On January 4, 1969, Dolly Parton was fresh off the release of her first solo album released on RCA Records Nashville, the now-seminal Just Because I’m A Woman, and on that date the singer-songwriter received the biggest accomplishment of her then-young career: being inducted as a Grand Ole Opry member. Fifty years later, Parton has achieved nearly every honor and accolade an entertainer can receive, and she is cemented as the female Country artist with the most Billboard Top 20 hits according to Guinness World Records.
In conjunction with the release of her new album Dumplin’ Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (Dolly Records/RCA Nashville), Parton is set to return to the hallowed stage that was such an important part of her early days in Nashville: the Grand Ole Opry. The global superstar will be celebrate the 50th anniversary of her Opry membership, performing on Saturday, October 12, 2019, and capping a week-long celebration of Parton’s impact on music and the Opry, dubbed Dolly Week 2019.
“It was always my dream to be on the Opry,” recalls Parton. “I actually got to sing on the Grand Ole Opry when I was about 10 years old. I officially became a member back in 1969 and I cannot believe next year I will celebrate 50 proud years of being a member of the Grand Ole Opry! They call it the ‘Mother Church’ because the old Ryman was a church, but it’s sacred to me, wherever it goes – the church of my heart. For me, the Opry is like the song ‘New York, New York’ – if you can make it there, you can make it anywhere. I am excited to be coming back home to celebrate 50 years of membership!”
And Parton has made it everywhere. As a worldwide icon, she is arguably country music’s greatest global ambassador – and she has taken the Opry and the memories from those early days in her career with her wherever she goes. Because of her impact across all forms of music, it is only fitting that the Grand Ole Opry create programming for Dolly Week 2019 that acknowledges her broad influence.
- THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2019: Opry Country Classics featuring performances of #1 Dolly hits -> CLICK HERE for Tickets
- FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2019: Friday Night Opry: Dolly’s Mountain Soul: Bluegrass, Americana & Roots Music honor Dolly -> CLICK HERE for Tickets
- THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2019: Dolly Parton’s 50th Grand Ole Opry Anniversary Celebration featuring Dolly Parton and many more -> CLICK HERE for 7pm Tickets and CLICK HERE for 9:30pm Tickets
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