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Dolly Parton’s 77th birthday is around the corner, and the Grand Ole Opry unveiled celebration plans fit for a Queen of Country.
Parton will turn 77 — which is her favorite number, per a press release from the Grand Ole Opry — on January 19. The Grand Ole Opry will hold tributes to the “9 To 5” icon, including by spotlighting hit songs from her 1977 album, Here You Come Again, which was hailed as “Parton’s first platinum album and a crossover smash,” according to the release issued Thursday (January 12).
Chapel Hart, The Fairfield Four, Caitlyn Smith, Marty Stuart, and Chris Young are among artists scheduled for January 21 shows, which will include tributes to Parton. Beginning Thursday, $5 from every ticket sold for the January 21st performances will be donated in Parton’s honor to the Opry Trust Fund, which has helped members of the country music community for more than five decades, according to the Opry.
Fans can also celebrate Parton’s birthday with 77 hours of giveaways on the Grand Ole Opry’s social media channels, birthday cupcakes made from Parton’s Duncan Hines cake mix provided to guests (while supplies last) on January 19, a birthday card for Ryman Auditorium visitors to sign from January 19 through 21, and a Dolly impersonator at the Ryman Plaza on January 21, among other plans, Opry officials announced.
“We love an Opry party and everyone around the world loves Dolly!” Opry Executive Producer Dan Rogers said in a statement. “Though Dolly herself can’t be with us this year due to her feature film schedule, I think we can all agree Dolly deserves to be celebrated this year and ever year. We’re going to have some fun Dolly additions to the great schedule of shows lined up for our January run downtown at the Ryman.”