Grand Ole Opry to celebrate Dolly Parton's 77th birthday with special Ryman shows

The Grand Ole Opry continues its residency run of special programming at the Ryman Auditorium with two Jan. 21 shows honoring Opry member Dolly Parton's 77th birthday.

The Country Music Hall of Famer, whose birthday is Jan. 19, will not be present at the venue.

Scheduled performers for the Jan. 21 shows include Chapel Hart, the Fairfield Four, Caitlyn Smith, Marty Stuart, and Chris Young. In addition, $5 from every ticket will be donated to the Opry Trust Fund in Parton's honor. For more than 50 years, the fund has assisted country music community members in need.

Tickets are available at www.opry.com/full-calendar.

"We love an Opry party and everyone around the world loves Dolly," said Opry Executive Producer Dan Rogers. "Though Dolly herself can't be with us this year due to her feature film schedule, I think we can all agree Dolly deserves to be celebrated this year and ever year. We're going to have some fun Dolly additions to the great schedule of shows lined up for our January run downtown at the Ryman."

Alongside the live performances, the Opry has announced other celebrations for Parton's birthday week, including:

• 77 Hours of Dolly giveaways on Opry social media.
• Birthday cupcakes baked using Duncan Hines Dolly Parton's Favorite Southern-Style Cake Mix given to Opry House and Ryman tour guests on Jan. 19 while supplies last.
• A larger-than-life birthday card for fans to sign at the Ryman from Jan. 19-21.
• A Dolly impersonator on Ryman Plaza for photo opportunities during the Jan. 21 "Opry at the Ryman" shows.
• Signature Dolly drinks at all Ryman bars during the Jan. 21 shows.

Parton made her Opry debut in 1959 at age 13, singing songs that included George Jones' 1956 hit "You Gotta Be My Baby." She garnered three standing ovations after being introduced by Johnny Cash and playing alongside her uncle Bill Owens, who accompanied her on guitar.

“As I heard the band play my introduction," she recalled, "I lifted my head and looked up toward the lights. I smiled at the people in the balcony and then let ‘er rip.”

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A decade later, on Jan. 4, 1969, Parton was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry.

"It was always my dream to be on the Opry," she once stated. "They call it the 'Mother Church' because the old Ryman was a church, but it's sacred to me, wherever it goes — the church of my heart. For me, the Opry is like the song 'New York, New York' — if you can make it there, you can make it anywhere."

For more information on the Grand Ole Opry, visit www.opry.com.