CLEVELAND — In mid-March, Dolly Parton sent out a thoughtful note over social media, explaining why she felt she didn't deserve to be nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame class of 2022. 

But during an interview with NPR's Morning Edition Friday, Parton said she changed her mind. 

"It was always my belief that the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame was for the people in rock music, and I have found out lately that it's not necessarily that," Parton said during the interview. "But if they can't go there to be recognized, where do they go? So I just felt like I would be taking away from someone that maybe deserved it, certainly more than me, because I never considered myself a rock artist. But obviously, there's more to it than that."

Parton said if she gets inducted despite her objections, she would accept it "gracefully."

Initially, in the March social media post, Parton wrote in part, "I don't feel that I have earned that right. I really do not want votes to be split because of me, so I must respectfully bow out."

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame responded to her request to be removed from the nominations, saying the hall is open to various forms of music, not just rock. 

“From its inception, Rock & Roll has had deep roots in Rhythm & Blues and Country music,” the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation wrote. “It is not defined by any one genre, rather a sound that moves youth culture. Dolly Parton's music impacted a generation of young fans and influenced countless artists that followed."

With more than 5.3 million votes and counting, Parton ranked No. 5 in the fan vote with 390,954 votes. Public voting closes Friday. 

Parton is among seven of the 17 nominees on the ballot for the first time. The list of inductees will be announced May 22, and the induction ceremony will take place this fall. Time, date and location have yet to be determined.