“Can You Believe That?”: Dolly Parton Shocked by Her Placement on Billboard’s Greatest Country Artists List, Breaks Out Into Song

When discussing the 100 Greatest Country Artists of All Time, Billboard editorial staff examined a list of nearly 200 names. Looking over the last 100 years of music, the staff narrowed the list down using factors like career, longevity, and ongoing influence. Narrowing the list down to just 100 artists, Billboard found that when it came to country music, there was no name higher than Dolly Parton. Fashioning a career that went far beyond country music, the singer recently shared her surprise when she learned she sat No. 1 of Billboard’s 100 Greatest Country Artists of All Time. 

While still producing music and entertaining fans all over the world, Dolly took a moment to celebrate her recent achievement. Beating out 200 other artists to land the No. 1 spot, the country icon decided to share a video on Instagram. She said, “I just learned that Billboard Magazine just released their list of greatest country artists of all time, and they have my name sitting at the top! Can you believe that?”

Going back to her childhood, Dolly recalled listening to country music stars like Hank Williams.  “Now, when I was a little girl, I would sit around the radio and listen to the Grand Ole Opry and hearing all those great big stars like Hank Williams and Kitty Wells and Johnny Cash, I dreamed about what my life could actually become as well.”

[RELATED: How Dolly Parton’s Grandfather Was First “Streamer” Decades Before Advent of Internet]

Dolly Parton Thanks Fans For Allowing Her Dreams To Come True

With Dolly deciding to end her video by singing “I Will Always Love You”, the star took one last moment to thank Billboard and her fans for their continued support over the decades. “Thank you for giving me the opportunity to take my music all around the world and to see all my dreams come true.”

Adding their own thoughts, fans gushed over Dolly’s latest achievement, filling the comment section with praise. “We all can believe that because you deserve to be at the top. You are a legend and the queen of every Country.” Another person added, “Yes, she’s so sweet, so humble. So of course a voice like an angel such talent, such great humor awesome intelligence wonderful, amazing businesswoman. She is an icon most definitely, and she most certainly deserves to be on top of the charts as female entertainer, bar-none!”

(Photo by Jon Morgan/CBS via Getty Images)