Dolly Parton “respectfully” bows out of Hall of Fame nomination (Kevin Winter/Getty Images for ACM)
Country icon Dolly Parton has “respectfully” declined her nomination for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (RRHOF), saying she hasn’t “earned the right” and doesn’t want to split the votes.
Parton, who was nominated alongside Kate Bush, Rage Against the Machine, Carly Simon, and more, explained that while she is “flattered”, she doesn’t consider herself a “rock and roll” artist.
The RRHOF is a museum in Cleveland, Ohio, which documents the history of rock music, and honours iconic musicians from Elvis Presley to Nirvana.
Parton said in a statement: “Even though I’m extremely flattered and grateful to be nominated for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, I don’t feel that I have earned that right… I really do not want votes split because of me, so I must respectfully bow out.”
“This has, however, inspired me to put out a hopefully great rock n’ roll album at some point in the future, which I have always wanted to do!”
— Dolly Parton (@DollyParton) March 14, 2022
Dolly Parton told Billboard when she was nominated for the honour: “I was absolutely floored when I heard that.
“I’ve never thought of myself as being rock and roll in any sense of the word – but I guess they judge it on the music and the influence certain songs have had… This may have been just a God-wink for me to go ahead and do that (put out a rock album).
“It’s just nice to be nominated.”
Despite Parton’s declining of the nomination, several country artists have been inducted into the RRHOF before, including Johnny Cash, and several fans still believed that Parton deserved the nomination.
Politician Joshua Sauberman claimed: “This is the most rock ‘n’ roll thing any artist can do, which is precisely why Dolly belongs.”
This is the most Rock n’ Roll thing any artist can do, which is precisely why Dolly belongs. 🎸 #DollyParton #RockHall2022 https://t.co/V9w18gUqRg
— Joshua Sauberman • জুবর্মান • 佐伯曼 • זאוברמן • 사우버맨 (@JoshForNY) March 14, 2022
Producer Kim Sherrell remained positive about Parton’s nomination bow-out, saying: “We’re getting a whole album of Dolly rock?”
We’re getting a whole album of Dolly Rock? 🔥🤘🔥 #cantwait https://t.co/J8IfMFC3H3
— 🌻Kim (@kim) March 14, 2022
Another Twitter user said: “Dolly, if we ever have a Humanitarian Hall of Fame, or a Decent Human Being Hall of Fame, you will be my 1st nominee!”
Dolly Parton made headlines during the pandemic after donating $1 million to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, which worked with the drugmaker Moderna to develop its COVID-19 vaccine.
Speaking to Absolute Radio Country, the singer said: “When the pandemic came out, I just felt led to do something because I knew something bad was on the rise.
“So mine was a small part, of course, but I probably get a lot more credit than I deserve.”
She is also known for her Imagination Library, which posts free books to children from birth to age five, no matter their family’s income.