Dolly Parton

Recusing herself from this year's nominations, the superstar reminds the music industry that only she gets to decide who she is.

(Though I’d argue a song like “ Baby I’m Burnin’” captures the spirit of rock music, even if she hasn’t put out an AC/DC-style scorcher.) Her assertion doesn’t seem like a case of imposter syndrome—it’s Dolly Parton—but rather a rejection of an outside label that Parton feels doesn’t fit quite right. On Monday, Dolly Parton announced that she was taking herself out of the running for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Rather than participate in the annual hero-worship rigamarole, Parton RSVPed with a firm no thanks. Her self-recusal from Rock Hall consideration may hint at parallel concerns about choosing sides, and raises questions about her own enduring relevance versus that of the institution.

Dolly Parton turned down the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame on Twitter. But while her tweet sparked a fan firestorm, her musical standards are unparalleled.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame isn’t the first major institution Parton has graciously sidestepped. One of the first to play what he called rock ’n’ roll was 1950s Cleveland DJ Alan Freed, who said: “Rock ’n’ roll is really swing with a modern name. Her official statement said: "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!" But Parton, who was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1999, seems to feel differently about the criteria. That is rock ’n’ roll and that is us. Country music played a role in that evolution, of course, and Parton’s songs have influenced countless pop stars, including Miley Cyrus (Dolly’s goddaughter), Taylor Swift, Whitney Houston and Beyoncé, the latter two of whom covered “I Will Always Love You.” But when country music doesn’t also feature elements of R&B and guitars rooted in the blues, defining it as rock can feel like a musicological stretch. The decision to withdraw her nomination was widely supported by fans, admirers and members of the rock community, who praised Parton’s integrity. It’s the rhythm that gets to the kids — they’re starved of music they can dance to, after all those years of crooners.” ... Rock ’n’ roll is N.W.A,” he said in the group’s acceptance speech. I really do not want votes to be split because of me, so I must respectfully bow out,” she tweeted Monday morning, sending the Twitterverse into rapid response mode. She’s a country music legend, a prolific songwriter, a clever entrepreneur, a generous philanthropist, a sensitive humanitarian, a subtle feminist, a devout Christian and, in her own way, a rebel.

After withdrawing from contention for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, country queen Dolly Parton has her sights on making an album that rockers such as Todd ...

“Because whatever their original mandate was … I knew at the time that they were gonna run out of legitimate [rock] nominees eventually.” And Rundgren knows exactly the kind of record he would want to make with Parton: “The point is, first of all, do a real rock album,” he said. “It never felt right to me either,” he said. “If you’re gonna do a rock album, do a rock album. “She’s made so many records, has so much experience, you know there’s not going to be any sort of funny business about doing it. “Who wouldn’t?” Rundgren, 73, said.

Judas Priest's Richie Faulkner commended a competitor for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Dolly Parton, for trying to get off the ballot.

Despite Parton publicly asking to be removed from contention, with voting already underway, so far the Hall hasn’t made any public move to disqualify her, and her disinclination to receive the award doesn’t automatically take her out of the running. (See Variety‘s story: “The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s Dolly Parton Pickle: Should She Be Inducted Anyway, Even If She Doesn’t Want It?”) “I think she recognizes her brand, and it didn’t necessarily fit into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. And I think it raises questions to what the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s brand is, as well,” said Faulkner on the podcast “Rock of Nations With Dave Kinchen,” as reported by Consequence Heavy.

Dolly Parton performs at The Newport Folk Festival in Rhode Island, July 27, 2019. Photo by Shutterstock. Dolly Parton was one of 17 musicians nominated last ...

The country music superstar has just turned down a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nomination. Leonie Cooper asks if there's more to it than just genres.

Evidently keen to add Dolly to PJ Harvey and Iggy Pop in his little black book, legendary punk engineer Steve Albini asked over Twitter: “Dolly Parton do you like analog recording”? Will the next Dolly Parton album see her embracing her inner grunge icon and a bare-bones production technique? “Even though I am extremely flattered to be nominated for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, I don’t feel that I have earned that right,” she wrote in a friendly statement. I do hope that the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame will understand and be willing to consider me again – if I’m ever worthy.” A “no worries if not!” missive of the highest degree, we can think of one good reason why Dolly could – and possibly should – have accepted the nomination. Though the Hall of Fame started inducting influential artists in 1986 – kicking off with Chuck Berry, Sam Cooke and Elvis Presley – it wasn’t until the following year that the first woman was nominated, with Aretha Franklin smuggled in on a list bulging with 14 men. After making her point, she noted that the nomination had “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!” Already a master of multiple genres, from bluegrass to disco, Dolly has in fact previously covered one of rock’s biggest anthems – her 2002 version of Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven” flutters with greatness – but now she might finally write her own. A millionaire she might be, but she uses a fair whack of her staggering wealth to help rather than harm.