Will Dolly Parton be on Beyoncé’s new country album? Here’s what Dolly had to say

The Queen of Country is showing much love to Queen Bey, and a royal musical mash-up really might be happening.

Since Beyoncé released two country songs (“Texas Hold ’Em,” “16 Carriages”) in February and became the first Black woman to top Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart, the internet has been buzzing with speculation that she collaborated with Dolly Parton or covered one of Parton’s songs for her forthcoming “Act II” album, a follow-up to the popular “Renaissance” project.

But is it true?

“Well, I think she has! I think she's recorded ‘Jolene’ and I think it's probably gonna be on her country album, which I'm very excited about that,” Parton revealed to Knox News on March 8 during a one-on-one interview for the 2024 season opening of Dollywood.

“I love her!” Parton said of Beyoncé. “She's a beautiful girl and a great singer.”

Fans still have to wait to see if a “Jolene” cover makes the final cut of Beyoncé's album, which drops March 29. After sharing her initial excitement, Parton was more careful to add that she “heard” and “thinks” and “hopes” Beyoncé had recorded the classic hit.

But Parton said she has always wanted Beyoncé to cover that song, and that the two artists have been in contact over the years.

“We've kind of sent messages back and forth through the years. And she and her mother were like fans, and I was always touched that they were fans, and I always thought she was great.”

“Texas Hold ’Em” has spent two weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 so far, becoming Beyoncé’s ninth No. 1 hit on the chart. It also topped the Hot Country Songs and Global 200 charts with over 60 million streams.

Parton praised Beyoncé when “Texas Hold ‘Em” became a No. 1 country song. “I’m a big fan of Beyoncé and very excited that she’s done a country album,” Parton wrote in a statement on Instagram. “So, congratulations on your Billboard Hot Country number one single.”

Dolly Parton defends Beyoncé

Despite the “Texas Hold ‘Em” success, Beyoncé has received some criticism for entering the country lane. Some country music stations were initially hesitant to play her new country songs because she’s traditionally been a pop/R&B artist.

But Parton welcomes Beyoncé into the country music space with open arms.

“A lot of people don't realize Beyonce is a country girl. She's from Texas,” Parton said of the Houston-born singer. “I think we belong wherever we can do good, and her song is number one across every chart in the whole world, I think. So, I mean, who can argue with that?”

Parton knows a little about crossing genres, too. She recently joined rapper Pitbull on the song “Powerful Women,” which samples Parton’s classic “9 to 5.” And she released her first rock album “Rockstar” last year. It was her highest-charting album debut ever, hitting No. 1 on three Billboard charts and the No. 3 spot on the Billboard 200.

Devarrick Turner is a trending news reporter. Email devarrick.turner@knoxnews.com. On X, formerly known as Twitter @dturner1208.

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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Did Beyoncé cover Dolly Parton’s Jolene for 'Act II' country album?