Earlier this year, Dolly Parton was announced as one of 17 nominees up for potential induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s class of 2022. But apparently the legendary country singer doesn’t feel deserving of the honor; on Monday, she shared a statement to social media announcing that she will respectfully withdraw from consideration.
“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,” Parton wrote. “I really do not want votes to be split because of me, so I must respectfully bow out.”
It appears that Parton’s main issue with the nomination is that she doesn’t see herself as a rock artist. “I do hope that the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame will understand and be willing to consider me again — if I’m ever worthy,” her statement reads. “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!”
Of course, Parton is entitled to withdraw from consideration for awards and honors as she sees fit — she twice turned down the Presidential Medal of Freedom from the Trump administration, for example — but it’s frustrating to see a female artist who was no doubt a lock for induction into an institution that has a long history of ignoring women bow out simply because she doesn’t feel sufficiently “rock.” The truth is, despite its name, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has always been about more than just rock. Inductees include disco legends like the Bee Gees; soul greats like Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye and Sam Cooke; hip-hop icons like the Beastie Boys; and pop sensations like Madonna. Perhaps Parton’s hesitance is just further proof that it’s time for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to finally bite the bullet and change its name to something more reflective of all the genres that fall under its banner.
Still, as much as we’d love to see Dolly Parton in the Hall of Fame, we do have to admit that it’s pretty rock-and-roll of her to say “thanks, but no thanks” to the storied institution.
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