Biography
Best known as the younger sister of country superstar Dolly Parton (by 11 years), Freida Parton was determined to make a name for herself on her own terms by releasing the hard rock album "Two Faced" in 1984. Born on June 1st in 1957, she grew up with 10 siblings in relative poverty in the hills of East Tennessee. At the age of 13, she moved to Nashville and lived with her sister Dolly who was then trying, with limited success, to make a name for herself in the music industry. While still a teenager, she married Mark Andersen, later a member of Dolly's backing band. After collaborating with her husband on writing "Sing for the Common Man" on Dolly's "9 to 5 and Odd Jobs" album in 1980, Freida signed with Bearsville Records and began work on an album. A fall in 1981 kept her sidelined and frustrated. During her recovery, she worked on songs that were to become part of the "Two Faced" album. Her sharp, often screaming vocals and passionate delivery were noted at the time, but both the album and single "Oriental Dolls" (with a video on MTV featuring her 5 year old daughter Jada Star) flopped on the charts. Later, in 1986, Freida filed for bankruptcy. Her financial situation was improved by returns from her work in a stage show with sister Stella showcased at Dolly's Dollywood Theme Park.
In addition to musical exploits Freida posed for Playboy magazine (clothed but provocatively posed) around the time of the release of her album, and has been married and divorced three times. Drug addictions and a chronic back injury from her fall in 1981 have plagued her attempts at returning to recording. Little is known about her life since the 80s.
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