Dolly Parton attends Dolly Parton’s Threads: My Songs In Symphony World Premiere at Schermerhorn Symphony Center on March 20, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)Getty Images
Dolly Parton won’t be writing any new music anytime soon.
On a July 10 episode of the podcast “Khloé In Wonder Land,” the country icon told host Khloé Kardashian that she was putting songwriting on pause following the loss of her husband, Karl Dean, who passed away in March at 82.
“Several things I’ve wanted to start, but I can’t do it,” she explained. “I will later, but I’m just coming up with such wonderful, beautiful ideas. But I think I won’t finish it,” Parton, 79, said. “I can’t do it right now, because I got so many other things and I can’t afford the luxury of getting that emotional right now.”
“Everything begins with a story or a song,” Parton noted. “I think that’s one of the reasons I love to write, because I feel so connected to God in those moments,” she added.
Dean passed away on March 3 in their Nashville home. His cause of death was not confirmed, but he was reportedly diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2019. In 2022, Parton announced that she would no longer be going on tour to spend more time at home with him.
At the time of his Dean’s passing, Parton shared a statement on Instagram, writing: “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.”
A few days after his death, she released the single, “If You Hadn’t Been There,” as a tribute to Dean. “Like all great love stories, they never end. They live on in memory and song. He will always be the star of my life story,” she penned in an Instagram post promoting the song. The cover art was a photo of a young Parton with her arms around Dean.
Since the release of her tribute song, Parton has not put out any new music. However, she hasn’t completely paused her career. Last month, she announced a limited six-show residency at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas this December. Last month, Parton announced a limited six-show residency at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas this December.
“To say I’m excited would be an understatement,” Parton said in a statement at the time the residency was released.. “I haven’t worked Vegas in years, and I’ve always loved singing there. I’m looking so forward to the shows in The Colosseum at Caesars and I hope you are as well. See you there!”
Parton’s last Las Vegas residency was 32 years ago. The new shows are scheduled for December.
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