Dolly Parton puts songwriting “on hold” following husband’s death
Dolly Parton has confirmed she has currently put songwriting “on hold” following the death of her husband, Carl Dean, earlier this year.
Parton announced the death of Dean, aged 82, in March. The couple met in 1964 after Parton moved to Nashville to forge her music career, and married two years later in 1966. While Dean was rarely seen in public, he was her rock behind-the-scenes.
Following his passing, Parton poignantly shared: “Carl and I spent many wonderful years together. Words can’t do justice to the love we shared for over 60 years. Thank you for your prayers and sympathy.”
Additionally, the country star released the moving song ‘If You Hadn’t Been There’ shortly after Dean’s death as an ode to her late husband.
Now, in a new appearance on the podcast Khloe in Wonder Land, Parton opened up about her grief and explained why this has taken priority over her career, stating, “I can’t do it right now because I got so many other things that I can’t afford the luxury of, you know, of getting emotional right now.”
Parton then said that she has “stalled” plans to write more music, however, that may change in the future, adding, “I’ll write something else, though, if it comes. I’m just putting that all on hold.”
While Parton is retired from touring, she is set to return to the stage later this year for a short residency in Las Vegas. It will mark her first visit to the Nevada city in more than three decades. She is set to perform at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace for six shows between December 4th and December 13th, 2025.
Parton, who previously played 50 shows in Vegas between 1990 and 1993, said of her return to Sin City: To say I’m excited would be an understatement. I haven’t worked Vegas in years and I’ve always loved singing there.”
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