Dolly Parton Joins Sony/ATV Music Publishing

Pictured: Troy Tomlinson, Bruce Scavuzzo, Danny Nozell, Dolly Parton, Martin Bandier, Brian Monaco. Photo: Michael Kovac

Sony/ATV Music Publishing has signed a deal to represent the catalog of singer-songwriter Dolly Parton.

The agreement includes songs from across Parton’s entire career, including “I Will Always Love You,” “9 to 5,” “Jolene,” “Love Is Like A Butterfly” and “Two Doors Down” as well as newly-written compositions. It covers North America and territories not covered by existing sub-publishing arrangements.

Sony/ATV Chairman and CEO Martin Bandier said, “Dolly Parton is a true musical icon and we are unbelievably excited to get the chance to work with her again. Her importance, influence and legacy as a recording artist is recognized the world over, but more than anything she stands out as an exceptional songwriter with a peerless catalog of songs, which we are honored to represent.”

Parton said, “I am very excited to be working with Sony/ATV. They know my catalog and they know me. Get ready, you’re going to be hearing a lot more from me!”

Dolly Parton’s manager Danny Nozell, CEO of CTK Management, said, “With so many years of Dolly’s career being under Sony, we feel this is a great home for Dolly’s publishing administration and we’re looking forward to the partnership.”

Growing up in Locust Ridge, Tennessee, she started writing songs as a child and made her performing debut at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville as a teen. Her first success, however, was as a songwriter; two songs she wrote with her uncle Bill Owens became Top 10 hits for country singer Bill Phillips.

Parton’s own first hit as a recording artist soon followed, beginning a run of success that has included 25 Billboard country No. 1 hits, more than 50 Top 10 country songs and 44 Top 10 country albums. Many of her hits were self-composed, including the Billboard Hot 100 chart-topper “9 to 5,” “Joshua,” “Jolene,” “Love Is Like A Butterfly,” “The Bargain Store,” “Two Doors Down,” “Coat Of Many Colors” and “Do I Ever Cross Your Mind.” Her classic song “I Will Always Love You” reached No. 1 on two separate occasions for Parton before being recorded by Whitney Houston for the film The Bodyguard. Houston’s version became the biggest-selling single by a female artist of all time as it topped charts around the world, including 14 weeks at No. 1 in the United States.

She has been inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, Country Music Hall of Fame and Songwriters Hall of Fame, which also honored her with the Johnny Mercer Award, given to an individual songwriter or songwriting team for having established a history of outstanding creative works. Most recently, she became the first country artist to be named MusiCares Person of the Year, with a star-studded celebration during Grammy Week in Los Angeles, as well as a tribute performance during the televised Grammy ceremony, which included Little Big Town, Maren Morris, Kacey Musgraves, Miley Cyrus and Katy Perry.