Photo Credit: Curtis Hilbun / CC by 3.0
Dolly Parton has announced a change of heart on being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame if her fans were to vote her in.
The country music star had previously stated that she had not yet “earned the right” to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, but in her recent interview with NPR’s Morning Edition about her new book, “Run, Rose, Run,” she shared that she had changed her mind.
“When I said that, it was always my belief that the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame was for the people in rock music. And I have found out lately that it’s not necessarily that. But if they can’t go there to be recognized, where do they go?” Parton said to host Rachel Martin on Friday.
“So I just felt like that I would be taking away from someone that maybe deserved it–certainly more than me, because I never considered myself a rock artist. But obviously, there’s more to it than that.”
In March, she had asked the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame to withdraw her name from the 2022 nominee ballot. At the time, Parton stated she felt she had not yet earned the right.
“I do hope that the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame will understand and be willing to consider me again–if I’m ever worthy,” she said in her statement on Instagram. “This has, however, inspired me to put out a hopefully great rock ‘n’ roll record at some point in the future, which I have always wanted to do.”
Just days after her request, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame released a response that she would remain on the ballot, partly because voting had already begun.
“We are in awe of Dolly’s brilliant talent and pioneering spirit and are proud to have nominated her for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame,” the Foundation told NPR.
Dolly Parton placed fifth on the official Rock & Roll Hall of Fame “Fan Vote” leaderboard behind Duran Duran, Eminem, Pat Benatar, and The Eurythmics. The top five artists selected will count alongside official ballots to choose 2022’s inductees. Rock & Roll Hall of Fame will announce its class of 2022 inductees in May.