Reba Shares The Hilarious Story Of How Dolly Parton Crashed Her Opry Debut
Dolly Parton with Reba McEntire at the 60th Anniversary of the Grand Ole Opry in 1985. (Photo by CBS via Getty Images)
The Opry Celebrates Dolly Parton’s 80th Birthday
On January 17th, two days before Dolly Parton‘s 80th birthday, the Grand Ole Opry hosted a star-studded celebration in honor of the legend. The show focused on Dolly’s “iconic ’80s era” when “the hair was bigger, the clothes were brighter, and ‘9 to 5’ hit the silver screen!”
Dolly became a member of the Grand Ole Opry on January 4, 1969. In the years since, she has performed on the Opry stage an estimated 300+ times.
The special birthday celebration, Opry Goes Dolly, featured Opry members Lainey Wilson, Vince Gill, Rhonda Vincent, and Mark Wills. Guest performers Trannie Anderson, Sierra Hull, Elizabeth Nichols, and the Opry Square Dancers rounded out the lineup for the remarkable evening at the famed venue.
The “Jolene” singer herself was not able to attend, but addressed the audience in a video message:
“Opry family, I just wanted to say how much it means to me that you’re all coming together again this year to celebrate my big ol’ birthday with some of my songs. Some of my favorite memories happened right here on stage at the Grand Ole Opry. I wish I could be there in person, but I’ll be sending you all my love for sure. So, you have the best night ever!”
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The Story Of When Reba’s Opry Debut Took An Unexpected Turn
Country icon Reba McEntire made a special appearance during Opry Goes Dolly to honor her fellow country star and share a funny anecdote of the first time the pair met. Like Dolly, she has appeared on the Opry stage countless times over the decades. While she did not sing on this particular occasion, she told the story of the first time she ever stepped into the circle.
The “Fancy” singer made her Grand Ole Opry debut on September 17, 1977. On that day, she was slated to sing two songs but was informed shortly before her performance that those plans had changed. She recalls:
“They came up to me and said, ‘Reba we’re gonna have to take one of your songs.'”
When she asked why, the organizers responded:
“Because Dolly Parton just pulled into the parking lot and she’s gonna take one of your songs.”
“She can have both of them,” joked Reba. “Can I meet her?”
She described seeing Dolly walk in wearing a “beautiful chiffon outfit” with rhinestone butterflies and “beautiful hair.” She thought to herself:
“Now that’s what an angel looks like right there. Most beautiful woman I ever saw in my life.”
Reba was still able to sing one song that evening, which began a decades-long relationship with the Opry. Hear Reba tell the story in the video below!
