Dolly Parton is being honored with a new exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame. The 79-year-old is the subject of Dolly Parton: Journey of a Seeker. The exhibit will open on May 20, and remain open until September of 2026.
“Being inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame was one of the greatest moments of my life, and being able to have a personal exhibit for the fans that put me there is a very big deal to me,” Parton says. “This seeker is very proud and honored, and I hope you enjoy my journey. I will always love you.”
“After accomplishing enough for three lifetimes, Dolly Parton continues to astound and amaze us with her boundless talent, her vivacious wit and her tremendous generosity,” adds Kyle Young, Chief Executive Officer of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. “Like all great artists, Parton has demonstrated consistently that she can transform adversity and setbacks into works of stunning beauty and insight into the human condition.”
Items in the exhibit include the first draft of her handwritten lyrics to “Jolene, along with the Sony portable cassette tape recorder used when Parton wrote “Jolene,” “I Will Always Love You” and “The Seeker”; a cowgirl outfit Parton wore for the 1980 film, 9 to 5; the Kennedy Center Honors medallion Parton received in 2006, along with numerous other dresses, instruments and more.
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The news comes during a particularly painful chapter in Parton’s life. The Grand Ole Opry member is mourning the loss of her husband, Carl Dean, who passed away on March 3. The couple would have celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary in May.
Parton released a stunning love song, “If You Hadn’t Been There,” in tribute to Dean and their love story.
“I fell in love with Carl Dean when I was 18 years old,” Parton says. “We have spent 60 precious and meaningful years together. Like all great love stories, they never end. They live on in memory and song. He will always be the star of my life story, and I dedicate this song to him.”
Parton still has plenty of business ventures, in addition to her music career. Her Dolly: An Original Musical will open on Broadway in 2026, after first premiering in Nashville this summer.
“It just seemed natural and right for me to premiere the story of my life in Tennessee, ’cause I’m Tennessee-born and Tennessee-raised,” Parton explains. “We will be doing lots of songs that you know in the musical. But I’ve written a whole lot of original songs, and I’m having a whole lot of fun.”
Parton also just celebrated the 40th anniversary of her theme park, Dollywood. She is building her own Songteller hotel in Nashville, plus has her own line of wine, beauty products, clothing and more.
An accompanying book, Dolly Parton: Journey Of A Seeker, will be released on May 20, and is available for pre-order here. Find more information on the exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame.