Dolly Parton Named As 2024 Peace Through Music Award Recipient

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Dolly Parton

Dolly Parton has been named as this year’s Peace Through Music Award recipient by the Recording Academy and U.S. Department of State, and will be recognized tonight (Oct. 25) during an event at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles.

The accolade honors an American music industry professional, artist or group who has played an invaluable role in cross-cultural exchanges and whose music work advances peace and mutual understanding globally. The recipient is determined through a nomination process, with U.S. embassies from around the world submitting nominations to be considered by a selection committee represented by Recording Academy members, U.S. Department of State leadership, music industry professionals and academia. The recommended honorees are approved by the Recording Academy CEO, then presented to the Assistant Secretary of State for Educational & Cultural Affairs, who makes the final decision.

While her selection as this year’s honoree is based on her music and public persona, Parton has shown immense dedication to serving others through many initiatives, including her Imagination Library, which provides under served children from the hills of Appalachia to the outback of Australia the opportunity to learn through reading, and through her support of public health, most recently around the COVID-19 vaccine, which reached millions of Americans as well as people worldwide.

“Over the course of her career, Dolly Parton has been committed to enriching communities across the globe, and it’s a privilege to celebrate her dedication to service with the Peace Through Music Award today,” says Harvey Mason Jr., Recording Academy CEO. “We are grateful to partner with the Department of State on the Global Music Diplomacy Initiative, which represents an important part of the Academy’s work to support music people across the globe.”

“Dolly Parton represents the best of America—her excellence in music, her servant’s heart in giving back to those in need and her unique ability to always bring people together,” states Lee Satterfield, Acting Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy & Public Affairs. “On behalf of the American people and Secretary of State [Antony] Blinken, we are honored to celebrate all of her contributions to people around the world with the Peace Through Music Award in partnership with the Recording Academy.”

“To say that I was honored to accept the Peace Through Music Award from the Recording Academy and the U.S. State Department would be putting it mildly,” Parton shares. “I was very touched and moved by that. If I have been an inspiration in any way through some act of kindness or through some music that I have written, well, that makes me feel like I have done my job properly. Thanks again for such a great honor.”

Her acceptance video is available below.

YouTube video
Liza Anderson
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