Welsh artist Bronwen Lewis was pleasantly surprised when her renditions of Dolly Parton’s songs in Welsh led to a collaboration with the iconic country singer herself. Lewis, a singer-songwriter from Wales, began sharing her covers of Parton’s songs online around two years ago. Parton’s niece, Jada Star, noticed Lewis’s rendition of “Jolene,” which eventually caught the attention of Parton, leading to a joint recording.
The new Welsh version of “Jolene” was recently recorded in the studio by Lewis and Star, featuring vocals from Parton in both English and Welsh. 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 opportunity, Star emphasized the significance of the collaboration and hoped that listeners would appreciate the effort put into the project. Lewis, a lifelong fan of country music and Parton, found the experience emotional, particularly upon hearing Parton’s vocals in Welsh.
Acknowledging Parton’s potential Welsh ancestry, Lewis and Star highlighted the cultural importance of the Welsh language and its historical resilience against suppression efforts. Lewis expressed pride in sharing Welsh culture on a global stage with Parton’s support, emphasizing the universal themes of heartbreak and human connection conveyed through their music collaboration.