COUNTRY music icon Dolly Parton is to be the star of a major new exhibition opening next month, exploring her life and career, and how it has been shaped by the obstacles and adversity she has faced.

Dolly Parton: Journey of a Seeker will open at Nashville’s Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on May 20, and will run until September 2026 in the museum’s East Gallery.

“Even among living legends, Dolly Parton’s star shines with unusual brilliance,” say organisers of the exhibition. “Her fame casts a wider, brighter light today than at any time in her career of sixty-plus years.

“She has enjoyed seemingly effortless success as a singer, songwriter, movie and television actor, author, businesswoman, and philanthropist ever since she first hit the record charts in 1967.

“In truth, however, her achievements required determination to get past those who tried to limit the scale of her dreams. 

“The exhibit will focus on turning points throughout Dolly’s more than 60-year career where she overcame obstacles and ignored naysayers to become one of the most beloved and widely recognised celebrities across the world.”

Dolly was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, sited at the museum on Nashville’s Rep. John Lewis Way S, back in 1999, and it remains one of her proudest achievements.

“Being inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame was one of the greatest moments of my life, and being able to have a personal exhibit for the fans that put me there is a very big deal to me,” she says.

“This seeker is very proud and honored, and I hope you enjoy my journey. I will always love you.” 

In 2022, Dolly broke barriers when she was also inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, much to her own surprise. She wrote a song for the occasion, titled Rockstar, which spawned a critically acclaimed album of the same name featuring a ‘who’s who’ of A-list rock stars.

Access to the Dolly Parton: Journey of a Seeker exhibit is included with museum admission. A limited number of timed tickets are available each day, and reservations are encouraged. Ticket availability can be found at countrymusichalloffame.org.

And, yes, it’s open 9 to 5.