Dolly Parton, now 77, is not just a country music star—she’s a living legend. Born in Tennessee, Dolly has made a name for herself as both a singer and a celebrity. She’s been performing for nearly her entire life, and her fans have always loved her for it.
But recently, Dolly made a surprising announcement: she’s done with touring. Though she’ll still keep making music, her days of traveling the world to perform are over.
In an interview with Pollstar, Dolly explained her decision, saying:
“I’ll do special shows here and there. Maybe a weekend of performances or a few at festivals, but I don’t plan on doing full tours anymore.”
For someone who started from humble beginnings in the Appalachian Mountains and became an international superstar, this is a big change. Dolly’s fans are sure to miss seeing her on the road. But she’s ready to take a step back and spend more time with the person who has been by her side through it all: her husband, Carl Thomas Dean.
Their love story began back in 1964. Dolly was 18 and had just moved to Nashville to chase her music dreams. One day, outside a laundromat, she met Carl, who was 21 at the time. For Carl, it was love at first sight.
“My first thought was, ‘I’m gonna marry that girl,’” Carl told Entertainment Tonight. “My second thought was, ‘She’s beautiful.’ That’s when my life really began. I wouldn’t trade the last 50 years for anything.”
Dolly later shared how Carl had been sitting in his pickup truck when he saw her. He called out to her, but she turned him down at first. A few days later, though, she invited him over while she babysat her nephew, and that’s where their love story truly began.
In May of 1966, Dolly and Carl secretly got married in Georgia. Dolly’s record label had wanted her to wait, thinking marriage might get in the way of her career. But Dolly and Carl didn’t want to wait. To avoid media attention, only Dolly, Carl, and her mother were at the ceremony.
Since then, their love has only grown stronger. In 2016, they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary by renewing their vows. Now, with Dolly stepping back from touring, the two will have even more time together.
In her Pollstar interview, Dolly opened up about why she’s ready to leave the long tours behind:
“I’ve been doing this my whole life, and it takes a lot of time and energy. I’d rather stay closer to home with my husband. We’re both getting older, and I don’t want to be away for four or five weeks at a time. Something might happen, and I wouldn’t feel right if I wasn’t around. I’d feel bad if I had to leave a tour because someone at home needed me.”
While she may not be on the road as much, Dolly’s still working hard on her music. In fact, her next album is going to be something totally different—rock n’ roll! She was nominated for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in May, and that’s what inspired her to create this new album.
“When I got the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nomination, I thought it was the perfect time. I’d always wanted to do it. My husband is a huge rock fan, and I’ve thought for years about making an album just for him.”
Aside from the rock album, Dolly has been busy with other projects. Her NBC special Dolly Parton’s Mountain Magic Christmas aired on December 1, and it had plenty of behind-the-scenes drama.
“It’s a show within a show. It focuses on all the behind-the-scenes drama. There are arguments with producers, problems with the artists, sets falling apart, and last-minute cancellations. I wouldn’t call it acting. I’m just being myself, just Dolly, not playing a role.”
On top of all that, she’s also working with Reese Witherspoon to produce the movie Run, Rose, Run, which is based on a novel she co-wrote with James Patterson.
Dolly Parton has always been known for her strength, and her decision to step away from large tours is completely understandable when you consider everything she’s been through. Back in the 1980s, Dolly was dealing with serious health issues but kept pushing herself in her career.
In 1982, at just 35 years old, Dolly collapsed on stage during a performance in Indianapolis. She was later diagnosed with endometriosis, a painful condition that causes heavy periods and fatigue. Dolly had been ignoring her symptoms, thinking they were just “female problems.” Even though her doctor advised her to take a break before the show, she went on stage anyway.
“I was pushing myself too hard. I wasn’t watching what I ate or paying attention to nutrition. I was working non-stop while dealing with personal and emotional issues.”
After her collapse, Dolly was flown to New York for medical treatment. She had to cancel the remaining 30 shows of her 35-stop U.S. and Canada tour. Not long after, she had surgery for a partial hysterectomy.
Now, as Dolly enters a new phase of her life, she’s being kinder to herself and putting her family first. Though she’s stepping back from touring, her fans will still get plenty of new music and projects to enjoy. Plus, she’ll have the chance to spend more time with the love of her life, Carl, who has been there through it all.
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