Dolly Parton Details Journey Of Overcoming 'Naysayers' In Astounding Career

Dolly Parton’s story — including challenges and triumphs spanning her unmatched career — is represented with a new display of historic artifacts in the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, Tennessee.

Parton, 79, delivered heartfelt remarks at the opening ceremony for her exhibit, titled Dolly Parton: Journey of a Seeker, on Monday evening (May 19). She took the podium after stunning renditions of two of her songs, “Coat of Many Colors” and "The Seeker,” by Alison Krauss and Union Station. Parton delivered her speech with some of downtown Nashville’s most iconic buildings as her backdrop. She answered a question she sang in one of her ballads more than a decade ago during her remarks. Parton said as she referenced the lyrics to “The Sacrifice”:

“I just think it’s wonderful that I have been able to see my little girl dreams come true. It’s a long ways from the to of the Smoky Mountains to the top of the world. And thanks to you and all the fans and the people that have helped me along the way, I’ve made it. And I’m so grateful because it didn’t come without sacrifice. … ‘I’ve sacrificed time with family and friends. I gave up vacations for work with our end, 24/7/265, but I was willing to make that sacrifice. But empty or full, I’ve carried my pale. You don’t drink the water if you don’t dig the well. Grindstones and rhinestones have made up my life. And you ask, was it worth the sacrifice?’

“Well, I reckon it was because I’m here tonight and I’m thankful for every person that’s ever helped me. I’m thankful for you tonight.”

Exhibit co-curator Allison Moorer said the key to capturing Parton’s empowering story in a unique way was taking a look at the obstacles she faced and determinedly conquered. Parton “overcame negative voices, dissenting opinions, whatever the case,” Moore noted in a conversation with iHeartCountry. “It hasn’t been as easy as she’s made it look.”

Dolly Parton: Journey of a Seeker explores every aspect of Parton’s career, including her iconic film roles, her one-of-a-kind fashion, her driven philanthropic efforts, and of course, her legendary career in country music. The exhibit includes some of Parton’s most memorable wardrobe pieces, her fax machine, her handwritten lyrics, exclusive footage of her interviews and more. These are some of the items now on display in the Journey of a Seeker exhibit, per the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum:

• Parton’s first draft of handwritten lyrics to her classic song and #1 country hit “Jolene.”
• A custom-built Gibson five-string banjo with a white metallic finish, rhinestone embellishments and butterfly motifs used by Parton at performances in 1992 and on her “Halos & Horns Tour” in 2002.
• A cowgirl outfit Parton wore in the 1980 Hollywood film “9 to 5.”
• Hand-painted and beaded boots, designed by Bambi Breakstone, which Parton wore at the photoshoot for her 2002 album, Halos & Horns.
• The Kennedy Center Honors medallion Parton was presented in 2006 to honor her lifetime of contributions to American culture.
• A Tony Chase-designed lace dress, embellished with pearl beading, Parton wore when she performed the R&B classic “I’m a Hog for You Baby” as a duet with the Muppets character Miss Piggy on an episode of Parton’s ABC-TV variety series, “Dolly!,” in 1987.
• The Gibson L-30 archtop acoustic guitar, built around 1935 — given to Parton as a gift from her brother Floyd Parton — which she played in the 1991 music video for “Silver and Gold,” from her album Eagle When She Flies.
• The dress, with balloon sleeves, chiffon skirt, bugle beading and rhinestone accents Parton wore at a 1978 photoshoot by celebrity photographer Harry Langdon Jr. The likeness of her on a Dolly Parton-themed pinball machine, made by Bally in 1979, was based on one of Langdon’s photos of her in this dress.
• Designed for Parton by Lucy Adams, a pantsuit with bell sleeves, bell bottoms and rhinestone-and-bead embellished floral shapes, worn by Parton when she toured with her Traveling Family Band in 1975, and on the cover of Dolly, her 1975 album also known as The Seeker/We Used To.

“The exhibit focuses on turning points throughout Parton’s more than 60-year career where she overcame obstacles and ignored naysayers to become one of the most beloved and widely recognized celebrities across the world,” the Country Music Hall of Fame states. “It is open now until September 2026. The Museum will hold a variety of programs throughout the life of the exhibit, including public programs and arts and crafts programming for families.”

Kyle Young, chief executive officer of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, said in a previous statement that Parton has accomplished “enough for three lifetimes,” and she “continues to astound and amaze us with her boundless talent, her vivacious wit and her tremendous generosity. Like all great artists, Parton has demonstrated consistently that she can transform adversity and setbacks into works of stunning beauty and insight into the human condition.”

Parton isn’t slowing down any time soon. During her remarks on Monday evening, the beloved legend nodded to her upcoming Nashville hotel, museum (she “did cheat” the Hall of Fame out of a few pieces she’s saving for her own exhibit), Broadway musical and more.

“Being inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame was one of the greatest moments of my life, and being able to have a personal exhibit for the fans that put me there is a very big deal to me,” Parton said in a statement when the Journey of a Seeker exhibit was announced last month. She was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1999 (and into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2022). “This seeker is very proud and honored, and I hope you enjoy my journey. I will always love you.”

Dolly Parton: Journey of a Seeker is open now through September 2026. Keep scrolling to see photos of some of the items on display in the exhibt.