Dolly Parton Recognized For Holding Two Guinness World Records

Dolly Parton. Photo by Richard Shotwell/Variety/REX/Shutterstock (9064179gc)

American country legend Dolly Parton has received many honors and awards in her long-lasting music career. Lately, Parton was even recognized by Guinness World Records as the record holder for Most decades with a Top 20 hit on the US Hot Country Songs chart and Most hits on the US Hot Country Songs chart by a female artist.

The 71-year-old singer has had Top 20 hits for six consecutive decades, from the 1960s to 2010s. George Jones was close to holding a record, but in the seven decades he charted (the 1950s–1990s), he only had Top 20 hits in five of them. Dolly Parton has 74 top 20 hits, “Something Fishy” from 1967 being her first one and a new version of “Jolene” with Pentatonix from 2016 being the latest one.

“To receive these two Guinness World Records is so great. Joining so many wonderful singers and songwriters who have been honoured this way feels so special to me. You never know when you start out with your work how it’s going to turn out, but to have these two world records makes me feel very humbled and blessed!” – Dolly Parton commented on her success.

The 2016 version of Jolene was also Parton’s 107th chart entry, earning her the Most hits on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart by a female artist record. In case you are wondering, the first one was her 1967 debut “Dumb Blonde.”

“I’ve always just written from my heart,” – she said about her songs. “I try not to dwell on just trying to be commercial and what’s a radio hit. Usually, when an idea hits me, it comes from my heart.”

To make it all official, Guinness World Records crew visited Parton in Nashville and did an interview with her. You can check it out below.