Dolly Parton To Be Honored as 2019 MusiCares Person of the Year

Dolly Parton. Photo credit: Kii Arens

Dolly Parton is the first artist from the Nashville music community to be named MusiCares Person of the Year, the most prestigious honor presented by the charity founded by the Recording Academy.

Parton will be celebrated at the 2019 MusiCares Person of the Year tribute on Friday, Feb. 8, 2019, at the Los Angeles Convention Center, as part of Grammy week and two nights prior to the 61st Annual Grammy Awards. The gala dinner will include a tribute concert and live and silent auctions. Proceeds from the 29th annual benefit gala will provide essential support for MusiCares, which ensures music people have a place to turn in times of financial, medical, and personal need.

Parton, an eight-time Grammy winner, is being recognized for her considerable creative accomplishments and her longtime support of a number of causes through her Dollywood Foundation, including the Imagination Library, which since 1996 has provided more than 100 million books to children from birth to 5 years of age in the United States, Canada, Australia, and the U.K.

“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,” said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of MusiCares and the Recording Academy. “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.”

“I am so excited and humbled to be honored as MusiCares Person of the Year,” said Parton. “It’s even more special knowing the gala benefits music people in need. I can’t wait to hear all of the great artists singing my music.”

The celebration culminates with the 61st Annual Grammy Awards at Staples Center in Los Angeles on Sunday, Feb. 10, 2019. The telecast will be broadcast live on the CBS Television Network at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.