Dolly Parton posthumous Jolene releases

Following the passing of country music legend Dolly Parton, new versions of her classic song ‘Jolene’ have been released.

An initial release featured a Welsh-language version of the track, a collaboration between Parton, Welsh singer-songwriter Bronwen Lewis, and Parton’s niece, Jada Star. This project was inspired by a viral video of Lewis singing the song in Welsh and was intended to honor Parton’s Welsh ancestry.

Subsequently, the rock band Bad Wolves released a new version of their cover of ‘Jolene’. While an initial version of the cover was released in August without Parton’s vocals, a new rendition has been issued that incorporates posthumous vocals using previously recorded stems mixed by Kent Wells. This version, made possible with the approval of the Parton estate, features duets between singer Sara ‘Killboy’ Skinner and Parton.

A music video accompanied this release, featuring the band performing in a studio alongside archive footage of Parton and students from Nashville’s School of Rock. All proceeds from the Bad Wolves release are designated to benefit Parton’s Imagination Library, a non-profit literacy program that provides free books to children.