'Jolene' remake sung in Welsh by late Dolly Parton released
The track was recorded alongside Neath born Bronwen Lewis and Partons niece Jada Star
Country music legend Dolly Parton has joined Welsh singer-songwriter Bronwen Lewis and her own niece, Jada Star, for a unique bilingual version of her iconic hit ‘Jolene’, released on 9 October 2026. The recording features Parton singing in Welsh for the first time, creating a special musical connection between Nashville and Wales.
In an interview with Hits Radio, Lewis said that she had " never been so proud to be welsh"
The collaboration began when Lewis, from Neath, shared her Welsh translation of ‘Jolene’ on social media in 2024. The video went viral, catching the attention of Parton’s family. Her niece, Jada Star, subsequently contacted Lewis, and the pair developed a friendship, even performing together in Cardiff. Inspired by their connection and Wales’s rich culture, Star suggested recording a bilingual version of the classic with her famous aunt.
The project also celebrates Parton’s Welsh ancestry. Her maternal family, the Owens, have roots in Wales, with research by Conwy council archivists suggesting her eighth great-grandfather, William Owen Jr, was born in Machynlleth in 1584.
Originally released in 1973, ‘Jolene’ remains one of country music’s most beloved songs. This fresh interpretation celebrates Welsh heritage, family connections and the universal power of music to unite generations and cultures.
You can listen here below