The Grand Ole Opry will mark a milestone birthday this week without its most famous honoree in the room. Dolly Parton confirmed she will not attend the January 17 show planned in recognition of her 80th birthday, choosing instead to celebrate privately.
The evening will still move forward as scheduled, with a lineup of Opry members and guest performers taking the stage to honor Parton’s influence on country music. The tribute is designed to spotlight her catalog, her legacy, and her decades of connection to the Opry.
Parton addressed her absence directly, thanking fans and fellow artists for the celebration and explaining that she wanted the focus to remain on the performers and the music rather than on her attendance. She shared her appreciation for the Opry community and said she would be supporting the event from afar.
Parton has been an Opry member since 1969, and her relationship with the institution remains central to her career. The celebration will take place at the Grand Ole Opry, honoring that enduring bond.