Photo by Dean Budnick

Six weeks since she asked for her name to be withdrawn from consideration for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, saying “I don’t feel that I have earned that right,” Dolly Parton has changed her mind. In an interview with NPR’s Morning Edition, the “9 to 5” icon said she would “accept gracefully.”

Initially, Parton’s reaction to the nomination started debates, she wrote, “I do hope that the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame will understand and be willing to consider me again — if I’m ever worthy. This has, however, inspired me to put out a hopefully great rock & roll album in the future, which I have always wanted to do.”

During the NPR interview, she admitted her reaction was based on a misconception about the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. “It was always my belief that the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame was for people in rock music,” Parton shared. “I have found out lately it’s not necessarily that. But if they can’t go there to be recognized, where can they go? And so I felt like I was taking away from someone that maybe deserved it certainly more than me since I never considered myself a rock artist. But obviously, there’s more to it than that.”

In response to her request, The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame responded by saying it was too late to remove her from consideration and that her nomination they added that, “We are in awe of Dolly’s brilliant talent and pioneering spirit and are proud to have nominated her for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.”

The 2022 Hall of Fame ballot included Eminem, Devo, Duran Duran, Carly Simon, Beck, Lionel Richie, Rage Against the Machine, A Tribe Called Quest among other iconic artists.

Listen to Dolly Parton’s conversation with Morning Edition below: