Washington, Apr 30 : Country star Dolly Parton has said that her 43-year marriage to hubby Carl Dean is still alive because she ''stays gone'' for her tours.

The ''9 to 5'' hitmaker married Dean in 1966, and still giggles with excitement at the thought of jumping into his arms after weeks on the road.

However, the 63-year-old crooner has claimed that that busy schedule keeping them apart is what has made their union so strong.

She said that their long-distance love leaves them both wanting more.

Washington, Mar 28 : American country music singer Dolly Parton has revealed that she is a bundle of nerves pending the debut of her Broadway musical `9 TO 5'.

Parton, 63, who wrote the score for the production, had received rave reviews when the stage version of her hit 1980 movie 9 To 5 opened in Los Angeles last year.

But now she admits that she is a little anxious ahead of its upcoming New York run, which begins on April 7.

Melbourne, Mar 27: American country music star Dolly Parton has revealed that she is tired of repeatedly denying that she is a lesbian.

Parton, 63, also said that she is tired of having to set the record straight about her sexuality, after her friendship with her best pal Judy Ogle sparked rumours of her being gay.

“We''re absolutely totally honest, open and comfortable with each other,” the Daily Telegraph quoted her as telling AARP magazine about her relationship with her friend.

Washington, Feb 23 : Singer Dolly Parton has jumped to the defence of Jessica Simpson, who has been ridiculed by the media for her fuller figure and stage blunders. Simpson, 28, was criticised after she appeared looking curvier than her usual self, and after that for breaking down onstage while supporting Rascal Flatts in Michigan, forgetting her lyrics and eventually walking off in tears.

But Patron, who collaborated with Simpson on her country album Do You Know, is defending her fellow superstar, insisting that she has been victimised by the media.

Washington, Feb 19: Dolly Parton will not make a guest appearance in the latest `Hannah Montana' flick because studio bosses forgot to write her part in the script.

The `Coat of Many Color' hitmaker, who has appeared in many `Hannah Montana' episodes, is disappointed that she was not included in the latest Disney offering.

"I''m not in the movie. I wish I had been. I said I would love to (be in it)! I assumed that they were gonna be writing me a part," Contactmusic quoted Dolly, as saying.