A major exhibition exploring the life and career of the woman who is arguably country music’s biggest living superstar, “Dolly Parton: Journey of a Seeker,” will open at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in May and run through September 2026, the institution announced Wednesday.
The exhibition will include artifacts ranging from her musical instruments to handwritten lyrics for famous songs and a cassette player Parton used to record demos to a variety of outfits wore on album covers or in TV appearances over the years. Text will explore some of the transitional points in Parton’s career.
A book released in conjunction with the exhibit will go into depth on all of the above and feature the stories behind some of Parton’s classic songs. Lectures, panel discussions and concerts will also occur at the museum from June through to next year. And the museum is creating a playlist to accompany the exhibition that will premiere on all steaming services the day the display opens — on May 20.
“”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. “This seeker is very proud and honored, and I hope you enjoy my journey. I will always love you.”
“After accomplishing enough for three lifetimes, Dolly Parton continues to astound and amaze us with her boundless talent, her vivacious wit and her tremendous generosity,” said Kyle Young, the museum’s CEO, in a statement. “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.”
The exhibit book, which includes 85 archival images and artifact photographs, can be pre-ordered here.
Among some of the artifacts that will go up for display during the exhibit’s 16-month run:
A cowgirl outfit Dolly Parton wore in scenes in the 1980 Hollywood film “9 to 5.”
Bob Delevante for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
A Tony Chase-designed lace dress, embellished with pearl beading, Dolly 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.
Bob Delevante for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
A Lucy Adams-designed dress, with lace sleeves and skirt and a butterfly-shaped rhinestone design, which Parton wore at appearances on “The Dolly Porter Wagoner Show” and the cover of the 1974 album Porter ’n’ Dolly.
Bob Delevante for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
A Steve Summers-designed metallic dress, with mesh fabric, spikes and beaded fringe, was worn by Dolly Parton in photos promoting her singles “World on Fire” and “We are the Champions/We Will Rock You,” from her 2023 album, Rockstar.
Bob Delevante for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Designed for Dolly 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.
Bob Delevante for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
The first public program connected with the exhibit will be a concert on June 7 in the CMA Theater titled “Smoky Mountain DNA,” a 90-minute performance that will feature “Owens-Parton family historian, archivist, producer, and bandleader Richie Owens, along with an ensemble of Parton’s family members, who are acclaimed singer-songwriters themselves. Sharing the music and stories that raised Parton, this musical journey through time will leave attendees with a true understanding of where Parton came from and why she still draws so much inspiration from her East Tennessee roots.” Program tickets can be reserved on the museum website starting May 1.
Parton will be releasing a book of her own, “Star of the Show: My Life on Stage,” in November. The museum will host a panel discussion on Dec, 7 focused on Parton’s touring success. Panelists will include author and historian Robert K. Oermann and Billboard writer Tom Roland, who was the editor of the “Star of the Show” book. Program tickets will be available to reserve on Oct. 23.
On Jan. 19, Parton will turn 80. Two days prior to that, the museum’s Ford Theater will present a panel discussion highlighting her book “Behind the Seams: My Life in Rhinestones.” Panelists will include Holly George-Warren, a fashion writer and one of Parton’s “Behind the Seams” co-authors; Rebecca Seaver, director of museum and archive services for Dolly Parton Productions and another “Behind the Seams” co-author; and Steve Summers, longtime costumer and creative director for Dolly Parton Enterprises. Tickets for that program can also be reserved starting Oct. 23.
