Parton, 75, surprised Pearce with the news last week while she was filming what she thought was a promo video for Dollywood.
“Dolly is not only one of America’s greatest living songwriters, vocalists, entertainers and superstars,” the Kentucky native raved.
“We’ve loved every minute of watching her star grow over the past few years and are thankful she reveres the Opry after more than 80 appearances even more than she did on her first night with us,” he said.