Dolly, Merle, Little Jimmy: Hall of Famers Make News

Dolly Parton photo courtesy of Dolly Records.

Jan. 22, 2009 — A bundle of Country Music Hall of Famers are in the headlines as Dolly Parton and Vince Gill launch special live performances, while Merle Haggard and Little Jimmy Dickens both make progress after major surgeries.

Developments of note among Hall of Famers include:

• Dolly Parton leads a star-studded benefit at Nashville’s Wildhorse Saloon on Groundhog Day, according to WKRN-TV. She’ll appear with Kellie Pickler, Ronnie Dunn and Keith Anderson — as well as a makeshift act that features assorted members of ‘80s rock bands such as Nelson, Night Ranger and Survivor — to raise money for the W.O. Smith Nashville Community School. But that’s not all that’s new for Dolly: She and Paul McCartney join voices with singer-songwriter Cat Stevens — now known as Yusuf Islam — on a song called "Boots & Sand" that appears on his forthcoming album, Billboard reports.

• One week after he underwent surgery to remove blood that accumulated on his brain, Little Jimmy Dickens was transferred from the hospital to a rehabilitation center, the Associated Press reports. The family is hopeful he’ll be able to return home in short order.

• Vince Gill has a handful of cool dates on tap in Nashville during February. He’ll perform as an artist in residence at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Feb. 3, Feb. 17 and Feb. 24 — those shows typically feature a fistful of major surprise guests. He’s also taking part in a benefit Feb. 5 for Nashville bass player Chris Kent, who suffers from Multiple Myeloma, a form of cancer found in plasma cells. Also participating in the fundraiser are Lorrie Morgan, Tracy Lawrence and Joe Diffie.

• Merle Haggard continues to rebound after November surgery for lung cancer. He’s begun riding a stationary bike and believes he’s extended his life. "I lost the upper lobe of my right lung where there was a tumor suspended like a fruit on a tree," he told People. "There was no chemo, and I got real lucky."

• Plans are in the works for a tribute album to late bluegrass pioneer Bill Monroe, according to BBC News. Among the acts expected to participate are Alison Krauss, the Dixie Chicks and rocker Dave Matthews.