Dolly Parton Declines 2022 Rock Hall Nomination

“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.”
Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton, March 2022 (Kevin Winter/Getty Images for ACM)

Dolly Parton has removed herself from consideration for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, which she announced in a statement on Monday (March 14). “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 wrote. This year was Parton’s first time being nominated. Read her full statement below.

This isn’t the first prize that Dolly Parton has turned down: she twice declined a Presidential Medal of Freedom from the Trump administration, and has said she’s not sure whether she would accept one from the Biden administration.

Parton has been inducted into several music-related halls of fame. In 1999, she was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Two years later, she made it into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. She also has several songs in the Grammy Hall of Fame: “Coat of Many Colors,” “I Will Always Love You,” and “Jolene.”

Eminem, Beck, A Tribe Called Quest, Carly Simon, and Duran Duran are still among those on the long list for the Rock Hall, with inductees announced in May. Fans can vote for their choice at the Rock Hall website through April 29.

Dolly Parton:

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.

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! 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. Good luck!