“I didn’t think I was big enough”

Dolly Parton has revealed that she was offered to perform at the Super Bowl halftime show “several times” but always turned it down.

The 77-year-old country star explained why she chose not to perform on football’s biggest night because she “didn’t think I was old enough to do this big production.”

In an interview with Hollywood Reporter “I couldn’t do it because of other things, or I didn’t think I was old enough to do it — to do this big production,” she said.

The 10-time Grammy winner – who wowed in a Halloween-style dress as she cut the ribbon for her costume show over the weekend – continued: “When you think about those shows, these are very big productions. I’ve never done anything this big a production.”

“I don’t know if I can,” she added. “I guess, at the time, that’s what I was thinking.”

Instead of a halftime show, she said she would consider doing a “production show” following the release of her first rock album Rockstar – which will be released later this month on November 17.

“It would make more sense,” she explained regarding the halftime show, which will see Usher appear at the upcoming Super Bowl show on February 11, 2024.

Since she’s releasing her own rock ‘n’ roll album, she said she’s open to the idea of ​​doing a bigger performance.

“That may change,” she said. “I might be able to do a production show.”

While speaking to the outlet, she also revealed that she had previously turned down Elvis Presley as well when he wanted to record her hit song, I Will Always Love You.

She initially declined the invitation to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as well, because she didn’t feel like she fit in as a country music singer.

“They’re going to put me in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and someone like Meat Loaf or some of these other great artists didn’t even make it?” I did not want to disparage someone who spent his life in the world as I had spent my life in the countryside [music]’, she remembered thinking at the time.

She said she finally agreed when she learned that there were a variety of other artists in the Rock Hall because of the influence of their music around the world.

“But I still don’t feel good about it,” she said. “I still think I need to earn it.”

Her induction into the Hall of Fame finally made her think about making a rock and roll album.

“That’s why I thought, ‘Okay, the timing is perfect,'” she added. There’s a real reason for me to do this rock and roll album. “Here I am a 77-year-old rock star.”

Her highly anticipated album Rockstar, which features 30 classic rock songs and originals and several music icons as featured artists, is scheduled for release on November 17.

Some of her collaborations include: Paul McCartney, Elton John, Stevie Nicks, Sting, Joan Jett, Kid Rock, Emmylou Harris, Ringo Starr, Steven Tyler, Melissa Etheridge and more.

She has also worked on several of her own rock songs with Chris Stapleton, Miley Cyrus, Lizzo, Pink, and Brandi Carlile.