Dolly Parton has given rising country artist Belles an unforgettable gift by expressing her desire to record a duet of Belles’ original song, “Son of Jolene.”
The songwriting journey began for Belles while on tour with an act whose mother shared the name Jolene. Inspired, she crafted the track, never imagining it would catch the attention of one of her musical icons. This collaboration highlights the magic that can happen within the country music community.
A Dream Come True in Nashville
Upon hearing the song, Belles’ Nashville publisher wasted no time, delivering it to Parton’s producer, Kent Wells. He was impressed and agreed to share it with the legendary singer-songwriter. Belles, an artist hailing from Nebraska and a lifelong admirer of Parton, was elated at the thought of her hero listening to her work. “I thought, ‘There’s no way; this is like a prank,'” she recalled during an interview on Taste of Country Nights.
Then came an exhilarating phone call from her publisher, who scheduled an unexpected Zoom meeting on a Sunday afternoon to reveal the news. “Dolly loves the song and wants to sing it with you,” the publisher conveyed, leaving Belles in a state of disbelief and joy.
The Magic of Collaboration
The experience became even more poignant as Belles heard Parton’s studio vocals, prompting an emotional response. “I was just crying. I could not believe it,” she remarked, impressed with how effortlessly Parton added complexity to the song. Their collaboration showcases a remarkable interplay between the two artists, with Parton contributing both harmonies and a unique line in the second chorus.
In addition to working on the song, Belles had the opportunity to meet Parton at her personal studio. The encounter proved to be a dreamlike experience, leading Belles to admit, “I blacked out the first five minutes,” overwhelmed by the presence of her number one idol. Parton offered kind words about Belles’ vocal talent and songwriting, further cementing the young artist’s admiration for her.
She was everything that you’d think Dolly would be; I was even more of a bigger fan.
Parton expressed her hope for “Son of Jolene” to reach a wider audience, aspiring for it to be played on the radio. Belles now embraces the exciting journey ahead as more listeners discover her work, grateful for the incredible opportunity that Parton has afforded her.