In a surprising turn of events, Dolly Parton, the 77-year-old iconic figure in the realms of both celebrities and country music, has declared her retirement from touring. While she continues to grace the world with her musical talents through new recordings, the decision to step away from the tour circuit marks a significant chapter in her illustrious career. Despite a life spent in the limelight, Parton’s choice reflects a shift toward a more domestic and family-oriented focus.
Recently, Dolly Parton revealed in an interview with Pollystar that she is stepping back from touring. She elaborated on her decision, stating:
“I’ll occasionally put on a few exceptional performances. Maybe a couple of shows at a festival, or a whole weekend of performances. However, I don’t intend to go on a full-fledged tour.”
The announcement has left no doubt that Dolly Parton, whose journey from an Appalachian Mountain upbringing to global entertainment icon, will be missed during live performances.
The 77-year-old country music icon will continue to write music. Instead of going on tour, she plans to spend more time with her cherished husband, Carl Thomas Dean.
Dolly and Carl Dean first met in 1964 in front of the Wishy Washy Laundromat in Nashville, Tennessee. At that time, Carl was twenty-one, and Dolly was eighteen. Carl was immediately captivated by the unique qualities he saw in Dolly.
“As soon as I saw her, I knew I had to marry her,” Dean recalled, as reported by Entertainment Tonight. “My second thought was, ‘Lord, she looks nice.’ That was how my life began. There is nothing I would trade the past 50 years for.”
In a 1976 interview with the New York Times, Dolly mentioned that Dean “hollered” at her from his pickup truck when he noticed her. Despite initially turning down a date, she later invited him over the next time she was watching her nephew. This marked the beginning of their enduring love story.
In May 1966, Dolly and Carl tied the knot in a private ceremony in Ringgold, Georgia. Despite suggestions from her record label to delay the marriage for the sake of her career, the couple opted for a low-key ceremony in Georgia to avoid media coverage. Only Dolly, Carl, and her mother were present.
Since then, Dolly and Carl have shared a profound love. In 2016, the couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary and chose to reaffirm their vows to mark the milestone.
This decision means that Dolly and her husband, Carl Thomas Dean, will get to spend even more time together.
Detailing her travel adventures, Dolly shared in an interview with Pollstar: “It takes a lot of time and effort; I’ve done that my entire life. I would rather spend more time with my husband at home. I don’t want to stay away for four or five weeks at a stretch, as we’re both getting older.”
She expressed concern about potential emergencies or situations where her presence might be required: “Something could occur. I would feel bad if I were gone and someone else needed me. Or I would be devastated if I had to call it quits on a tour because a fan needed me and I had to leave them behind because someone was sick at home.”
In addition to focusing on spending time with her husband, Dolly mentioned that she is currently writing rock ‘n’ roll music for him. Earlier in the year, Parton received a nomination for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and she expressed her desire to record an album primarily for her spouse, who loves heavy rock ‘n’ roll.
Dolly Parton has been busy with her new NBC special, “Dolly Parton’s Mountain Magic Christmas,” which premiered on Thursday, December 1, along with her upcoming album.
Describing the special as a “show within a show,” Dolly focuses on the theatrical side, portraying various scenarios that arise during performances, including disagreements with producers, problems with actors, incidents like scenery collapsing, and backstage mishaps. Dolly emphasized that she is not acting but being herself.
In addition to her special, Dolly is collaborating with actor-turned-producer Reese Witherspoon on the upcoming movie “Run, Rose, Run.” The film is based on a book of the same name created by Witherspoon and James Patterson.
Dolly Parton’s health has always been a symbol of courage and determination for many people. However, her decision not to embark on a large-scale music tour is rooted in her past experiences and health challenges.
In the 1980s, Dolly Parton faced significant health problems but chose to ignore warning signals to focus on her career. At the age of 35, she collapsed on stage during a performance in Indianapolis. This health scare led to the diagnosis of endometriosis, a condition she battled at the peak of her career.
Dolly Parton experienced common symptoms of endometriosis, including fatigue, pain, and heavy menstruation. This condition involves the proliferation of the uterine lining on other organs, causing discomfort and health issues.
However, Dolly initially dismissed her discomfort as a “female problem.” In 1982, her physician recommended rest before a performance in Indianapolis, but she chose to continue with the show. This led to her collapsing on stage, prompting emergency care in New York. Due to health issues, she had to postpone the last thirty dates of her 35-city tour in the United States and Canada.
Following this incident, Dolly underwent a partial hysterectomy, a procedure to remove part of the uterus. Reflecting on that period, she acknowledged neglecting her well-being, both physically and emotionally, emphasizing the importance of self-care.
Enjoy your “retirement,” Dolly! You’ve helped us so much! Right now, unwind and relish your life! We will always treasure you.
