Dolly Parton Honored At Start Of Grammy Weekend

Nearly three hours after performances from a starry array including Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood, Don Henley and Vince Gill and Miley Cyrus and Shawn Mendes, Dolly Parton was officially christened the 2019 MusiCares Person of the Year, reports ajc.com.

Surprising Parton at the ceremony at the Los Angeles Convention Center were her longtime “Trio” friends, Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt, making a rare public appearance since her Parkinson’s diagnosis in 2012.

Photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images for NARAS

Parton, who joins an illustrious list of recipients including Billy Joel, Aretha Franklin, Tony Bennett, Bono, Bruce Springsteen, Neil Young, Tom Petty, Elton John and last year’s honorees, Fleetwood Mac, was chosen in recognition of her creative accomplishments as well as her support of charitable causes.

Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood – two of the last big names on the carpet because of their willingness to spend time with every reporter – spoke about Big Picture Parton.

“She’s so much more than an icon. I feel like everybody is here,” Yearwood said, holding her hand chest high, “and Dolly is up here. She’s a positive role model for men and women and for how to control your own business. She’s one of those women who can do it (all) without being called anything ugly. Sometimes if you really force your way, some of the words that are used aren’t that nice, but everybody loves Dolly.”

Added Brooks, “She’s the first one from Nashville that’s done MusiCares so that’s inspiring to men and women. She just kinda becomes the first on everything it seems…The Beatles have chord progressions nobody has touched yet. Dolly still has licks no one has touched yet.”