Welsh musician Bronwen Lewis never imagined that her cover of Dolly Parton’s songs in Welsh would lead to a collaboration with the country music icon herself. Lewis, a singer-songwriter from Wales, began sharing her renditions of Parton’s songs online around two years ago. One of her covers, “Jolene,” caught the attention of Parton’s niece, singer Jada Star, and ultimately, Parton herself, who agreed to collaborate on a recording.
The new Welsh version of “Jolene” was recently recorded in the studio by Lewis, Star, and Parton, with vocals in Welsh by the country legend. This release marks Parton’s second posthumous song and one of her final recordings before her passing in August at the age of 80.
Expressing gratitude for the collaboration, Star emphasized the significance of the project and hoped that listeners would appreciate it as much as they do. Lewis, a lifelong fan of country music and Parton, found the experience of hearing Parton’s vocals in both English and Welsh profoundly moving, evoking immediate tears.
Parton’s Welsh roots, believed to trace back to her mother’s side, add a poignant connection to the collaboration. Star highlighted the admiration for Lewis’s work shown by Parton’s family members, leading to the decision to invite Lewis to collaborate on the Welsh rendition of “Jolene” and include Parton in the project.
Acknowledging the historical importance of the Welsh language and its resilience over the centuries, Lewis highlighted the pride felt by the Welsh community in sharing their language on a global scale through this collaboration. She expressed hope that the emotional resonance of the music transcends language barriers and fosters a sense of unity and understanding among listeners.