Dolly Parton Surprises Carly Pearce with Invite to Join the Grand Ole Opry: 'This Takes the Cake!'

Carly Pearceis making country music history as the latest member of the Grand Ole Opry.The singer-songwriter, 31, received a surprise invitation from music legendDolly Partonto become an official member of the iconic music venue.Parton, 75, surprised Pearce with the news last week while she was filming what she thought was a promo video for Dollywood. Pearce collapsed into tears upon getting the information from her music idol.Dolly Parton and Carly Pearce.

Dolly Parton Talks Climate Change, Compares Mistreating Earth to 'Being Ugly to Your Mama'

Dolly Parton.Photo: Mark Seliger/ABC via Getty Dolly Partonwants you to know the importance of climate change awareness. The country icon recently spoke toNational Geographicfor an in-depth story about her native Tennessee’s Smoky Mountains, touching on the region’s colorful vegetation, wildlife, and the crucial nature of protecting it from the effects of climate change. “We should pay more attention,” said Parton, 76. “We’re just mistreating Mother Nature—that’s like being ugly to your mama… We need to take better care of the things that God gave us freely.

Dolly Parton Talks Giving Back and Being a Tough Boss: 'I Try to Rule with Love and Compassion'

The Queen of Country, an American icon, the most prolific songwriter of our time, the one thing we canallagree on these days… when it comes toDolly Parton, it’s all true. “I keep dreaming myself into a corner!” Parton tells PEOPLE with a laugh. “But I can’t stop now. I’ve learned you can’t just say, ‘Oh, my dream’s come true and I’m walking out of here.’ No, you’ve got to show you’re grateful and show that you’re not going to just leave it all in the hands of other people.

Dolly Parton Teams Up with 4 Non Blondes' Linda Perry for New Cover of Band's Signature Hit 'What's Up?'

Dolly PartonandLinda Perrywant to know what’s going on. On Friday, the two singer-songwriters teamed up for a new cover version of Perry’s band 4 Non Blonde’s signature 1993 hit"What’s Up?,“which will appear on Parton’s upcomingRockstaralbum. Dolly Parton and Linda Perry.Gareth Cattermole/Getty; Rich Fury/Getty Gareth Cattermole/Getty; Rich Fury/Getty Interspersed between shots of Parton, 77, and Perry in the clip is footage of children playing and enjoying life, and many kids join the two performers throughout the video, directing the song’s frustrated sentiment toward the youth’s future in an uncertain world.

Dolly Parton Teams Up with Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams on a New Limited Edition Flavor

Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images; Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream Dolly Partonhas been working 9 to 5 crafting a special new ice cream flavor. The country legend, 75, has already had a monumental year between winning a Grammy award andhelping fund the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. Parton is just getting started, though, and her latest endeavor is a sweet one. Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams announced the new flavor in partnership with Parton last month after teasing the collaboration on their social media.