![](\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/authoring\/authoring-images\/2025\/11\/20\/USAT\/87375925007-trnd-knox-tn-dolly-parton-accepts-iaapa-hall-of-fame-thumb.jpg?crop=1919,1079,x0,y0\"\/)
<\/p>\n![\"play\"](\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/appservices\/universal-web\/universal\/icons\/icon-play-alt-white.svg\"){kind=icon}
<\/div>\n<\/div>\nSee Dolly Parton’s video message after missing event to ‘take it easy’<\/p>\n
Dolly Parton thanks IAAPA for hall of fame induction with thoughtful video message, reminisced about early days of Dollywood.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Dolly Parton<\/a> is gearing up for her milestone 80th birthday, but the country music legend won\u2019t be at the Grand Ole Opry party to celebrate.<\/p>\n In a video posted on the Opry\u2019s<\/a> social media, the “9 to 5” hitmaker thanked fans and wished them “the best night ever.”<\/p>\n “I just wanted to say how much it means to me that you\u2019re all coming together again this year to celebrate my big ol\u2019 birthday,” Parton said. She continued, “I wish I could be there in person, but I\u2019ll be sending you all my love for sure.”<\/p>\n On Jan. 17, “Opry Goes Dolly”<\/a> will honor Parton\u2019s “iconic \u201880s era” and feature performances by Lainey Wilson, Vince Gill, Rhonda Vincent and more. Parton turns 80 on Jan. 19. The Opry promised fans a day of “song and fun” even without the “Jolene” singer in attendance. The event will feature a Dolly impersonator, Dolly-themed drinks and birthday cupcakes on Opry House tours.<\/p>\n Parton\u2019s announcement comes months after she postponed her Las Vegas concert residency due to medical procedures. Parton later told fans that after her husband died earlier this year<\/a>, she “didn’t take care of” herself and “let a lot of things go that I should have been taking care of.”<\/p>\n A spokesperson for Parton clarified to Entertainment Weekly<\/a> that she never had plans to attend the Opry celebration. USA TODAY has reached out to Parton\u2019s representatives for comment.<\/p>\n In September, Parton postponed her upcoming Las Vegas concerts, telling fans she has been “dealing with some health challenges, and my doctors tell me that I must have a few procedures.” Parton’s sister later sparked concern about the severity of these issues by asking fans to pray for the singer.<\/p>\n Addressing fans in an Oct. 8 video on Instagram<\/a>, Parton clarified she is doing “OK” but has “some problems” to deal with and needs to have a “few treatments.” She responded humorously, capturing the video: “I ain\u2019t dead yet!”<\/p>\n In November, Parton was inducted into the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions\u2019 Hall of Fame, but was not able to attend<\/a> due to health issues.<\/p>\n “I sure wish I could be with you in person today, but you probably heard that I’ve been dealing with a few health challenges this fall, and my doctors told me to take it easy for just a little while,” she said in the video. “I’m truly sorry I can’t be there, but I sure wanted to take the chance to say thank you for this incredible honor.”<\/p>\n Contributing: KiMi Robinson, Bryan Alexander, Brendan Morrow<\/p>\n<\/div>\nDolly Parton previously addressed health challenges, postponed residency<\/h2>\n