Parton selected
for songwriting award

Dolly Parton has been selected by the Songwriters Hall of Fame as this year's recipient of the Johnny Mercer Award.

The award is presented to a songwriter ''whose body of work is of such high quality and impact that it upholds the gold standard set by the legendary Johnny Mercer,'' the organization said Tuesday in a statement.

Parton, 61, will be honored June 7 at the annual awards dinner in New York City.

Previous honorees include Kris Kristofferson, Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, Carole King, Billy Joel, Paul Simon, Hal David, and Burt Bacharach.

Hits by Parton include ''I Will Always Love You,'' ''Here You Come Again,'' and ''Why'd You Come in Here Lookin' Like That.''

She was inducted into the hall of fame in 2001. (AP)