Several weeks after the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame announced the list of artists nominated for its Class of 2022, one of this year’s nominees — Dolly Parton — released a statement requesting her name be withdrawn because she didn’t feel she’d “earned that right.”
The iconic country singer elaborated on her decision in an interview with Fox News on Thursday. “My perception and I think the perception of most of America — I just feel like that’s more for the people in rock music,” Parton said.
“I’ve been educated since then, saying that it’s more than that, but I still didn’t feel right about it. It kind of would be like putting AC/DC in the Country Music Hall of Fame. That just felt a little out of place for me.”
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation has officially acknowledged Parton’s request but, effectively, denied it. “From its inception, Rock & Roll has had deep roots in Rhythm & Blues and Country music,” said the foundation’s statement.
“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.”
In more recent years, the Foundation has made efforts to diversify its inductees to better reflect important cultural contributions by artists who were overlooked in the past. With that undertaking, the Foundation has had to explain every year that it uses “Rock & Roll” as a blanket term for musical innovation and inspiration across all genres of music.
As for Parton, her spot in rock’s pantheon is in the hands of the voters.
Read the full statement from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation:
All of us in the music community have seen Dolly Parton’s thoughtful note expressing her feeling that she has not earned the right to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. In addition to her incredible talent as an artist, her humility is another reason Dolly is a beloved icon by millions of fans around the world.
From its inception, Rock & Roll has had deep roots in Rhythm & Blues and Country music. 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 to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame followed the same process as all other artists who have been considered.
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.
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.
