Things We Saw Today: Dolly Parton Continues To Show Us the Way
Dolly Parton announced this morning that she is withdrawing herself from consideration after being nominated for entry into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
In a statement posted to social media, she said that, while she was “extremely flattered and grateful,” she doesn’t feel she’s “earned that right.” Parton also said she didn’t want to be responsible for splitting any votes that could otherwise go to other artists.
There are 17 artists nominated for entry this year, and usually only five to seven are voted in—those with the highest vote total who have also received more than 50% of the total vote. This year’s nominees are an impressive bunch of musicians, including Beck, Pat Benatar, Rage Against the Machine, Eminem, A Tribe Called Quest, and Dionne Warwick. (Some of those names are bound to make some of us feel extremely old, as the RRHOF rule is that a nomination can only be secured 25 years after an artist’s first recording is released.)
It’s hard to think that anyone is more deserving of this honor than Dolly Parton, who’s been a legend in the music industry for more than five decades. Her statement indicated that she doesn’t see herself as truly eligible since her genre is country, not rock, but there have been plenty of rock-adjacent artists nominated over the years, especially those who are thought to have an influence on the rock & roll genre, which Parton has undeniably had.
But Dolly Parton has proven herself time and time again to be thoughtful, considerate, and endlessly gracious. As a gigantic bonus for all of us, she also said in her statement that this has “inspired me to put out a hopefully great rock ‘n’ roll album at some point in the future, which I have always wanted to do.”
What else did we see out there today?
- John Oliver breaks down why Ticketmaster is “one of the most hated companies on Earth.” (via The Guardian)
- Abbott Elementary has been renewed for a second season! (via Deadline)
- This looks AMAZING:
- Kieran Culkin’s Critics Choice Award acceptance speech was very on-brand for him. (A delightful mess.) (via Pajiba)
- HBO Max and Discovery Plus are now going to be one platform. (via Variety)
- Pete Davidson is going to space. (via The Verge)
- The group Gen-Z for Change issued a statement weighing in on an SNL sketch inspired by their recent participation in a White House press briefing. (They were fans!) (via Twitter)
What did you all see out there today?
(image: by John Lamparski/Getty Images)
Have a tip we should know? tips@themarysue.com
