Dolly Parton reveals she's open to selling her back catalogue

Dolly Parton has said 'never say never' to selling the rights to her music back catalogue.

The 76-year-old country music legend candidly told the BBC during a recent interview: 'I would not be above doing that.'

She explained: 'All I would do then is to take that money and do whatever for my family or other businesses.' 

What if?: Dolly Parton has said 'never say never' to selling the rights to her music back catalogue; she is pictured Monday at the Academy Of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas

The Jolene hitmaker - who already owns her own publishing company - has considered following in the footsteps of a number of big-name stars. 

Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen and Neil Diamond have recently cashed in by selling their back catalogues for mega-money.

Dolly said that if she sold her back catalog, after taking care of her family and businesses, 'Then I would start a whole new publishing company, start over in a few years, sell that too if I wanted to.'

The Jolene hitmaker added: 'Never say never, as they say.'

As seen in 1986: Early in her career Dolly famously declined to let Elvis Presley cover her song I Will Always Love You because she would have to relinquish the rights to him

Early in her career Dolly famously declined to let Elvis Presley cover her song I Will Always Love You because she would have to relinquish the rights to him.

Retaining the rights turned out to be a fortuitous move for Dolly, as decades later the song became a global smash in the hands of Whitney Houston.

In January, Dylan sold his entire catalogue of recorded music to Sony in a deal thought to be worth around $200 million.

The agreement included all of the legendary musician's work since 1962, starting with his self-titled debut album, and up to 2020's Rough and Rowdy Ways.

Backdrop: In January, Bob Dylan sold his entire catalogue of recorded music to Sony in a deal thought to be worth around $200 million; pictured in 2021

The 80-year-old has sold more than 125 million records worldwide and is best-known for hits Mr. Tambourine Man, Like A Rolling Stone and Make You Feel My Love.

He commented: 'Columbia Records and Rob Stringer have been nothing but good to me for many, many years and a whole lot of records.

'I'm glad that all my recordings can stay where they belong.'

Heartthrob: The sale followed Bruce Springsteen, 72, selling his catalogue to Sony in December, for an estimated $500 million; he is pictured onstage in 2018

While Sony did not confirm the financial details, Billboard estimated Dylan's master recordings are now worth $200 million or more.

The sale followed Springsteen, 72, selling his catalogue to Sony in December, for an estimated $500 million.

Meanwhile, Warner Chappell Music purchased the publishing rights to David Bowie's 'entire body of work' from the late star's estate for more than $250 million last year.