Dolly Parton has revealed that she will not attend her 80th birthday celebration at the Grand Ole Opry.
The 79-year-old country music icon, who turns 80 on Jan. 19, shared the news in a video message posted to the Opry’s Instagram page on Thursday (Jan. 8). In the clip, Parton explained that she will unfortunately miss the Nashville venue’s birthday show, scheduled for Jan. 17.
“Well, hey there Grand Ole Opry family,” Parton said. “I just wanted to say how much it means to me that you’re all coming together again this year to celebrate my big ol’ birthday with some of my songs.”
She continued, “Some of my favorite memories happened right here onstage at the Grand Ole Opry, and I wish I could be there in person, but I’ll be sending you all my love for sure. So you have the best night ever.”
The Jan. 17 event, titled “Opry Goes Dolly,” will celebrate the “9 to 5” singer’s 1980s era and feature appearances by Opry members Lainey Wilson, Vince Gill, Rhonda Vincent and songwriter Trannie Anderson, with more performers to be announced.
“While Dolly is unable to attend in person, we’re looking forward to honoring her through song and fun all day long,” the Opry wrote in the comments section of the post. The venue added that the event will include birthday cupcakes, a “larger-than-life” birthday card for fans to sign, photo opportunities with a Dolly impersonator, “Dolly-themed” drinks, and other tributes.
Parton’s announcement comes several months after the “Jolene” hitmaker postponed her Las Vegas concert residency at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace due to undisclosed medical procedures. The residency, originally set to start in December, is now scheduled to begin in 2026.
The following month, she addressed her health publicly after rumors about her condition began circulating online.
“I don’t think God is through with me and I ain’t done workin’,” the Country Music Hall of Famer said in a video on Oct. 8. “I wanted you to know that I’m not dying.” She added, “There’s just a lot of rumors flyin’ around and I figured if you heard it from me, you’d know that I was OK.”
See Parton’s Opry announcement on Instagram below.
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