Dolly Parton, the legendary country music icon, has captured the hearts of millions through her incredible performances and captivating songs. After decades of touring and entertaining fans, the 76-year-old music legend has recently announced that she will no longer be hitting the road. In a heartfelt interview with Pollystar, Dolly revealed her reasons for this decision.
“I still enjoy performing and occasionally put on special shows here and there, like at festivals or during a long weekend,” Dolly explained. “But I no longer have the ambition to embark on a full-fledged tour.”
Instead, Dolly plans to focus on writing songs and spending quality time with her devoted husband, Carl Thomas Dean. The couple’s love story began back in 1964 when they first met in front of the Wishy Washy Laundromat in Nashville, Tennessee. Dolly was just 18 years old, and Carl was 21. It was love at first sight for Carl, who famously said, “I’m going to marry that girl” upon meeting her.
In a 1976 interview with the New York Times, Dolly recounted how Carl first caught her attention by “hollying” at her from his pickup truck. Although she initially declined his invitation for a date, she soon invited him over to her place while she was looking after her nephew. From that moment on, their love story began to unfold.
Dolly and Carl exchanged vows in a private ceremony in Ringgold, Georgia in May 1966. Despite being advised to delay their wedding by her record label, the couple couldn’t wait to start their life together. They chose to get married in Georgia instead of Tennessee to keep their union a secret. Only three people were present—Dolly, Carl, and her mother.
Since then, their love has only grown stronger. In 2016, they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary by renewing their vows. Now, with Dolly’s decision to step back from touring, they will have even more time to cherish each other’s company.
Dolly expressed her desire to stay close to home in an interview with Pollstar, saying, “While I’ve enjoyed traveling throughout my life, I want to spend more time with my husband as we grow older. I don’t want to be away for more than four or five weeks at a time. Anything could happen, and I wouldn’t want to be away if someone needed me. If I had to end a tour early because of a personal need, I would feel awful abandoning my fans.”
Dolly Parton has left an indelible mark on the world of music and entertainment. Her performances will forever be cherished by her fans, who will continue to hold a special place in their hearts for this beloved legend.
Thank you, Dolly, for sharing your incredible talent and kindness with us throughout the years. Now, it’s time for you to relax and enjoy the love and appreciation of your devoted fans. We will always love you.
