Dolly Parton is officially an inductee of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Parton initially announced she would “respectfully bow out” of the running when her name was revealed to be on the ballot for consideration in February.
Despite Dolly’s intent to bow out, the Hall revealed her name would not be taken off the ballot as the the voting process had already been underway for quite some time.
“Dolly’s nomination, along with the other 16 artists for the class of 2022, was sent out earlier this month to our 1,200 general ballot voters, the majority of whom are artists themselves, for consideration for induction at our ceremony,” Rock & Roll Hall of Fame said in a statement.
“We are in awe of Dolly’s brilliant talent and pioneering spirit and are proud to have nominated her for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame."
After taking some time for careful consideration and educating herself on the honor, Parton decided a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction is more fitting than she thought.
During an interview with NPR’s Morning Edition, Parton was asked what she would do if she was inducted despite her objections. “Well, I’ll accept gracefully,” she said. “I would just say thanks and I’ll accept it because the fans vote.”
Parton went on to explain her initial statement. “When I said that, it was always my belief that the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame was for the people in Rock music and I have found out lately that it’s not necessarily that,” she said.
“But if they can’t go there to be recognized, where do they go? So I just felt like I would be taking away from someone that maybe deserved it, certainly more than me, ’cause I never considered myself a Rock artist. But obviously, there’s more to it than that.”
The Hall's President and CEO Greg Harris told ABC Audio, “I think early on she just wasn't aware that Jimmie Rodgers and Bill Monroe and Hank Williams and Bob Wills are in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and that we look at artists from multiple genres that have all contributed to music."
While Dolly may not have been aware, music fans definitely were as they continued to vote for Dolly Parton, ultimately making her a 2022 inductee.
Related
Dolly will be inducted alongside other standout musicians including Pat Benatar, Duran Duran, Eurythmics, Lionel Richie, Carly Simon, and rapper Eminem on November 5 at L.A.'s Microsoft Theater.
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