Dolly Parton Celebrates 50 Years At The Grand Ole Opry

Last night (10/12) was a big one for Dolly Parton who performed at the Grand Ole Opry after a week-long celebration of her life and career with the Opry. Last night's show featured performances from Toby Keith, Dierks Bentley, Lady Antebellum and of course Dolly herself.

Dolly said at the press conference before she took the stage, "A lot of people think this is my 50th year at the Grand Ole Opry, it's actually been 60 because the first time I got to sing on the Opry I was 13 years old. Actually, Johnny Cash introduced me and Jimmie C. Newman had given me his spot."

She continued, "My uncle Bill Owens and I used to drive from East Tennessee all the time get a loaf of bread, pack up some canned stuff you know, pork and beans and we'd come down to Nashville back and forth in an old beat up car, sleep in the back seat, go to the Grand Ole Opry, wait backstage and that was always my dream. My daddy loved the Grand Ole Opry so we had to listen to it back home and me dreaming of being on it and I just remember that being special."

The Opry posted to Instagram last evening, "You. This anniversary. This show. This night. @DollyParton, you are perfect! #DollyOpry50 ‬."

Carrie Underwood also posted to Instagram last night, "Dolly! Sending love and well wishes to you tonight! Thank you for Dolly-fying the @Opry for the past 50 years!  We are all better for it."

NBC will air a special of Dolly's 50th Opry Anniversary show in November.