Dolly Parton bows out of Rock & Roll Hall of Fame race

Country music icon, Dolly Parton, has bowed out of the race to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame this year after she was nominated.

The 76-year-old music legend is taking herself out of the running for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s 2022 class of inductees.

Parton in a statement shared to her social media accounts, said that while she was “extremely flattered and grateful” for the nomination, she didn’t feel she’d “earned that right.”

“I really do not want votes to be split because of me, so I must respectfully bow out.”

The country chanteuse in a post on her Instagram page wrote: “Dolly here! Even though I am extremely flattered and grateful to be nominated for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, I don’t feel that I have earned that right. I really do not want votes to be split because of me, so I must respectfully bow out.

“I do hope that the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame will understand and be willing to consider me again – if I’m ever worthy. This has, however, inspired me to put out a hopefully great rock ‘n’ roll album at some point in the future, which I have always wanted to do!

“My husband is a total rock ‘n’ roll freak, and has always encouraged me to do one. I wish all of the nominees good luck and thank you again for the compliment. Rock on!”

Parton was the sole country star on this year’s ballot, which also included Eminem, A Tribe Called Quest and Dionne Warwick.