Dolly Parton clarifies why she initially turned down Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nomination

Dolly Parton says she meant no disrespect by initially turning down her nomination for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

As she explained in a recent Billboard interview, it’s not that she didn’t appreciate the honor — she just believed she wasn’t worthy.

“I feel honored that all the people that voted for me did. And I appreciate the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame people for staying there with me. I never meant to cause trouble or stir up any controversy,” she said.

She continued, “It was just always my belief — and I think millions of other people out there too — always thought the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame was just set up for the greatest people in the rock ‘n’ roll business, and I just didn’t feel like I really measured up to that and I don’t want to take anything away from the people that have worked so hard."

“So I just wanted to go pull out before it got started good,” she added. “I found out later that it’s far more than that, obviously. … I’m very honored and humbled by (the induction), and so I’ll try to live up to it.”

In March, Parton turned down her nomination after her name came out as part of a shortlist of artists up for consideration.

“Even though I am extremely flattered and grateful to be nominated for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, I don’t feel that I have earned that right,” she wrote on Instagram at the time. “I really do not want votes to be split because of me, so I must respectfully bow out.”

But a month later, she’d reconsidered. “I’ll accept gracefully. I’ll just say ‘Thanks’ and I will accept it because the fans vote,” she told NPR’s “Morning Edition.”

Then, on May 4, the Hall of Fame announced its 2022 roster of inductees, which included Parton, who was on the ballot for the first time.

Later in the day, Parton posted a graphic provided by the Hall of Fame that included a throwback photo of herself, and wrote in the caption, “I am honored and humbled by the fact that I have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Of course I will accept it gracefully. Thanks to everyone that voted for me and to everyone at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I will continue to work hard and try to live up to the honor. Love, Dolly.”

Longtime pal and fellow musician Reba McEntire also posted about the news on Instagram, sharing a picture of herself with Parton. She wrote, “A little bit country, a little bit rock ‘n’ roll…congratulations Dolly on your induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame!”

Now that she is officially being inducted, the Queen of Country hinted that a rock album could be on the way.

“I had actually thought about that before I even got nominated for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame,” she told Billboard. “I’ve always wanted to do a great rock album, and I’m going to do that. I don’t know when, but I will do one.”

And Parton already has plenty of amazing ideas for the record.

“I love The Rolling Stones,” she said. “I’ve always wanted to do the song ‘Satisfaction.’ That’s one of my husband’s favorite songs. And I may have to drag Mick’s guys up there to help me sing it. I thought about writing a song called ‘Rock of Ages,’ where I get all the great old rock ‘n’rollers, the people that I have always admired and respected.”

Parton, 76, joins Pat Benatar, Duran Duran, Eminem, Eurythmics, Lionel Richie and Carly Simon in the class of performers set to be inducted on Nov. 5 in Los Angeles’ Microsoft Theater.

The singer added that she doesn’t know yet if she will attend the induction — but if she does?

“I’m going to sing the hardest style rock ‘n’ roll song I could ever muster up just to show that I can do it,” she said.