— Dolly Parton (@DollyParton) March 14, 2022
She's not saying that out of nowhere. They actually put her as a nominee on the ballot this year. For so many reasons, she was wise to withdraw the way she did. To lose the vote isn't good, and to win would draw intense criticism. I'm sure there was criticism just for the nomination. It's better to take that criticism and make it her own. It's not criticism at all anymore, but a recognition that country music is not rock music.
And this way, she really could put out an album designated rock and get lots of new attention for that.
The Hall is voracious. It needs new inductees every year, and sometimes it looks rather desperate. By reaching into other music categories — designated the "roots" of rock — it can get some giant icons. It's nice to see a firm rejection of that grasping.
ADDED: She specified album. But as Andrew noted in the comments, there's this:
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81 comments:
What’s next? The Beatles nominated to the Country Music HOF?
If Dolly goes I’m going with her…
I remember Miles Davis got nominated one year (not sure if he won) and I was similarly thrown off. But I suppose some of his music was at least influenced by rock.
I bet she has trouble signing her tax return…
Dolly never fails to amaze me. So much class. She's like Betty White (and I hope she lives as long) - a rare celebrity that almost everyone seems to love, across all of the divides.
While I agree she doesn't really fit a nomination for the rock and roll hall of fame, which is a designation as useless as a people's choice award, she has made her mark on one great rock song. Indeed, she transformed it into something new:
https://youtu.be/fw_Codf29Pw
Most of the top country music of the last decade is closer to rock than country. It was really bad there for a while but the formula has trended back towards country. I’m nor sure I’d pick Dolly though. Maybe rock fans wouldn’t recognize anyone else?
…and the Hall’s problem isn’t as bad as the sports team retiring numbers problem. When they run out of single and double digits what to they do? Negative integers?
The R&R Hall of Fame is just a business, and one with an odd reputation for being unwelcoming to inductees. Being admitted is not "official" recognition or proof of anything -- it's a room full of people patting each other on the back (for profit), and entry perhaps has the value of winning a Grammy Award.
If one is from the Nashville culture (Parton) and friends with an entirely different group of people, what's the value in recognition?
I think the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has lost a lot of credibility over the past couple of decades by inducting Rap / Hip Hop performers, who ARE NOT ROCK AND ROLL ARTISTS, when there are a number of deserving artists who are continually snubbed. I give Dolly a lot if credit for this request of hers to be pulled from the ballot as it shows her integrity and humility about the topic. I have seen some criticism of the Hall for inducting some Country and Western artists such as Johnny Cash but C & W music from the 1950’s are one of the roots of Rock - hence the term Rockabilly from early in Rock history. Heck, the Beatles, particularly Ringo Starr, were heavily influenced by C & W in their teens and it shows in the songs early in their career, both in their recordings and their live pre-1964 sets.
Dolly has always been a class act. Anyone remember Grand Funk Railroad? They ruled the airways for years. Sold out Shea Stadium faster than the Beatles did in their Beatlemania prime. Thirteen gold and ten platinum albums. Hall of Fame? Nah!
Dolly is surely a national treasure and has more class than any celebrity I can think of. When Obama was awarded and accepted the Nobel peace prize, her letter, with only very minor modifications, is exactly what he should have written. I would have admired him if he had done so.
I don’t recall Andrew Hickey having mentioned her in any episodes......
It Just Makes You (ME!) Love Her, EVEN MORE
The White Stripes did a great rock and roll rendition of Jolene.
I’m glad Dolly turned them down. Letting her in would have undermined the rock and roll bona fides of two of the greatest inductees ever: Neil Diamond and Madonna.
I live in east TN, somewhat in the vicinity of Dolly's home stomping grounds, so her good deeds for the area are part of our local news. She's quite exceptional in that she usually steps up early with a generous contribution if there's been a tragedy and tries to encourage others to open their hearts as well as checkbooks. And, even though Dollywood is the butt of jokes, it's always adding new features which results in more jobs.
On a Serious Note.. If your Hall of Fame already has Wanda Jackson.. Who else do you need?
There is only one Dolly.
She’s sweeter than any country colloquialism even she could come up w/.
Her Netflix series of little movies = heartwarming episodes of grace. Every one.
She’s a National treasure and the country should listen to the wisdom of women who have the presence of mind to understand and live humility. That is why she gracefully w/drew her name from the list of nominees…
Dolly in a nutshell.
Who's responsible for the sometimes arbitrary decisions as to who's in and who's out? Until now I thought it was still Jan Wenner, but I guess he's been out since 2019.
Rock 'n roll, at one time, pulled together different kinds of roots music--bluegrass and R & B or soul. Who gets credit for the new original thing? Louis Jordan? Little Richard? Hank Williams ("Honky Tonkin," "Move It On Over," "Ramblin' Man")? He learned from a black guy named Rufus Payne, and there is even a Cajun flavor in "Jumbalaya." I agree with Scotty that hip hop seems a whole different thing.
The RROF is desperate for younger viewers, and thus, they keep trying to shoe-horn in anyone who’ll draw an audience.
What’s next? The Beatles nominated to the Country Music HOF?
Rocky Racoon is straight out country.
She's indeed classy, but the rock fans of an earlier era would have ridiculed her inclusion. She's not roots country, and she didn't influence rock music. This is what Daltrey meant by "Hope I die before I get old."
What Enigma and Scotty said. The R&RHoF has a long reputation of narrow-casting its inductions and being basically a list of Jann Wenner's favorite bands. Two giants of arena style 1980s rock, REO Speedwagon and Styx, have never even been nominated as the HoF has reached out to rappers and other genres.
While I think her decision was a correct one, her qualifications for the Hall exceed those of many of its members. I guess if I were in Parton's shoes, I wouldn't want to join a club that would have me as a member.
Dolly must listen to that 500 song history of rock ‘n roll. The most interesting part of the very early episodes was his discussion of music genre naming history in the US.
Pat Benatar is a nominee this year and clearly should be inducted. Should have been a long time ago in my opinion. Dolly graciously pulled out so as not to screw up Pat's chances.
Very classy, and in her own sweet-and-subtle way, she is pointing out to the the Hall that they are supposedly, allegedly, the rock-and-roll hall-of-fame.
They probably heard of "rocky top" and thought it had something to do with them. Honest mistake, if you have a room temp IQ.
"When they run out of single and double digits what to they do? Negative integers?"
The continuum of numbers is uncountably infinite.
All the Halls have this problem--there aren't enough worthy candidates in any field to induct new people every year. If they simply didn't induct anyone some years, it would do wonders for their prestige. But they want the money now, so they induct some unworthy people. Ultimately, they tarnish their brand, but by the time it becomes a real problem, somebody else will be in charge and get the blame. Probably.
REO Speedwagon and Styx
well, if you've already got Cheap Trick, how many other Illinois bands do you need? :)
"When Obama was awarded and accepted the Nobel peace prize, her letter, with only very minor modifications, is exactly what he should have written. I would have admired him if he had done so."
That's a really good point. I wish he had. It would have been been good politics. If he had not been such a narcissist, he should have taken that opportunity to turn it down with humility and grace. It would have increased my respect for him (low bar, though), and might have reassured people that he didn't really think he was the Messiah. But no, he deigned to receive an award that wasn't close to acknowledging his world-changing genius.
Back to Dolly: The Ken Burns documentary series on country music was surprisingly good, in my opinion. There was a section on Dolly that was wonderful. I had no idea how poor she was at the beginning of her life. For someone to become as successful and wealthy as her, but maintain her decency and simplicity, and demonstrate continuous concern for other people, speaks volumes.
Why is Hip-Hop in the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame? $$$
Why is the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame in Cin city? $$$
What DOESN'T Dolly Parton Need? $$$
Rock-n-Roll HOF de-legitimized itself early on. Too bad, it was a great concept. Especially considering Rock is now but a memory.
Is Snoop Dog in yet?
Everybody loves Dolly. Heck, I don't even like her music or movies, but am happy knowing someone like her exists in this cold hard world. She's so superficially fake yet so genuine inside you're not distracted by the artificiality of her appearance.
Dolly Parton will always be known for boobs. A boobs hall of fame.
The Office (youtube offering clips) had a nice episode, trying to guess the server password after the IT guy was long gone, looking around the office and suggesting "Try big boobs." Nope. "Spell it with a z." "We're in." Nice quietly-distressed shot of the woman in question.
I was happy to see Kraftwerk's nomination this year. Not sure if they're actually a Rock band, but whatever.
A boobs hall of fame sounds like a wonderful idea. The induction ceremonies would garner ample ratings.
Cleveland DJ Alan Freed coined the phrase "Rock b Roll". Is why the Hall is in Cleveland. However She Knows Music... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3uaxZBThj8 Got the tower got the power Rosalie. Broadcast to TN.
There is a circle jerk of awards here in Madison, WI. The same progressives going through the same charade year after year.
Kudos to anyone who turns down one of these bullshit nods; hasn't happened yet.
I see a problem of qualification for the BHOF (boobs hall of fame). Do you allow enhanced, or only natural? If the second option, who gets to check?
"While I think her decision was a correct one, her qualifications for the Hall exceed those of many of its members."
It seems they've inducted 338 acts/performers. That's quite a lot for a genre that's 75 years old.
I don't think Dolly would suffer by being either inducted or not. I think she has it right that the only complaint would be splitting the vote while not being inducted.
One thing is certain: Dolly Parton will be putting out a rock 'n roll within a year or so. It will be very competently done, and will make a pile of money.
And, even though Dollywood is the butt of jokes, it's always adding new features which results in more jobs.
In Year 1 of COVID, we met friends in Tennessee for a lovely week on a lake. We spent one day at Dollywood. I expected it to be a day of chortling under our breath to one another at all the silly stuff... but instead, it was - charming. Beautifully landscaped. Full of friendly employees. There were artisans in permanent little shops - not popups - making baskets, blowing glass, I think one place was a luthier's where the guy was making a dulcimer. There were displays about mountain life at the time of Dolly's childhood that were very interesting, and a mockup of her childhood home that was almost shocking in its small size and humbleness ("humility" doesn't seem the right word).
We had a great day, and I felt ashamed of myself for thinking of mocking the place.
I'm amazed no one has mentioned her incredibly prolific songwriting yet.
Yeah, once they admitted rap/hip-hop it lost cred for being a "rock and roll" thing. It should be called the Popular Music HoF or something.
Likewise, Robert Plant has dabbled in the country sound himself with Alison Krauss.
TheOne Who Is Not Obeyed said...
Do you allow enhanced, or only natural? If the second option, who gets to check?
Well different divisions, of course. As for checking it's a dirty nasty job; but so am i!
The Sex Pistols were chosen but rejected the (dubious) honor. Ozzy Osbourne asked that his name be removed from the nominees, but when Black Sabbath was chosen, he did show up for the ceremony.
This year, Lionel Ritchie is nominated. He was a big figure in Eighties pop, but was his music really rock? Eminem is nominated too, so basically, rock is whatever the RRHOF says it is. It doesn't matter. Whatever it was, it's dead now.
"She's so superficially fake yet so genuine inside you're not distracted by the artificiality of her appearance."
Parton has said, "It takes a lot of money to look this cheap."
I loved Dolly's take on "Stairway." It demonstrates how malleable music can be.
I've discovered this looking at the mashups by Neil Cicierega, Bill McClintock, and There I Ruined It, who qualified Eminem for the country hall of fame.
Freder Frederson said...
What’s next? The Beatles nominated to the Country Music HOF?
Rocky Racoon is straight out country.
That crossed my mind.
But the first song I thought of was Act Naturally. On the B-side of the most covered song in history.
Ian Anderson laughs.
Jamie... Thanks for the review!
Despite the country bumpkin, hillbilly affectation, she is a very smart woman.
And I happen to believe she is humble as well.
She, of all people, knows that she's not a rock artist.
The R&R HoF is getting desperate as the old acts are dying off, and everyone who is in is in.
The new stuff being played/streamed is not R&R.
It's a dead genre...
Dolly is America at it's best!
'Most of the top country music of the last decade is closer to rock than country.'
Most of the top country music of the last decade is closer to pure, unadulterated hot garbage than country.
Fixed it.
I can't understand how The B52's haven't ever been nominated; they're certainly influential enough and they check woke boxes galore.
The Grammys came from the Gramophone Award in 1959. But it has some 20 categories.
These days, nobody says Rock and Roll, so just shorten it to the Rock HOF, and add Soul Division, or A-Capella Division etc.
Dollie put out a bluegrass album that my wife bought, about 30 years ago. I thought it would be awful. It was great.
I'll have to find that CD and listen to it again.
The boobs of a champion.
The Beatles did a fair number of country-flavored covers, most notably several Carl Perkins numbers. Of their original compositions, one could easily put the following in the country category: "Baby's In Black," "Don't Pass Me By," "I've Just Seen a Face," and "What Goes On."
…and the Hall’s problem isn’t as bad as the sports team retiring numbers problem. When they run out of single and double digits what to they do? Negative integers?
==========
before that it should be upside down and sideways numbers
then cowboy style branding
Most of the top music of the last decade is closer to pure, unadulterated hot garbage than music.
re fixed it for you!
Most top music is closer to pure, unadulterated hot garbage than music.
re re fixed it for you!
The continuum of numbers is uncountably infinite
…but the real estate on a uniform is not…
Hi Ann. I'm thrilled that you included the video I mentioned as an update. It's one of my favorite cover versions. Supposedly Robert Plant himself was a fan.
However, I'm Andrew (the commenter), not Andrea (the commenter). Unless you think I'm transgender. Out of curiosity I looked up the other posts from Andrea. She describes herself as "left-leaning." That ain't me, babe. No no no.
My pronouns are he/him/his.
Dolly nominated for the RnR HOF?
Geez next thing you know Dylan will get a Nobel for litera..... oops.
"She's indeed classy, but the rock fans of an earlier era would have ridiculed her inclusion. She's not roots country, and she didn't influence rock music. This is what Daltrey meant by 'Hope I die before I get old.'"
Aside from the fact that Daltrey only sang the lyric written by Pete Townshend, your statement is baffling. How does the Who's song line relate to your comments re: Dolly Parton?
(FWIW, it is meant to express the fear of a young man facing adulthood (not Townshend so much as the archetypal young man he often wrote about)--with all its complications, compromises and obligations, where expectations wane and die in the drab everyday-ness and conformity of adult responsibility--expressed as a defiant rejection of adulthood. Alternatively, it could be the wish by the young man that, even as he grows older, he can hold onto his youthful energy, idealism, non-conformity, and thirst for the new and exciting.)
I've always loved Rocky Raccoon. It's one of those Beatles songs that has an unexpected emotional impact, despite the lyrics being a children's story. Piggies is another one.
But on the subject of country, one more song deserves mention: Octopus's Garden. I've heard that described as a psychedelic country song.
@Left Bank of the Charles,
"The White Stripes did a great rock and roll rendition of Jolene."
Another great cover version of Jolene is from the medieval era:
https://youtu.be/ugqQlB5fpuc
I can't understand how The B52's haven't ever been nominated; they're certainly influential enough and they check woke boxes galore.
You're living in your own private Idaho-
well, if you've already got Cheap Trick, how many other Illinois bands do you need? :)
Maybe REO/Kansas/Styx could be nominated as a single group.
OK, now I want a whole album of Dolly doing covers of rock classics: Bohemian Rhapsody, Hotel California, etc. I would buy the hell out of that album. And I bet a lot of other people would, too.
Randy Bachman and BTO are not in. I love Dolly as a country artist but the Hall of Fame needs to clean up its backlog of rock artists.
Her music in not really for me, however she is obviously very talented at what she does.
Even more so in my mind, is that for the past three or four decades, I could tell that she is one person who knew exactly what she was doing - pretty much all that time. I admire the hell out of her and have always. I'd guess that in the entertainment industry, you could probably only identify about a half a dozen people that seem so level headed, visionary and energetic at the same time.
As to the R&R HoF, ( I went there once) it's kind of OK, but nothing ever lasts forever. I did recently hear or read some twentieth century music expert ring in to the "rock is dead" argument. He asserted that indeed it was. And, that in his mind the last "Rock Star" was David Grohl. Not a bad point of view, and he's (Grohl) 53 years old. Really nothing else hall of famish is out there . . . . . and won't be.
Most of the few songs Ringo recorded as the lead singer on the Beatles albums have a heavy Country and Western influence and sound. In 1970, after the breakup of the Beatles, Ringo recorded not one but two solo albums. The second, Beaucoups of Blues, was a Country and Western album. Ringo’s output of solo albums that first year on his own plus him doing one as a C & W album must have shocked rock fans since he had so few songs as a Beatle. I think he did ok since the band’s divorce.
If you don’t vote for Pat Benetar for the Hall… you’re a Putin lover.
Vote for Pat 👉🏽 https://vote.rockhall.com/en/
“REO Speedwagon and Styx, have never even been nominated as the HoF has reached out to rappers and other genres.”
God forbid either of those bands ever darken that HOF. Some of the most horrible rock ever visited upon an unsuspecting - stoned - people!
And Mr. Roboto can kiss my ass and then go ride the storm out.
Little Feat belongs in the HOF. Lowell George belongs in the HOF (crazy MFer that he was)!
Why does God give us so many reasons to love Dolly Parton?
By all accounts Dolly is a wonderful person verging on sainthood.
However, she is not the country music icon for me. That honor goes to Waylon Jennings.
The tag, Professor! The tag. I do not know this Andrea person. An Althouse tag needs to be protected. It's a greater honor than an induction to a hall of fame.
I ate lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe in Tokyo once, and saw hanging on a wall, encased in glass, a shirt worn be Meatloaf during one of his concerts. My local business partner said, gazing in reverence at the icon, "Imagine the smell."
That is my only Rock & Roll anecdote.
Dolly Parton knows how to refuse, gracefully, to be used for profit by other people, like the R&RHoF.
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