Dolly Parton accepts major award from home amid health concerns

Dolly Parton continues to avoid travelling due to her ongoing health issues.

The Queen of Country accepted the Poet’s Award virtually at the 19th American Country Music Awards on Wednesday, August 19, a week after revealing that doctors advised her against travelling out of state.

“I just want to send a very special thank you to the Academy of Country Music for honouring me with the Poet’s Award,” Parton, 80, said in a video message. “You know, I’ve been able to do many things throughout my life, but at my core, songwriting has always been the most important part of who I am creatively.”

The Jolene hitmaker continued, “Every dream I ever had and all the dreams that I’ve been able to see come true in life, well, they all started with a song. Songwriting has been my therapy. Songwriting has been my release, my joy. Songwriting has been a gift from God that has allowed me to touch people with words and music.”

Her virtual appearance came days after she missed the opening of Dollywood’s new NightFlight Expedition ride because she was dehydrated and experiencing dizziness. “All is going well on the medical end of things,” she assured fans in another video message.

Parton had also recently cancelled her Las Vegas residency set for September, explaining some of her medications and treatments left her feeling “a little swimmy-headed, as my grandma used to say.”

The 80-year-old star remains busy, however, with her SongTeller Hotel, Life of Many Colors Museum and upcoming Broadway production, Dolly: A True Original Musical.