TL;DR:

• Dolly Parton has been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
• Why she initially turned down the nomination
• Why the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation kept her on the ballot

Dolly Parton has officially been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, even though she initially said in a statement that she’d like to turn down the nomination. The Rock Hall decided, respectfully, the “Jolene” singer belonged there whether she agreed or not.

Dolly Parton is in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Parton joins the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame along with Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo, Duran Duran, Eminem, Eurythmics, Lionel Richie, and Carly Simon.

On her social accounts, the “Dumb Blonde” singer wrote that she’s honored by her induction.

“I am honored and humbled by the fact that I have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame,” she tweeted. “Of course I will accept it gracefully. Thanks to everyone that voted for me and to everyone at the @rockhall. I will continue to work hard and try to live up to the honor.”

The singer received an outpouring of support from her fans online with comments like “We are over the moon and back with elation! You’ve earned it, you’ve paid your dues, you’ve gone far above & beyond with grace, care, compassion” and “Ma’am, I know this wasn’t your wish, but you are absolutely what #rockandroll is all about. You are 100% deserving of this honor. Congratulations to you and thank you for the amazing music you’ve shared with us.”

Parton originally turned down her Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nomination

After it was announced that the “Eagle When She Flies” singer was nominated for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, she took to her social accounts to “respectfully bow out.”

“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,” she wrote.

Parton went on to say the nomination inspired her to make a rock ‘n’ roll album but, at that point, she didn’t think she had any body of work appropriate for such an honor.

“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 wrote. “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. Rock on!”

Again, fans flocked to the comments to communicate their support and compliment the singer on her humility.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s response

Three days after Parton posted her statement, the foundation responded. In their own statement, they said they’d seen Parton’s note and cited the singer’s humility as one of the many reasons she’s “a beloved icon by billions of fans around the world.”

“From its inception, Rock & Roll has had deep roots in Rhythm & Blues and Country music,” read the statement. “It is not defined by any one genre, rather a sound that moves youth culture. Dolly Parton’s music impacted a generation of young gans and influenced countless artists that followed. Her nomination to be considered for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame followed the same process as all other artists who have been considered.”

Maybe playing into the foundation’s decision to keep Parton on the list was the fact that it’d already sent out 1,200 ballots with her name on them.

“We are in awe of Dolly’s brilliant talent and pioneering spirit and are proud to have nominated her for her induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame,” the statement concluded.

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