Dolly Parton – $500 million
Greatest Hits: Jolene, I Will Always Love You, 9 to 5
Dolly Parton, in addition to being a popular singer, has written over 3,000 songs. Whitney Houston wrote, “I Will Always Love You,” and almost every popular artist covered that song. Interviewed about her songwriting, she said that she began writing when she was just seven years old. Whether it’s a poem, concept, album, or little tidbit, she said she’s trying to write something every day. With a deep religious tradition in the Appalachian Mountains, she was influenced by her folk childhood. She won 35 BMI Awards.
Dolly Parton – $500 Million
Tom Petty – $95 million
Greatest Hits: Here Comes My Girl, Refugee, Don’t Do Me Like That
Tom Petty, a musician, was one of the best-selling artists ever. When he met Elvis Presley, who was 10 years old, he became interested in rock and roll. He was also influenced by his own version of punk rock, The Rolling Stones. He formed an unsuccessful Band of Mudcrutch. Yet the formation and the Heartbreakers of Tom Petty turned out to be a game-changer. Petty formed the group in the 1970s, and their second album reached the Top40. Their third album was even better, selling two million copies and singles.
Tom Petty – $95 Million
