Dolly Parton, the legendary music icon, has captivated audiences with her performances and songs throughout her life. With a horde of fans, she has become nothing short of a legend. However, at the age of 76, Dolly has announced that she will no longer be touring. But don’t worry, she’s not done making music!
In a recent interview with Pollystar, Dolly explained her decision to step away from touring. She shared, “From time to time, I’ll still put on one-of-a-kind shows, perform at festivals, or play throughout a long weekend. But a full-fledged tour is no longer in my plans.” This allows her to dedicate more time to her beloved husband, Carl Thomas Dean.
Dolly and Carl’s love story began in 1964 when they first met in front of the Wishy Washy Laundromat in Nashville, Tennessee. Dolly was just 18 years old, while Carl was 21. From the moment Carl saw her, he knew she was special. In fact, he told her, “I’m going to marry that girl.” Dolly initially declined his invitation for a date but eventually invited him to spend time together while she was watching her nephew. And so, their love story began, a tale that has lasted a lifetime.
The couple got married in a private ceremony in Ringgold, Georgia, in May 1966. They didn’t want to wait to tie the knot, so they decided to have a small wedding away from the spotlight. Only Dolly, Carl, and her mother were present on their special day.
Since then, Dolly and Carl have remained deeply in love. In 2016, they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary and decided to renew their vows to commemorate the occasion. Now, with Dolly no longer touring, they will have even more time to spend together.
In her interview with Pollstar, Dolly shared her perspective on touring, saying, “I’ve done that my entire life; it takes a lot of time and work.” With age, she prefers to stay closer to home, especially for the sake of her husband. She doesn’t want to be away for long periods and potentially miss important moments or not be there for someone who needs her support. She cherishes her fans but also wants to prioritize her personal life.
Dolly’s husband, Carl, is an avid hard rock ‘n’ roll fan, and she has a sweet surprise for him. While working on her new album, she plans to dedicate a song to him. She explained, “‘Well, there’s no better time than now,’ I reasoned after learning that I’d been nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I’ve always wanted to do it. Since my husband is a tremendous hard rock ‘n’ roll fan, I’ve been thinking for years, ‘One of these days, I’d like to do an album basically just for him.’”
Aside from her album, Dolly is also reportedly working on a Christmas special for NBC this year. So, even though she won’t be touring, we can still look forward to enjoying her music and performances through other avenues.
Dolly Parton, thank you for being incredibly kind to us all these years. Take this time to relax and enjoy the love and happiness that surrounds you. We will remember you forever as a true legend.
