The Recording Academy®, in association with the U.S. Department of State, is proud to announce that iconic singer, global philanthropist, and 10-time GRAMMY® Award winner Dolly Parton has been named the 2024 recipient of the prestigious PEACE Through Music Award. This award recognizes American music industry professionals, artists, or groups that have made highly significant contributions to further cross-cultural exchanges and used their music to promote peace and mutual understanding around the world.
The GRAMMY Museum in Los Angeles will be hosting a celebration to recognize one of the most influential artists in the music industry and global philanthropist, Dolly Parton, this evening. The Recording Academy and Department of State will proudly host the event, graciously underwritten by Coke Studio and Wasserman Foundation. The event also promises to acknowledge the first class of the American Music Mentorship Program, which occurred from October 15th through the 25th.
A Global Icon of Peace and Philanthropy Dolly Parton’s lifetime career speaks volumes about peace, inclusion, understanding, and unity across generations and borders. While her massive success as an artist plays a big part, Parton’s relentless contribution to charitable causes carries just about equal recognition.
Her Imagination Library is a pioneering global initiative that promotes literacy by providing free books to children, and it covers areas as far away as Australia, well beyond its initial establishment in Appalachia. Complementing her education-based philanthropy, Parton has also played a crucial role in supporting public health during the COVID-19 pandemic, notably contributing to vaccine research that has benefited millions of people around the world.
In a statement accepting the honor, Parton said, in part, “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. 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.”
A Partnership for Global Music Diplomacy
This award is the result of a larger effort to use music as a force for global diplomacy. Dolly Parton represents the best of America excellence in music, her servant’s heart to give back to those in need, and her unique ability to always bring people together,” said Lee Satterfield, Acting Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs. On behalf of the American people and Secretary of State Blinken, it’s an honor to celebrate all of her contributions with the PEACE Through Music Award in partnership with the Recording Academy.
Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of the Recording Academy, underlined how much this award led to world betterment: “Throughout her career, Dolly Parton has been dedicated to adding depth and dimension to communities around the globe, and it’s an honor to recognize her commitment to service with the PEACE Through Music Award today. We are still grateful for the opportunity to work with the Department of State on the Global Music Diplomacy Initiative, a very critical part of the Academy’s work in and support around the world in music.
It is by nature an award decided through a nomination process involving U.S. embassies around the world. A selection committee-a group of representatives from the Recording Academy, the State Department, music industry professionals, and academia- reviews the nominees. Final approval then comes from the Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs.
Promoting Peace Through Music
The PEACE Through Music Award is the signature element of the Global Music Diplomacy Initiative, a 2023 program introduced by the Recording Academy and the Department of State that uses music as a tool to foster peace, economic equity, creative economies, and education globally. This was courtesy of the PEACE Through Music Diplomacy Act, passed in December 2022 after championing by the Recording Academy during the annual GRAMMYs on the Hill® and Music Advocacy Day events.
This honor finds Dolly Parton on stage, continuing not only her legacy in groundbreaking music but further cementing her role as an ambassador to the world in peace, unity, and compassion. Parton’s work both on and outside of the stage has made her a beacon of hope and goodwill to inspire future generations to use their platform to push harmony across cultures.
Watch Parton’s award acceptance video below.
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