Country star Dolly Parton says her brother and singing partner Randy Parton has died of cancer
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Country star Dolly Parton said her brother Randy Parton, who sang and played with her, as well as her Dollywood theme park has died. He was 67.
Parton, who turned 75 this week, said in a statement released Thursday that her brother died of cancer. They were among 12 children in the Parton family, who were raised in Sevierville, Tennessee.
“We are a family of faith and we believe that it is safe with God and that family members who have gone before and welcomed him with joy and open arms,” Parton said in a statement.
Randy Parton sang, played guitar and bass in his sister band, and had hosted his own show at the Tennessee theme park since opening in 1986. He also released solo music. Parton said that her duet with him on “Old Flames Can’t Hold Candle To You” “will always be a key part of my own career.”
His latest recording was a song by Dolly and his daughter Heidi called “You Are My Christmas” which was part of Parton’s latest Christmas album.
“He stretched on it just as it shines in heaven now,” Parton said.