Tennessee Governor Declares Jan. 19 ‘Dolly Parton Day’

Dolly Parton Day will officially be observed on Jan. 19 in the state of Tennessee, Gov. Bill Lee has announced.

Gov. Lee proclaimed the tribute to Dolly Parton — honoring “her lifetime of achievement, service, and positive impact” — in coordination with the country music legend’s 80th birthday, which falls on Monday, Jan. 19.

“Dolly Parton, born on January 19, 1946, in Sevier Country, is a native Tennessean whose extraordinary life and career have brought pride to the State of Tennessee,” reads the state leader’s official notice of Dolly Parton Day, published by the Tennessee Department of State.Gov. Lee’s proclamation highlights the star’s accomplishments, both professional and philanthropic, and how she’s affected the lives of Tennesseans.

“Dolly Parton is an acclaimed singer, songwriter, musician, actress, producer, and entrepreneur whose body of work embodies the spirit of Tennessee; and throughout her remarkable career, Dolly Parton has earned numerous awards and accolades and is widely regarded as one of the most influential and beloved artists in the history of American music; and in addition to her artistic accomplishments, Dolly Parton has demonstrated an enduring commitment to philanthropy and service, most notably through the Dollywood Foundation and the Imagination Library, which began in Tennessee and has provided hundreds of millions of free books to children around the world, helping to promote early childhood literacy and educational opportunity; and Dolly Patton’s generosity, humility, and dedication to improving the lives of others exemplify the values of the Volunteer State and serve as an inspiration to Tennesseans and people worldwide,” the proclamation says.

The proclamation issued through the Tennessee Department of State can be read in full here.

Jan. 19, 2026 marks a milestone birthday for Parton, the legendary singer-songwriter and performer whose 25 No. 1s on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart have spanned a career across four decades (and counting).

Parton’s latest musical release is a new rendition of her 1977 hit “Light of a Clear Blue Morning,” featuring colleagues/collaborators Lainey Wilson, Reba McEntire, Queen Latifah and Miley Cyrus. Net proceeds from the song benefit the pediatric cancer research program at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt in Nashville.

This article was first published by Billboard U.S.