#20: Dolly Parton Tried to Remove Herself From the Rock Hall
Only Dolly Parton could turn declining a major honor into an argument that she had not earned it yet. Her name appeared on the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ballot for the first time in 2022, alongside artists including Eminem, Duran Duran, Carly Simon, and Lionel Richie. Parton was grateful but uncomfortable. Country music had been her home for decades, and she felt she had not made enough rock music to deserve taking votes from performers more closely associated with the genre. She publicly asked to withdraw. There was one complication: ballots had already gone out, and the Hall announced that her name would remain eligible. Faced with the possibility of being selected whether she liked it or not, Parton reconsidered and said she would accept graciously if chosen. She was.
