The great Dolly Parton took the stage along with other singers on Sunday night during a special segment and tribute to her and her significant contributions to the music industry over the years.
She is the first country artist to be saluted in this way in the tribute’s 29-year history.
“After all these years I’m still at, and people act like I’m still important,” said Parton with her typical humility on the red carpet ahead of the 2019 Grammy Awards on Sunday night, this year held in Los Angeles.
Parton is also that rare celebrity who’s deliberately chosen not to express herself politically these days when she has the spotlight.
Instead, she’s steadfastly focused on the music and on entertainment — she’s not wanted to alienate anyone.
Dolly on the #Grammys Red Carpet pic.twitter.com/jNsX6pqR2N
— Dolly Parton News (@DollyLite) February 11, 2019
Me, @shawnmendes & @MarkRonson perform Islands In The Stream for @dollyparton @MusiCares @RecordingAcad pic.twitter.com/a00cosBDX0
— Miley Ray Cyrus (@MileyCyrus) February 9, 2019
The longtime star, who is 73, also said Sunday night ahead of the ceremony, “I’m excited to be here tonight … It’s a wonderful tribute. Actually, this whole weekend has been an exciting thing for me … I’m very humbled by it.”
Miley Cyrus and other musicians were among those scheduled to partake in an ensemble performance of her greatest hits.
The tribute to Dolly Parton was slated to be number six in the musical lineup on Sunday night, televised live on CBS News and starting at 8 p.m. Eastern.
And when she had the stage — she completely rocked it, belting out, among other songs, her theme song from “9 to 5.”
The Queen of Country, @DollyParton will perform tonight at the #GRAMMYs! You don't want to miss her performance. ?? pic.twitter.com/edD2lHRfXF
— Recording Academy / GRAMMYs (@RecordingAcad) February 10, 2019
LIFE = MADE ? I LOVE @DollyParton pic.twitter.com/Pvoc7TqXwA
— K A C E Y M U S G R A V E S (@KaceyMusgraves) February 9, 2019
Parton is a singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer, actress, author, businesswoman, and philanthropist — and she’s known primarily for her work and contributions to country music.
The “9 to 5” star repeatedly has refused to answer political questions in her interviews.
She’s always stuck to her guns on this point.
“I’m not getting into any of that,” she said last year when David Wright of ABC’s “Nightline” kept trying to get her to comment on today’s politics.
“I have a lot of fans out there and don’t want to offend anybody. Besides, I just don’t get into that. If you are deciding you may want to ask me something more serious, don’t, because I’m not going to answer it,” she told the interviewer last year.
To see what went on at the Grammys last year, check out this video:
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