Dolly Parton’s remarkable career is about to add another accolade.

The U.S. State Department, along with the Recording Academy, has declared that Parton, a distinguished member of the Country Music and Rock and Roll Halls of Fame, is the 2024 recipient of the PEACE Through Music Award.

According to a press release, this award honors “an American music professional, artist, or group that has made significant contributions to cultural exchanges and works towards promoting peace and understanding globally.”

Dolly exemplifies ‘the best of America’

Lee Satterfield, the Acting Under Secretary of State, expressed in an exclusive interview with The Tennessean that Parton embodies “the best of America” as a musician, community leader, and philanthropist.

“Dolly’s genuineness is a benchmark for what Americans aspire to be,” Satterfield stated.

“For generations, Dolly Parton has represented true inclusion, unity, and service to humanity, making her the perfect symbol for the spirit of the PEACE Through Music Award,” added Harvey Mason jr., CEO of the Recording Academy.

“We all desire peace,” Parton remarked in a video addressing the award. “For many around the globe, it remains a distant hope. Yet everyone deserves it.”

Parton succeeds artist, composer, and producer Quincy Jones as a recipient of the PEACE Through Music Award. After a selection process where American embassies worldwide nominated ideal candidates, a “blue-ribbon panel of experts” formed by the Recording Academy narrowed it down before the final decision was made by Mason and the Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs.

The State Department highlighted Parton’s Imagination Library, which spans from “the hills of Appalachia to the outback of Australia,” helping underserved children access reading materials, alongside her support in funding the development of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine. Officials stated that she has leveraged her platform to advocate for peace and understanding.

The PEACE Through Music Act

Satterfield views the bipartisan PEACE Through Music Act as an initiative to enhance the U.S. Government’s diplomatic efforts through music.

The law, passed in 2022, grants the State Department authority to partner with private organizations to create and implement music exchange programs.

This approach, known as The Global Music Ambassador program, recalls the Cold War era when the U.S. dispatched artists like Louis Armstrong and Sarah Vaughn overseas to act as cultural diplomats through the Jazz Ambassadors program.

“Utilizing artist-led private partnerships to amplify American music’s role in fostering peace and understanding globally enables artists to help communities overcome barriers and build mutual respect,” Satterfield explained.

In June, U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and Lyor Cohen, YouTube’s Global Head of Music, introduced a group of artists, including Chuck D, Grace Bowers, BRELAND, Kane Brown, Herbie Hancock, Denyce Graves, Jelly Roll, Teddy Swims, Justin Tranter, Armani White, and Lainey Wilson, who will serve as U.S. Global Music Ambassadors.

Artist-ambassadors making a global difference

Satterfield noted that each artist chosen as an ambassador has distinct expectations regarding their role.

During Jelly Roll’s Canadian tour premiere in Ottawa in July, he visited the Royal Canadian Mental Health Centre, engaging with clients and individuals facing challenges within Ottawa’s criminal justice system related to substance use.

Meanwhile, Teddy Swims, during his tour in Christchurch, New Zealand, visited a local high school to address mental health issues. Upcoming, artist Grace Bowers will begin her involvement with the program during her tour dates in Japan. Justin Tranter is also keen on providing opportunities for teaching and training to connect with young musicians.

According to Satterfield, when artists volunteer to be Global Music Ambassadors, they enable exceptional storytellers to connect with audiences through relatable narratives. This helps to foster those vital ‘people-to-people’ diplomatic ties by highlighting shared experiences.

This article has been updated to include new details.