Dolly Parton has withdrawn from contention for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, saying she does not feel she has earned the right to be inducted.
The country music superstar, 76, was among the potential inductees when nominations were announced last month, alongside artists such as Lionel Richie and Eminem. However, she will not be among the class of 2022 after bowing out of the running.
In a statement shared on social media, the singer and actress, who was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1999, said: “Dolly here! Even though I am 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 to be split because of me, so I must respectfully bow out.”
She said she had not ruled out joining the annals of rock and roll music in the future, but only if she released an album that makes her worthy of recognition in the genre. “I do hope that the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame will understand and be willing to consider me again — if I’m ever worthy. 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!”
Parton said that Carl Thomas Dean, her husband of more than 50 years, is a “total rock ‘n’ roll freak” and has long encouraged her to experiment with the genre. She added: “I wish all of the nominees good luck and thank you again for the compliment. Rock on!”
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Parton, a beloved figure over her decades as the queen of country music, is no stranger to declining honours.
She twice turned down the Presidential Medal of Freedom — the highest civilian honour in America — and last year said no to a planned statue of her likeness in her home state of Tennessee.
