Dolly Parton Hailed as 'fearless' by Keith Urban at 2026 Nashville ceremony

Keith Urban has praised Dolly Parton as a “fearless” and “one-of-a-kind” force in music, crediting the country legend with inspiring generations of artists through her creative independence and enduring legacy.

Speaking to People on the red carpet at the 2026 Musicians Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Nashville, the four-time Grammy winner reflected on being honored alongside Parton and other music industry icons.

“She’s just fearless and a trailblazer and such a one-of-one,” Urban, 58, said of Parton, 80. “She reminds every artist that it’s about expression, following your creative path, and not letting anything stand in your way.”

Urban added that Parton’s career represents a rare kind of artistic courage. “I never think of her as pushing the envelope,” he said. “I think of her as never letting anything get in the way of the envelope.”

The pair share a long professional history, with Urban previously recalling that he grew up in Australia singing Parton’s songs as a child.

He has also performed alongside the country icon on multiple occasions over the years.

“I come from a working-class background, and the first time I met Dolly was surreal,” Urban previously shared in a past interview, noting how deeply her music shaped his early life.

Parton, in turn, has also spoken warmly about Urban. In a previous interview, she described him as “one of the most talented and cutest guys in the world,” adding that she had long admired his artistry.

Although Parton did not attend the Nashville ceremony in person, she appeared via video message, expressing gratitude for her induction into the Musicians Hall of Fame.

“My songwriting is more important to me than anything,” she said. “I am thankful to all the incredible musicians I’ve worked with and to the fans who have supported me all these years.”

She closed her message with a nod to her lifelong connection to music: “So I’ll keep a-pickin’, and you keep a-listenin’.”