Dolly Parton has been named as the 2019 MusiCares Person of the Year.
The 76-year-old music icon will be the first country music artist to receive the honour in the event’s 29-year history and she will receive the prestigious accolade at the annual gala next year.
The ‘9 to 5’ hitmaker is one of only six solo female artists to ever receive the honour and will be joining the likes of the late Aretha Franklin – who passed away last month – Sir Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Stevie Wonder, Billy Joel and Paul Simon.
Last year, Fleetwood Mac became the first band ever to receive the accolade and was joined in a performance by Miley Cyrus – who is suspected to make an appearance to support her godmother.
Revealing why Dolly had been chosen as next year’s recipient, Neil Portnow – the president and CEO of MusiCares and the Recording Academy – said: "Dolly Parton has always been and continues to be a courageous trailblazer and indomitable inspiration for creators and artists – so for us to have the opportunity to honor her at our annual MusiCares Person of the Year gala is to pay tribute to a true pillar of strength and someone who we all look up to and cherish.
"With her legendary talent, she has forged a career that spans decades, and her gifts as a performer resound on both stage and screen. Dolly also knows the power of philanthropy and she has used her stardom to contribute to a wide range of causes from natural disasters to education and literacy programs."
Outside of her chart-topping music career, the ‘Jolene’ singer is an active philanthropist, and recently revealed her initiative to inspire children to read more books, by assisting with the YouTube Kids #ReadAlong campaign.
In 1995, Dolly launched her own book-gifting scheme that provides free books to children between birth and the age of five in communities in the US, the UK, Canada and Australia.
Established in 1989 by the Recording Academy, the goal of MusiCares is to offer services to members of the music community, including financial assistance for basic living expenses, medical expenses, and treatment for critical illnesses like HIV/AIDS and Parkinson’s disease.
Dolly will receive her award at the Los Angeles Convention Center on February 2, 2019, two days before the Grammys take place.
Dolly Parton named MusiCares Person of the Year
