Dolly Parton celebrates 50 years as a member of the Grand Ole Opry
Written by News on 14/10/2019
Dolly Parton is still working “9 to 5” after celebrating her 50th anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole Opry.
The country music legend played the long-standing radio show in Nashville, Tennessee, in front of a sold-out crowd on Saturday.
The 73-year-old singer-songwriter and actress first played the Opry when she was just 13 years old.
Regular performers can be inducted into the Opry as a member, with the honour remaining one of country music’s crowning achievements.
Parton was 22 years old when she was made a member on 4 January 1969.
Country music acts Hank Williams Jr, Toby Keith and Lady Antebellum performed in Parton’s honour at the anniversary event on Saturday night.
The show capped-off a week of Dolly-themed performances and events at the concert hall.
Parton joked to reporters before her performance that when the Opry approached her about the anniversary, she told them: “I don’t want people to think I’m 50 years old.”
The singer also said the anniversary reminded her of the first time she ever performed at the Opry.
She continued: “Well a lot of people think this is my 50th year at the Grand Ole Opry.
“It’s actually been 60 because the first time I got to sing on the Opry when I was 13 years old.
“And actually Johnny Cash introduced me, I believe. And Jimmy C. Newman had given me his spot.”
Parton said she was grateful to still be chasing her dreams and said she’s got more film, TV and music projects on the way.
She said: “I’m just very honoured that I’m still around… that I can actually perform and get out there and still do what I love to do.
“And maybe I’ll be around another 50 years, who knows. If I’m lucky.”
The Opry performances will be aired on an NBC special on 26 November and Netflix will air an anthology series based on her songs in 2019.
Parton told Sky News there was still “a long way go” for women in the workplace as she spoke about gender equality in February.
The country music star was talking after the launch of 9 to 5 The Musical.
(c) Sky News 2019: Dolly Parton celebrates 50 years as a member of the Grand Ole Opry
