Dolly Parton, at 77 years old, is a superstar in both country music and the world of fame. This incredible singer from Tennessee has truly become a legend.
For nearly her entire life, Dolly has been on stage, bringing joy and entertainment to her fans. However, she recently made a big announcement: she will stop touring, although she plans to keep creating new music.
In an interview with Pollstar, Dolly explained her decision, saying:
“I’ll do special shows here and there. Maybe a weekend of performances or a few at festivals, but I don’t plan on doing full tours anymore.”
Dolly, who grew up in poverty in the Appalachian Mountains and worked her way up to international stardom, will surely be missed by fans on the road. Even though she won’t be touring, she is excited to focus more on spending quality time with her husband, Carl Thomas Dean.
Dolly and Carl’s love story began back in 1964. Dolly was just 18 and Carl was 21 when they met outside a laundromat in Nashville. From the moment he saw her, Carl felt a spark. He later shared with Entertainment Tonight,
“My first thought was, ‘I’m gonna marry that girl.’ My second thought was, ‘She’s beautiful.’ That’s when my life really began. I wouldn’t trade the last 50 years for anything.”
Carl spotted Dolly while sitting in his pickup truck and called out to her. In a 1976 interview with the New York Times, she recalled how she initially turned down his offer for a date but invited him over when she was babysitting her nephew a few days later. That was the start of their beautiful romance.
In May 1966, Dolly and Carl tied the knot in a private ceremony in Georgia. Dolly’s record label suggested she wait to marry so she could focus on her career, but the couple didn’t want to wait any longer. They decided to have a secret wedding to avoid media attention in Tennessee. Only Dolly, Carl, and her mother attended their special day.
Since then, the couple has shared a deep and loving bond. They celebrated their 50th anniversary in 2016 by renewing their vows, and now they will have even more time to enjoy each other’s company.
During her interview with Pollstar, Dolly opened up about why she’s stepping back from touring:
“I’ve been doing this my whole life, and it takes a lot of time and energy. I’d rather stay closer to home with my husband. We’re both getting older, and I don’t want to be away for four or five weeks at a time. Something might happen, and I wouldn’t feel right if I wasn’t around. I’d feel bad if I had to leave a tour because someone at home needed me.”
While she won’t be on tour, Dolly is excited to explore a new musical direction. She plans to create a rock n’ roll album as a tribute to Carl. After receiving a nomination for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in May, Dolly was inspired to take this leap into rock music. She said,
“When I got the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nomination, I thought it was the perfect time. I’d always wanted to do it. My husband is a huge rock fan, and I’ve thought for years about making an album just for him.”
In addition to her album, Dolly has been busy working on her NBC special, Dolly Parton’s Mountain Magic Christmas, which aired on December 1. She described the special by saying,
“It’s a show within a show. It focuses on all the behind-the-scenes drama. There are arguments with producers, problems with the artists, sets falling apart, and last-minute cancellations. I wouldn’t call it acting. I’m just being myself, just Dolly, not playing a role.”
On top of all this, Dolly is teaming up with Reese Witherspoon to produce a film called Run, Rose, Run, based on the novel she co-wrote with James Patterson.
Dolly Parton has always been a symbol of strength and resilience. Her decision to stop large-scale touring makes sense considering everything she has faced. In the 1980s, she often ignored serious health issues while focusing on her career. At just 35 years old, she collapsed on stage during a performance in Indianapolis.
Later, she learned that she had endometriosis, a condition that causes pain, heavy periods, and fatigue. Back then, she dismissed her symptoms as just “female problems.” Before her Indianapolis show in 1982, her doctor advised her to take a break, but Dolly didn’t listen and decided to perform anyway.
Tragically, she collapsed on stage and had to be flown to New York for medical care. This incident forced her to cancel the remaining 30 dates of her 35-stop U.S. and Canada tour. Shortly after, she underwent surgery for a partial hysterectomy.
Reflecting on that challenging time, she admitted, “I was pushing myself too hard. I wasn’t watching what I ate or paying attention to nutrition. I was working non-stop while dealing with personal and emotional issues.”
Now, as she embraces this new chapter in her life, Dolly is choosing to prioritize her health and family over the demands of touring. Although she may not be on stage as often, her fans can still look forward to new music and exciting projects while she enjoys more quality time with her beloved husband, Carl.
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