Culture
21 Jan 21

Country singer Randy Parton, brother of Dolly, dies at 67 following cancer battle

Randy recorded a handful of country singles in the 1970s and early '80s, but is best known for the chart-topping Dolly Parton duet, 'Old Flames Can’t Hold A Candle To You'.

Randy Parton, renowned country singer and youngest brother to Dolly Parton, has died at age 67.

Parton died of cancer, according to a Facebook post published by his sister on Thursday, January 21st,

"The family and I are grieving his loss but we know he is in a better place than we are at this time," Dolly Parton wrote to her social media followers.

"We are a family of faith and we believe that he is safe with God and that he is joined by members of the family that have gone on before and have welcomed him with joy and open arms," the statement added.

"We will always love him and he will always be in our hearts."

Born on December 15th, 1953; Randy Parton was one of 12 children raised by Avie Lee Parton and Robert Lee Parton in Tennessee.

He was a Dollywood fixture, connecting visitors to the musical East Tennessee family with popular live performances — including seasonal favourite "My People, My Music" — at the park.

He began hosting shows at Dollywood in 1986, according to Parton's post. Randy also shared stages with Dolly Parton, playing guitar and bass in her band.

His recording career included a 1982 cut of 'Roll On (Eighteen Wheeler),' which Randy Parton debuted two years before country band Alabama released a version that topped country charts.

In another family collaboration, he sang on the soundtrack to the 1984 film 'Rhinestone,' starring Dolly Parton.

Randy Parton last appeared on an album in 2020, singing with his sister on 'You Are My Christmas' as part of the star's A Holly Dolly Christmas LP.

Randy Parton's daughter, Heidi, who is also part of the Dollywood entertainment dynasty, joined on the song.

"He was born around Christmas time and he was our Christmas baby," Parton told The Tennessean in 2020. "We always called him 'Christmas' just for fun. ... I just thought, well, I'm gonna write a song for him to sing with me."

Those wishing to honour Randy Parton are invited to donate to the Imagination Library.