitterness and unresolved feelings that last a lifetime.
