Dolly Parton Says Joining Rock Hall Would Be Like ‘Putting AC/DC in the Country Music Hall of Fame’

Ed Sheeran has led celebrity tributes to The Wanted star Tom Parker, who has died of brain cancer aged 33. On Wednesday (30 March), Parker’s death was announced by his wife Kelsey.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorSpotify, which suspended its paid subscription service in Russia earlier this month due to that country’s unprovoked and bloody invasion of Ukraine, has announced it will “fully suspend our service in Russia,” apparently indefinitely. It joins dozens of other music companies that have ceased operations in the country.“Spotify has continued to believe that it’s critically important to try to keep our service operational in Russia to provide trusted, independent news and information in the region.

Dolly Parton is notoriously private when it comes to her personal life but over the years has given insights into the secret behind her decades-long marriage.MORE: Dolly Parton and Kelsea Ballerini's fans all notice the same things from their ACM performanceThe country superstar has been married to Carl Dean since 1966 and recently put one of the many reasons it's a success down to their star signs."We are good friends, we respect each other. We like each other.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorThe global recorded music market grew by 18.5% in 2021, driven by growth in paid subscription streaming, according to IFPI (International Federation of the Phonographic Industry), the organization that represents the recorded music industry worldwide. Figures released Tuesday in IFPI’s Global Music Report show total revenues for 2021 were $25.9 billion.While the free version of the report does not attach numbers to all of the rankings, they’re pretty fascinating anyway:The top 10 global artists, based on “consumption across all formats and all countries, weighted based on the value of each method of consumption,” are:The top 10 global digital singles were: The top 10 all-format albums were:And, for good measure, the top-selling vinyl titles across the world were:Digging into the data, the report notes that paid subscription streaming revenues increased by 21.9% to $12.3 billion, with 523 million users of paid subscription accounts at the end of 2021.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorOne might think that, just weeks after his company scraped through the biggest crisis of its existence — its stubborn defense of giving a gigantic international platform, not to mention more than $200 million, to Joe Rogan and his destructive, malignant opinions — Spotify’s Daniel Ek might exercise a little caution and humility.One might think that, after paying millions to Capitol Hill lobbyists in an ongoing battle to pay less to songwriters — the very foundation of his company’s existence — than the Copyright Royalty Board decreed it should pay, he wouldn’t spend even more millions on something as flashy and business-uncritical as sponsorship of a soccer team, especially with Russian bombs killing hundreds of Ukrainian civilians every day. But one would be wrong.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorAs Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine continues and more music companies have ceased doing business with the country, many in the songwriting, music-publishing and especially the performing-rights communities have looked to CISAC, the global confederation of authors societies such as ASCAP and PRS, to make a unilateral decision.However, on Monday, the organization announced that although it “deplores and condemns the war waged by the Russian government against the Ukrainian population,” it will leave such decisions to individual societies, although it continues to develop a relief fund for Ukraine, first announced on Wednesday.“While abhorring the actions of the Russian armed forces, CISAC is not empowered to impose sanctions on member societies based only on the actions of their government,” the statement says in part. “Russian authors, just as their counterparts elsewhere, cannot be blamed for the grotesque actions of their government.” “CISAC’s global network of authors societies deplores and condemns the war waged by the Russian government against the Ukrainian population,” the statement reads.

Dolly Parton left ripples in the music world when she took to social media with a heartfelt statement announcing she was bowing out of contention for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.MORE: Dolly Parton makes urgent plea to help Ukraine in post ACM Awards interviewThe singer was one of the many musicians nominated this year to be inducted into the gilded halls of musical legends but revealed she didn't feel she was worthy of the accomplishment.WATCH: Dolly Parton looks angelic in white dress as she reveals exciting news in rare videoIn a rare personal statement, Dolly wrote: "Dolly here! Even though I am extremely flattered and grateful to be nominated for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, I don't feel that I have earned that right."I really do not want votes to be split because of me, so I must respectfully bow out," she continued.MORE: Dolly Parton and Kelsea Ballerini perform at the ACM Awards but fans all notice the same thingMORE: Exclusive: ACM Awards winner Carly Pearce pays heartfelt tribute to 'inspirational' Dolly PartonThe announcement took many of her fans by surprise, but they had nothing but love for the country star, including fellow musician Deborah Cox, who simply said: "Classy. Leader.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorThe Rolling Stones have announced dates for their 60th anniversary tour, their second jaunt since the death of founding drummer Charlie Watts last August. The European summer tour will take in fourteen shows in ten countries across the contintent and will present the premiere of “a brand new ‘Sixty’ production,” starting in Madrid on June 1.The announcement notes that the group will be playing its first concert in Liverpool in more than 50 years, followed by two shows in London’s Hyde Park.

Video: Critics' Choice Awards (The Independent)Emotional video of Ryan Coogler meeting a young Black Panther fan shows why representation matters in moviesDisney releases first trailer for Obi-Wan KenobiJohnny Rotten unmasked as Jester on The Masked Singer USPatti Smith praises Greta Thunberg and the new generation's fight to force changeCarrie Underwood on 1DGrammys 2019: Dolly Parton and Miley Cyrus sing 'Jolene' duetMorgan Wallen issues lengthy apology after racial slur incidentLGBTQ+ Florida senator makes tearful plea against 'Don't Say Gay' billJackie Weaver 'felt manipulated' during infamous parish council Zoom meetingEastenders viewers point out hilarious moment when Ruby Allens legs 'disappear'The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2 - Final TrailerBill Murray and Dan Aykroyd in original Ghostbusters promoDua Lipa celebrates International Women's Day with schoolgirls at museumRocketman - Trailer11-year-old Ukrainian refugee traveled alone 1000km to Slovakia to get to safetyMinisters questioned on net zero targets and climate summitsThe separate category of best British film comprises “After Love,” “Ali & Ava,” “Belfast,” “Boiling Point,” “Cyrano,” “Everybody’s Talking About Jamie,” “House of Gucci,” “Last Night in Soho,” “No Time to Die” and “Passing. ”The contenders for best actor are Cumberbatch, Adeel Akhtar for “Ali & Ava,” Mahershala Ali for “Swan Song,” Stephen Graham for “Boiling Point,” Leonardo DiCaprio for “Don’t Look Up” and Will Smith for “King Richard”Leading actress nominees are Lady Gaga for “House of Gucci,” Alana Haim for “Licorice Pizza,” Emilia Jones for “Coda,” Renate Reinsve for “The Worst Person in The World,” Joanna Scanlan for “After Love” and Tessa Thompson for “Passing.

John Travolta has been announced as one of the celebrities who will be presenting awards at the Oscars – and everyone is making the same joke. Eight years ago, Travolta spectacularly mispronounced Idina Menzel’s name at the Oscars, ahead of her performance of the song “Let it Go” from Frozen.

The Masked Singer, welcomes back four judges along with new guest appearances. The Masked Singer judgesHosted by Nick Cannon, the show’s new season premiered on 9 March at 8pm ET on Fox, returning with its regular panel of judges.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorIn what is rapidly becoming a mass music exodus out of Russia, Kobalt became the third major company to announce on Thursday that it is suspending business activity in Russia due to the country’s invasion of Ukraine. Of the three global major labels, Sony and Warner announced their pullout within an hour of each other on Thursday morning, and Universal made the move on Tuesday.Kobalt’s move is doubly significant because although it is a global company, Kobalt was founded in London by Swedish-born Willard Ahdritz and in many ways is a European company.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorSony Music has suspended all of its operations in Russia, the company has confirmed to Variety. “Sony Music Group calls for peace in Ukraine and an end to the violence. We have suspended operations in Russia and will continue our support of global humanitarian relief efforts to aid victims in need.,” the company said in a statement.Sources tells Variety that the company’s staffers will continue to receive their salaries for an undetermined time; the artists’ situation is still being worked out.Universal Music Group announced that it is suspending its operations in the country on Tuesday.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorWhile businesses across the globe have been pulling out of Russia, many have wondered why the music industry largely has not been following suit. While sanctions have severely hampered Russia’s global business and the music industry is a very small part of that business, the optics on continuing to work in the country are not good.CISAC, the global confederation of authors societies such as ASCAP and PRS, has launched a new support fund dedicated to helping the victims of the war in Ukraine, although it stopped short of suspending operations with Russia, as Universal Music Group and many other companies have.

Dolly Parton may have dazzled as host of the recent ACM Awards but there was something weighing heavily on her mind which she's since opened up about. On the night of the country music ceremony, Dolly took a moment to think about the people of Ukraine and send prayers to the citizens of the war-stricken country. MORE: Inside Dolly Parton's 56 year marriage to husband she met when she was 18During a virtual appearance on the UK's The One Show, Dolly explained why she felt she had to cast light on it and shift the focus to a more serious one. WATCH: Dolly Parton makes heartfelt confession about hosting ACM Awards "Well," she said. "I felt that it was not only important but urgent to do it because there's so much grief and so much sorrow.

Dolly Parton couldn’t stay silent.

Elton John is marking International Women’s Day by promoting an important new organization to his 3.9 million Instagram followers.

David Beckham is doing what he can to support Ukraine.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorAs more and more companies have cut ties with Russia in the wake of the country’s invasion of Ukraine, many have wondered why more music companies have not done the same.Early Tuesday, the U.K.’s performing rights organization, PRS for Music, said it has formally and immediately suspended its rights representation relationship with RAO, the Russian collecting society for musical works, “pending confirmation of its separation from the Russian Government and those individuals and companies on the sanctions lists.“We are also working with CISAC to consider the ongoing membership of Russian societies in the global network. It is not our desire to punish the Russian composer, songwriter and publisher communities who support peace, and we will work with the global community to identify opportunities to amplify the voices of protest.