Dolly Parton has added yet another accolade to her illustrious career, receiving the Poet’s Award at the 19th ACM Honors ceremony held in Nashville on August 19. The country music legend, who recently announced some health concerns, accepted the award virtually, expressing her gratitude to the Academy of Country Music in a heartfelt message shared via her Instagram account.
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In her video message, the 80-year-old star remarked, “I just want to send a very special thank you to the Academy of Country Music for honouring me with the Poet’s Award.” She emphasised the significance of songwriting in her life, stating that it has always been the essence of her creative identity. “Every dream I ever had and all the dreams that I’ve been able to see come true in life, well, they all started with a song,” she added.
Parton described songwriting as not only a means of expression but also a form of therapy and joy. She credited it as a divine gift that has enabled her to connect with people through her music. “Songwriting has been my therapy. Songwriting has been my release, my joy. Songwriting has been a gift from God,” she said, highlighting its importance in her life.
The ACM Honors ceremony, hosted by Carly Pearce and Parker McCollum, celebrated other notable figures in the country music industry, such as Bill Anderson, Kacey Musgraves, and Eric Church, among others. This year’s event recognised a diverse range of contributions in the field, illustrating the rich tapestry of talent in country music.
Dolly Parton’s virtual acceptance was particularly notable as she recently had to forgo the grand opening of Dollywood’s newest attraction, the NightFlight Expedition ride, due to health issues. She candidly shared her struggles with dehydration and dizziness, which led her doctor to advise against travelling, saying humourously, “If your doctor tells you, ‘You ain’t travelling this week,’ you ain’t travelling this week.” Nevertheless, she assured her fans that her health is on the mend, reassuring everyone that “all is going well on the medical end of things.”
The country star has been open about her health challenges in recent months, having notably cancelled her postponed Las Vegas residency earlier in May. Parton shared with fans then that she needed time to recover, mentioning the side effects of medication impacting her ability to perform on stage. “It’s gonna take me a little while before I’m up to stage performance level because some of the meds and treatments make me a little swimmy-headed, as my grandma used to say,” she explained.
Despite her recent health setbacks, Parton continues to work on various exciting projects, including the SongTeller Hotel and the Life of Many Colors Museum, both of which showcase her remarkable journey as an artist. Additionally, she is preparing for the upcoming Broadway production, “Dolly: A True Original Musical,” which is anticipated by many fans and theatre enthusiasts.
Dolly Parton’s last public appearance before the ACM Honors was in June, where she celebrated the opening of a themed truck stop in Cornersville, Tennessee. Her resilience and ability to connect with fans remain uncompromised, as she continues to inspire millions with her music and stories.
As Parton adds the Poet’s Award to her collection, it serves as a reminder of her immense contributions to the world of music and her unwavering spirit in the face of personal challenges. In the realm of country music, she continues to be a shining beacon, proving that her legacy is firmly cemented in both the hearts of her fans and the annals of music history.