Dolly Parton
I was twelve years old and had just entered seventh grade. After less than a year in my new town, I still felt like an outcast, but at least I finally had a friend. Alice and I had met in sixth grade and we developed an instant bond. My home life was less than ideal at the time, so I clung to that new friendship fiercely. I was taken aback when Alice informed me that she liked country music. What twelve-year-old liked country music? That was my dad's music, and sure, I liked some of his Buck Owens and Ray Price records, but I sure wasn't turning my transistor radio dial to the local country station. But this new friendship was important to me, so I dived into Alice's music and did my best to play catch-up. Her parents had a console stereo in their living room, like pretty much all parents did, and a decent collection of country albums. So on the days when I rode Alice's school bus to her place, we'd sit cross-legged on the living room carpet and she'd spin som...
