Source: Brandon Sloter/Getty
Remember last month when Beyoncé released a pair of country songs, “Texas Hold'Em” and “16 Carriages,” and white country music fans across America had a collective Caucasian conception above that? After dropping the two songs, the crowd immediately the discussion began or not it Rennasainse singer was really cut out of country clothes, country music stations she initially refused to play her new songsand none of that stopped her from becoming the First black woman to top Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart.
Well, one person who had Bey's back in all of this is country legend Dolly Parton, and that hasn't changed now that people are wondering if Beyoncé will cover Parton's iconic hit “Jolene” on her upcoming album. Act II, which falls on March 29.
In fact, last week, Parton confirmed that a Beyoncé cover of her 1973 hit does in fact exist, though she didn't reveal whether or not it would appear on the new album.
“Well, I think he has! I think she recorded 'Jolene,' and I think it's probably going to be on her country album, which I'm really excited about,” Parton told the Knoxville News Sentinel.
“I love her!” Parton said of the “Church Girl” artist. “She's a beautiful girl and a great singer.”
From Knox News:
But Parton said she always wanted Beyoncé to cover the song and that the two artists have kept in touch over the years. “We've been texting back and forth over the years. And she and her mother were like fans, and it always touched me that they were fans, and I always thought she was wonderful.”
Parton praised Beyoncé when “Texas Hold 'Em” became a No. 1 country song. “I'm a huge fan of Beyoncé and I'm very excited that she's done a country album,” Parton she wrote in a statement on Instagram. “So, congratulations on your Billboard Hot Country number one single.”
Of course, it should come as no surprise that Parton is excited about Beyoncé covering “Jolene” since the 78-year-old also reacted positively to Lil Nas X's cover of the same song.
It's just great to see that when the haters seem to be the loudest in the room, Parton refuses to let her voice add to that echo chamber and instead serves as a beacon of support and positivity for these artists.
Anyway, fans will have to wait and see if Beyoncé's 'Jolene' cover makes it onto her new album. Either way, the Hive is ready. See you on March 23rd.
