John 5 and Dolly photo provided courtesy of Adrenaline PR.

The stage lights dim today all over the world as music icon Dolly Parton has died. She was 80 years old. News of her passing was shared in a video message from her nephew, with Dolly’s blessing. She was reportedly in ill health in the last few years. An iconic force in music, acting, pop culture, and philanthropy for six decades. Her passing follows her beloved husband and manager, Carl Dean, who died in 2025 after almost 60 years of marriage. Transcending Country music to Gospel, Blues, Musicals, and Rock, she crossed ages and other boundaries with her voice. She was increasingly philanthropic towards the end of her life, focusing on children’s care and quality of life, fighting cancer, education, and COVID relief in Tennessee. Writing over 3000 songs in her lifetime, she has been the recipient of nearly every music award possible, including the Country Music Hall of Fame, The Grand Ole Opry, Songwriters Hall of Fame, The Grammy Hall of Fame (for “I Will Always Love You”) Gospel Hall of Fame, Musicians Hall of Fame, and her 2022 induction into The Rock And Roll Fame. Following her Rock Hall honor she put out an album of Rock covers with collaborators and songs by Rob Halford of Judas Priest, John 5, Duran Duran, Melissa Ethridge, Lizzo, Nikki Sixx, Pat Benetar and Neil Giraldo, Prince Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, Sting, Journey, Heart, John Fogerty, Stevie Nicks, Joan Jett, Bob Seger, The Rolling Stones, Richie Sambora, Peter Frampton, Chris Stapleton, Miley Cyrus, Pink, Brandi Carlisle and more. RIP Queen. Continue reading →