Dolly Parton to celebrate 50 years at Grand Ole Opry

Nov. 30 (UPI) -- Dolly Parton will celebrate her 50th anniversary as a Grand Ole Opry member in 2019.

The country music institution announced Thursday it will honor the 72-year-old singer with a weeklong celebration in October.

The Grand Ole Opry will host a three-night tribute to Parton as part of "Dolly Week." The first night will feature performances of her No. 1 hits, while the second will focus on her bluegrass, Americana and roots music.

Dolly Week will culminate with Parton performing two shows Oct. 12 at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tenn.

"It was always my dream to be on the @opry and I can't believe next year I'll celebrate 50 proud years of being a member!" Parton tweeted. "I'm excited to come back home for two shows on October 12, 2019, to celebrate!"

Parton became a member of the Grand Ole Opry in January 1969 following the release of her album Just Because I'm a Woman and the album Just the Two of Us with Porter Wagoner.

"I'm kind of like the goodwill ambassador of country music now. It's great to come back to the Opry and host and see what's going on," Parton said of the long-running show on her Grand Ole Opry page.

Parton released new music Friday -- the soundtrack for Dumplin', a new Netflix movie starring Danielle Macdonald and Jennifer Aniston. The film debuts Dec. 7.