The Boot Staff

On Dec. 19, 1980, Parton made her big-screen debut, appearing in the movie '9 to 5'.

Happy (Opry) anniversary to her!

On Dec. 15, 2003, Urban earned platinum status for his self-titled debut album.

On June 8, 1974, Parton's "I Will Always Love You," from her 'Jolene' album, soared to the top of the charts.

A country music icon was almost on the plane with him ...

On Dec. 17, 1994, Diffie received an early Christmas present.

Jackson and his wife Denise have come a long way from their high school courtship in Newnan, Ga.

Do y'all agree?

The connection between a country music legend and the football icon is a surprising one.

Parton had already been a country star for a number of years by the time she released her 16th studio album, but the crossover success of the album launched the second phase of her career, in pop music, and earned the superstar her first gold album.