Get set for a dazzling new Play-Along Video shining the spotlight on powerhouse female solo stars! Pumped for a musical adventure? Spread the love by fueling me up with a virtual cup of Joe at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/elmusedtech/

This time, we're putting the spotlight on the unstoppable Dolly Parton - a super-talented singer, songwriter, musician, actress, philanthropist, businesswoman, and author. With a career spanning five epic decades, she's a global icon and a force to be reckoned with in the entertainment world!

Dolly Parton

Dolly Parton is a multifaceted artist whose illustrious career spans over five decades. Regarded as a "country music legend," she has sold more than 100 million records globally. Throughout her career, she has achieved an impressive feat of 44 Top 10 country albums and produced 10 chart-topping singles over the past four decades. Notably, she has composed over 3,000 songs and garnered 11 Grammy Awards out of 50 nominations, including the esteemed Lifetime Achievement Award. Parton has also clinched ten Country Music Association Awards, notably Entertainer of the Year, making her one of only seven female artists to claim this honor.

One of her notable achievements includes the rare feat of having a number-one single concurrently on both the country and pop music charts with "9 to 5." Parton's music is deeply influenced by her familial roots and community. Some of her most popular songs include iconic hits like “9 to 5,” “I Will Always Love You,” and “Jolene," among others. Beyond her musical prowess, she has also served as a godmother to Miley Cyrus and maintained a lasting marriage with Carl Dean for over five decades.

Parton holds an impressive array of Guinness World Records, including "Most Decades With a Top 20 Hit on the US Hot Country Songs Chart," "Most Hits on US Hot Country Songs Chart By a Female Artist," and "Most No. 1 Hits on the US Hot Country Songs Chart by a Female Artist." More fun facts include her simultaneous writing of hits like “I Will Always Love You” and “Jolene” and her reported collection of over 300 wigs.

In addition to her musical accomplishments, Dolly Parton is set to release a cookbook and is recognized for her diverse talents as a singer, songwriter, musician, actress, philanthropist, businesswoman, and author. Born Dolly Rebecca Parton on January 18, 1946, in Pittman Center, Tennessee, she continues to inspire audiences worldwide with her remarkable contributions to the world of entertainment.

9 to 5

"9 to 5" stands as a timeless classic by Dolly Parton, debuting in 1980. Here are key insights about this iconic song:

• Origins in Cinema: Dolly Parton penned and performed "9 to 5" for the comedy movie, in which she shared the screen with Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin. The song served as the film's thematic centerpiece.

• Theme and Message: The lyrics of "9 to 5" resonate with the challenges faced by the working class, particularly women, in navigating the daily struggles of the workplace.

• Chart-Topping Success: This song soared to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the U.S., reigning for two weeks. It also claimed the number one spot on country and adult contemporary charts.

• Award Recognition: The song garnered acclaim, earning Grammy Award nominations for Record of the Year and Best Female Country Vocal Performance in 1981. It also received an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song, albeit losing to "Fame."

• Empowering Influence: "9 to 5" emerged as a rallying cry for the labor force, especially women, resonating with its empowering lyrics and infectious melody.

• Enduring Presence: Decades later, "9 to 5" retains its cultural significance, frequently referenced in popular culture and utilized across various media to depict themes of empowerment and workplace dynamics.

• Adaptations and Homages: The song has inspired numerous covers and adaptations, including the Broadway rendition of "9 to 5: The Musical," which premiered in 2009, further cementing its enduring legacy.

Manipulatives

The rhythm concepts for this play-along are quarter, dotted quarter, eighth, half, and whole notes, with quarter rests and dynamics. The Google Slides included with this play-along give you fun facts about Dolly Parton as well as the rhythm patterns used in the song.

Teaching the Play-Along

To teach this, I do the following:

• Begin with a move-it using “9 to 5” to keep the steady beat with the song and warm up for class.

• Show and discuss the fun facts about Dolly.

• Introduce or review the rhythm patterns found in the song.

  • If you are reviewing, use the wheel of names to have the students perform the patterns by either adding the patterns to the wheel using jpgs or pngs, or adding the students’ names to the wheel and having them perform the pattern when their names appear.

• Use rhythm sticks to perform the play-along.

  • If there is too much sound, divide the class into groups and have them play and rest at various times.

  • Try various ways to perform on the rhythm sticks. For a whole note, have the students drop the sticks on a carpeted floor (if there is one). For eighth notes, have the students perform them by rubbing the sticks together so that they do not sound so loud.

Soundslice

This week’s video is a bit different as I used Soundslice, since I knew that it would take me less time. Curious about Soundlsice? Check out my post and video here!

COMING SOON!

Save the date for next week! Get ready for my final monthly jam session with an incredible female solo artist