f.DOLLY PARTON ANNOUNCES 2026 “ONE LAST RIDE” TOUR — A FAREWELL FIT FOR THE QUEEN OF COUNTRY.f
A LEGEND’S FINAL JOURNEY
For more than six decades, Dolly Parton has been more than a voice on the radio — she’s been a beacon of hope, humor, and humanity. Now, at 80, the Queen of Country is preparing to take her final bow.
In an emotional announcement from her Nashville studio, Dolly revealed plans for the “One Last Ride” Tour, set to launch in early 2026. Billed as “a farewell journey from the Queen of Country,” the tour will be her last full-scale concert series, spanning major cities across the United States and a few select international stops.
“I’ve had one wild, beautiful ride,” she said with a smile. “And I want this last one to be a celebration — not just of my life, but of all the lives my music has touched.”
A CELEBRATION, NOT A GOODBYE
In true Dolly fashion, the announcement was as joyful as it was emotional. Dressed in a shimmering gold jacket and surrounded by photos from her early career, she laughed and told reporters, “Don’t you go thinking I’m retiring from everything — I’m just retiring from the road. A girl can only pack so many wigs!”
But beneath the humor was a heartfelt reflection. Dolly acknowledged the bittersweet reality of saying farewell to the stage that has defined so much of her life. “The stage has been my second home,” she said. “It’s where I met the people who gave me my dreams — the fans. This last ride is for them.”
Her statement drew immediate comparisons to country icons like George Strait and Kenny Rogers, who each ended their touring careers with emotional farewell runs. Yet for Dolly, the focus isn’t on endings — it’s on gratitude.
“This isn’t about closing a chapter,” she said. “It’s about celebrating the story.”
A SETLIST THROUGH THE AGES
The “One Last Ride” Tour promises to be a time capsule of Dolly’s remarkable career — a journey through the songs that made her one of the most beloved figures in American music.
From the aching tenderness of “I Will Always Love You” to the resilience of “Coat of Many Colors”, from the fiery independence of “9 to 5” to the haunting beauty of “Jolene,” every performance will be crafted as both a concert and a storytelling experience.
Her team has confirmed that each show will include video tributes, personal stories, and even unreleased footage from her early years at the Grand Ole Opry. “Fans won’t just hear the music,” said her longtime producer Steve Summers. “They’ll live her journey — from a little girl in the Smoky Mountains to a global icon.”
Parton herself teased that she plans to mix “the old favorites with a few surprises.” “There are songs I’ve never performed live before,” she said. “I figure it’s time to let them shine, too.”
THE WOMAN BEHIND THE LEGEND
Dolly Parton’s story remains one of the most extraordinary in entertainment history. Born in 1946 in a one-room cabin in Locust Ridge, Tennessee, she grew up poor but surrounded by music and faith. At ten, she was performing on local radio; at thirteen, she made her Grand Ole Opry debut.
By the time she released “Jolene” in 1973, she had already become a voice of determination and grace — a woman who built her empire without ever losing her roots. Her career spans over 100 million records sold, 11 Grammy Awards, 25 No. 1 hits, and countless philanthropic milestones, from her Imagination Library literacy foundation to her donations to children’s hospitals and disaster relief efforts.
“She’s the heart of country music,” said fellow artist Reba McEntire. “But more than that, she’s the heart of America. She never forgot who she is, and she never let success change that.”
Even as she prepares for her farewell tour, Dolly insists she’s far from finished. “I’ll still be writing songs,” she said. “I’ll still be telling stories. I just won’t be living out of a suitcase anymore.”
A GOODBYE WRAPPED IN GRATITUDE
The “One Last Ride” Tour will begin in March 2026 in Dallas, Texas — a city with deep ties to Dolly’s early touring days — before heading through major markets including Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, and New York. The final show will take place in Nashville, where her journey began.
Each stop will partner with local charities, reflecting Dolly’s lifelong commitment to giving back. A portion of every ticket sold will support organizations focused on literacy, homelessness, and children’s education. “If I’m going to say goodbye,” she said, “I want to make sure the good keeps rolling.”
Fans can also expect intimate storytelling moments — reflections on life, love, and the lessons she’s learned along the way. “There’ll be laughter and there’ll be tears,” Dolly promised. “But mostly, there’ll be love.”
THE FINAL NOTE
As word of the tour spread, social media flooded with tributes. Celebrities, fans, and fellow musicians posted stories of how Dolly’s music — and her spirit — changed their lives. “She made us all believe in ourselves,” one fan wrote. “And she did it with rhinestones and grace.”
Dolly responded in her signature humble way. “If I’ve made somebody’s day a little brighter, then I’ve done my job. Music was never about fame for me — it was about connection.”
And perhaps that’s why this farewell tour feels less like a goodbye and more like a homecoming — one last chance for the world to gather around Dolly Parton’s music, her laughter, and her boundless light.
“I’ve always said I’ll never stop dreaming,” she said, smiling. “But now I get to do it from my front porch — with a guitar, a cup of coffee, and the people I love.”
THE LEGACY THAT NEVER ENDS
As 2026 approaches, one thing is clear: the “One Last Ride” Tour isn’t just an ending — it’s a reminder of what Dolly Parton has always stood for. Faith. Family. Resilience. Joy.
Family games
When the final curtain falls in Nashville next year, it won’t mark the end of her story. It will simply be another verse in a song that the world will keep singing for generations.
Because for Dolly Parton — and the millions who love her — the music never really stops. It just finds new ways to live on.
