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In celebration of Dolly Parton’s milestone 80th birthday, the Grand Ole Opry will host its fourth annual Opry Goes Dolly show on January 17.
The Opry unveiled new details about the show on Wednesday morning (January 7). Lainey Wilson, Vince Gill, Rhonda Vincent and songwriter Trannie Anderson — who will make her Opry debut — will take the stage in Parton’s honor. Additional performers will be announced at a later date. This year’s Opry Goes Dolly show will celebrate Parton’s “iconic ‘80s era.”
Parton will not attend the event in person, per the Opry’s announcement. However, the beloved country legend said in a recorded message: “Well hey there, Grand Ole Opry family! I just wanted to say how much it means to me that you’re all coming together again this year to celebrate my big ol’ birthday with some of my songs. Some of my favorite memories happened right here on stage at the Grand Ole Opry. And I wish I could be there in person, but I’ll be sending you all my love for sure. So, you have the best night ever.”
Parton was officially inducted into the Grand Ole Opry on January 4, 1969. She was 23 years old. Parton reflected on her Opry induction when she shared an excerpt from her recently-published book, Star of the Show: My Life on Stage, on Instagram. Parton said she’d “always wanted to be a member. Back home and in country music, the epitome of success was to be on the Grand Ole Opry. To become a member was a big deal.
“I thought back to how I’d perform on my porch at my Tennessee mountain home, imagining that one day I was going to be on the Grand Ole Opry,” she continued. “By becoming an official member, I would forever be associated with the Opry. It was a dream come true. And it still is.”
Opry Goes Dolly is “a one-of-a-kind Opry show that falls just two days before her actual 80th birthday,” states a press release issued Wednesday. Other plans to celebrate Parton’s birthday include cupcakes at Opry House daytime tours, a birthday card for fans to sign, photos with a Dolly impersonator, and more. The release also notes that tickets are available now, and $5 from every ticket sold will support Parton’s Imagination Library.