Dolly Parton’s “Coat of Many Colors” Named to the National Recording Registry by Library of Congress
Nashville, TN
(May 24, 2012) – Dolly Parton’s self-penned song “Coat of Many Colors”
added to The Library of Congress National Recording Registry. Each
year the Library of Congress selects 25 recordings that are
“historically”, “culturally”, or “aesthetically significant” and are at
least 10 years old to be added to the National Recording Registry, with
selections that are being added to the registry now bringing the total
number of recordings to 350.
The autobiographical song, “Coat of Many
Colors,” affectionately recounts an impoverished childhood in the hills
of Tennessee that was made rich by the love of her family. The song was
instrumental in establishing Parton’s credibility as a songwriter. Her
voice uplifts the song with emotion and tender remembrances of her
close-knit musical family. Parton has called “Coat of Many Colors” the
favorite of her compositions because of the attitude and philosophy it
reflects. Parton’s prolific songwriting career has embraced many
different musical styles, including pop, jazz and bluegrass, as well as
country. Dolly Parton was voted the Country Music
Association’s Female Vocalist of the Year for 1975 and 1976, and the its
Entertainer of the Year in 1978. She also was inducted into the Country
Music Hall of Fame in 1999.
The goal is for this nation to continue to invest in the preservation
of the selections on the National Recording Registry so they will
forever be preserved for future generations to know. This is part of
the Library’s mission that has been Congressionally mandated.
Nominations for inclusion are gathered from online submissions from the
public and from the National Recording Preservation Board, which
comprises leaders in the fields of music, recorded sound and
preservation.
Founded in 1800, the Library of Congress is the nation’s oldest federal
cultural institution. The Library seeks to spark imagination and
creativity and to further human understanding and wisdom by providing
access to knowledge through its magnificent collections, programs and
exhibitions. Many of the Library’s rich resources can be accessed
through its website at www.loc.gov.