Parton changes her mind, says she’ll accept rock honour

About six weeks after Dolly Parton announced on Instagram that she’d declined her nomination for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, the country music superstar began singing a different tune.

“I’ll accept gracefully,” the 76-year-old chart-topper said in a new interview on NPR’s Morning Edition.

“I’ll say ‘thanks’ and accept that,” she added.

On Feb. 2, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame announced that the Jolene singer had been nominated as a finalist for its 2022 class — alongside an impressive list of headliners, including Pat Benatar, Lionel Richie and Carly Simon.

However, to the disappointment of her legions of fans, last month Parton said that she was declining the honour because she felt that she hadn’t “earned that right.”

“I really do not want votes to be split because of me,” she said in a statement shared on social media. “I do hope that the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame will understand and be willing to consider me again — if I’m ever worthy,” she added.

Her wish wasn’t granted by the Cleveland-based institution, which declined to withdraw her name from induction consideration, adding that “in addition to her incredible talent as an artist, her humility is another reason Dolly is a beloved icon by millions of fans around the world.”

During the NPR interview that aired Friday, Parton was asked what she planned to do, if she was still inducted despite her objections.

The always-graceful queen of country said that she will, in fact, accept the honour.

The 9 to 5 star is among 17 candidates being considered by the organization’s 1,200 voters.