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Dolly Parton lookalike Andrea goes on national tour

Aug 9 2009 Sunday Sun

Andrea Pattison, 37, who has quit her job to persue a singing career as a Dolly Parton lookalike

WHEN Andrea Pattison quit her nine-to-five job to pursue a singing career she never dreamed it would bring her closer to her idol.

Yet pals were stunned how much she looked and sounded like Dolly Parton . . . and now she’s the star of a show devoted to the country and western superstar.

Twelve years after setting out on her dream, the songstress is about to don her trademark blonde wig for a national tour.

She told how fellow band member and guitarist Jim Hornsby spotted the similarities between her and Dolly last November.

And that prompted her to leave behind a string of sales jobs to concentrate on penning The Dolly Parton Story, a homage to country and western’s leading lady.

Andrea, of Newcastle, said: “While I was recording my own album with Jim’s help, he was constantly telling me how much I sounded like Dolly.

“He also commented on how similar our song writing was, and I think that’s because Dolly and I have similar backgrounds.”

The Dolly Parton Story comprises both original Dolly Parton songs and a few of Andrea’s own, giving her the chance to show off her singing talents and share her own life experiences.

She said: “Like Dolly, I also grew up in a large working class family.

“I can relate to Dolly’s life. I know there are loads of Dolly tributes out there but not one that has as good a live band.

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