Dolly Parton will write and record a rock album if she’s inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
The country icon is nominated for the first time and is a mainstay in the Top 5 of the public vote, alongside Eminem, Duran Duran, Pat Benatar and Eurythmics.
Although Dolly has recorded covers of classics by rock acts such as Led Zeppelin and Bon Jovi in the past, she was surprised by the nomination, which has compelled her to consider a full rock LP if she makes it into the Class of 2022.
“I was absolutely floored when I heard that,” confessed the Jolene hitmaker (via Billboard).
“I’ve never thought of myself as being rock and roll in any sense of the word, but I guess they judge it on the music and the influence certain songs have had.
“I guess I’ve had songs with other people in that realm, but I don’t know how they judge that.”
Dolly added: “I’m not expecting that I’ll get in. But if I do, I’ll immediately, next year, have to put out a great rock and roll album, which I’ve wanted to do for years, like a Linda Ronstadt or Heart kind of thing.
“So this may have been just a God-wink for me to go ahead and do that. It’s just nice to be nominated.”
A collective of more than 1,000 artists, industry members and historians will decide which five acts progress into the final round of induction, alongside a public vote that is running online now.
Dolly is a first-time nominee, alongside Duran Duran, Carly Simon, Lionel Richie,, A Tribe Called Quest and Beck.
The Rock & Roll Class of 2022 is revealed in May, with details of the ceremony to be announced.
