“Dolly Parton will not be in attendance to celebrate her 80th birthday at the Grand Ole Opry. The “9 to 5” singer, who will be 80 years old on Jan. 19, announced on Instagram on Thursday that she will miss the venue’s birthday celebration, which is scheduled to take place on Jan. 17 in Nashville.”, — write: www.hollywoodreporter.com
The “9 to 5” singer, who will be 80 years old on Jan. 19, announced on Instagram on Thursday that she will miss the venue’s birthday celebration, which is scheduled to take place on Jan. 17 in Nashville. Opry members Lainey Wilson, Vince Gill, Rhonda Vincent and songwriter Trannie Anderson will take the stage in her honor.
“Well hey there Grand Ole Opry family,” Parton said in a video posted to the Opry page. “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.”
She continued, “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.”
The Grand Ole Opry account addressed Parton’s absence in the comment section of the post, writing, “While Dolly is unable to attend in person, we’re looking forward to honoring her through song and fun all day long.” The venue clarified that the event will include birthday party cupcakes, specialty “Dolly-themed” drinks, a “larger-than-life birthday card for fans to sign” and tributes dedicated to the country singer.
Parton’s announcement comes just a few months after the “Jolene” singer postponed her Las Vegas concerts from December to September 2026 and was unable to attend this past year’s Governors Awards gala, on Nov. 16, where she was honored with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award.
The 79-year-old, who was scheduled to perform a series of six concerts at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, announced in September 2025 that the residency would be pushed back due to “health challenges.”
“I want the fans and public to hear directly from me that, unfortunately, I will need to postpone my upcoming Las Vegas concerts,” she wrote at the time. “As many of you know, I’ve been dealing with some health challenges, and my doctors tell me that I must have a few procedures. As I joked with them, it must be time for my 100,000 check-up, although it’s not the usual trip to see my plastic surgeon!”
She continued: “In all seriousness, given this, I am not going to be able to rehearse and put together the show that I want you to see and the show that you deserve to see. You pay good money to see me perform, and I want to be at my best for you. While I’ll still be able to work on all of my projects from here in Nashville, I just need a little time to get show ready, as they say. And don’t worry about me quittin’ the business because God hasn’t said anything about stopping yet. But, I believe He is telling me to slow down right now so I can be ready for more big adventures with all of you.”