Smart Blonde

Smart Blonde tells the remarkable story of Dolly Parton’s rise from a poor, East Tennessee childhood to superstardom in the male-dominated world of 1960s Nashville. With charm, determination and unparalleled talent, Parton built not only a musical legacy, but a multifaceted business empire.

Stephen Miller’s biography depicts Dolly’s meteoric ascent in sparkling technicolour, crafting a narrative as dazzling as the woman it celebrates. A deeply researched and entertaining portrait, Smart Blonde is full of energy and quick humour, doing justice to a strong woman who has always steered her own course.

Through rare interviews with those closest to Parton, including family members, musicians and longtime collaborators, Smart Blonde provides intimate glimpses into her famously private world. This Remastered edition covers Dolly’s enduring marriage to Carl Dean until his death in 2025, her lifelong friendship with Judy Ogle and much more.

About the Author

Stephen Miller practised as a solicitor until the early nineties when he retired in order to pursue other interests, notably American country music. For six years he reviewed albums, books and concerts and interviewed a variety of artists for a weekly country music show on commercial radio station Scot FM. He is the author of Johnny Cash: The Life of an American Icon, also published by Omnibus Press. He lives in Edinburgh.