[UPDATE]: Three days after Dolly Parton asked for her name withdrawn from consideration to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, the institution is saying too late. In a tweet posted on Thursday, the Cleveland, OH hall of fame and museum defended the nomination decision and said that ballots are already sent.
“Dolly’s nomination, along with the other 16 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 induction at our ceremony,” the Rock Hall 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.”
On Monday, the iconic country singer-songwriter issued a statement on Twitter claiming “I don’t feel that I have earned that right” and that “I must respectfully bow out.” Parton observed that she doesn’t quite fit into the rock genre, but promised a “hopefully great rock n’ roll album at some point in the future.”
The Rock Hall, in its response, addressed the concerns of Parton and many in the general public as the institution continues to nominate artists outside the rock purview.
“From its inception, Rock & Roll has had deep roots in Rhythm & Blues and Country music,” the institution wrote. “It is not defined by any one genre, rather a sound that moves youth culture. Dolly Parton’s music impacted a generation of young fans and influenced countless artists that followed. Her nomination to be considered for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame followed the same process as all other artists who have been considered.”
It’s almost a right-of-passage for musicians to turn their noses up at the Rock Hall. One of the most boisterous examples came from the Sex Pistols, who in 2006 declined to attend their inauguration, instead sending a letter calling the establishment a “piss stain” and “urine in wine.” The letter was read by Rolling Stone founder and former Rock Hall chairman Jann Wenner at the 2006 inductions and now hangs in the museum.
“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,” the Hall of Fame said in conclusion.
— Rock Hall (@rockhall) March 17, 2022
[3/14/22]: Dolly Parton has bowed out of consideration for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The legendary country singer-songwriter was up for nomination alongside Eminem, Lionel Richie, Duran Duran, and more.
In a note posted to Twitter, Parton conceded that “Even though I’m extremely flattered and grateful to be nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, I don’t feel that I have earned that right.” In her humility, she stated that “I really do not want votes split because of me, so I must respectfully bow out.”
On the plus side, the 10-time Grammy-winner promised a “hopefully great rock n’ roll album at some point in the future, which I have always wanted to do! My husband is a total rock n’ roll freak, and has always encouraged me to do one.”
“I wish all of the nominees good luck and thank you again for the compliment,” Parton wrote in closing. “Rock on!”
— Dolly Parton (@DollyParton) March 14, 2022
This isn’t the first honor that Parton has turned down, as it was revealed last year that she deferred the Presidential Medal of Freedom twice. Former President Donald Trump twice offered her the highest civilian honor during his time in office, and Parton turned him down not because of politics but once because her husband was ill and later because the 76-year-old musician was hesitant to travel during the height of COVID.
In an appearance on Today back in February 2021, Parton also noted that should President Joe Biden offer her the honor, she would once again turn it down because “Now I feel like if I take it, I’ll be doing politics, so I’m not sure.”
“But I don’t work for those awards,” Parton said. “It’d be nice but I’m not sure that I even deserve it. But it’s a nice compliment for people to think that I might deserve it.”
Last year also saw Parton respond to a fan-circulated petition lobbying for a statue of the country musician in the Tennessee State Capitol. The statue was proposed as a replacement for the bust of Ku Klux Klan founder Nathan Bedford Forrest (which now sits in the Tennessee State Museum). Members of the Tennessee state legislature even drafted a bill to erect the statue before Parton stepped in and kindly asked them not to.
“Given all that is going on in the world, I don’t think putting me on a pedestal is appropriate at this time,” she wrote in February 2021. “I hope, though, that somewhere down the road several years from now or perhaps after I’m gone if you still feel I deserve it, then I’m certain I will stand proud in our great State Capitol as a grateful Tennessean.”