Dolly Parton takes a break from music after losing husband Carl Dean

In the United States, country music icon Dolly Parton is currently on a hiatus from songwriting as she copes with the loss of her husband, Carl Dean, who passed away in March 2025 at the age of 82. Parton has openly discussed the emotional toll that this tragedy has taken on her creative process, stating that her husband’s passing is too fresh for her to dive back into songwriting right now. Since Dean's death, Parton has conveyed her grief during a candid conversation with Khloé Kardashian on the podcast 'Khloé in Wonder Land.' She expressed that while she is generating beautiful ideas, the emotional strain of writing feels overwhelming at this time. Parton mentioned, “Several things I’ve wanted to start, but I can’t do it,” underscoring her current emotional state. Despite this temporary pause in her musical endeavors, Parton reassured her fans that her artistic journey is not over. She pointed out that there are many creative projects she wishes to pursue once she finds the strength to engage with them again. Parton further explained that she feels a deep connection to her craft, which often begins with a narrative or inspiration from her life experiences. Hence, putting her songwriting on hold feels like a necessary choice to navigate her mourning process. While she has stepped back from creating new music, Parton announced a forthcoming residency at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, scheduled for December 2025. This will be her first performance in Las Vegas in 32 years, showing that her relationship with music and performance continues, albeit with a shift in focus at this time. Parton remains grateful for the outpouring of support from fans and friends during this challenging period of her life.