Bronwen Lewis, a singer-songwriter from Wales, never imagined that she would one day collaborate on a song with Dolly Parton after starting to cover Parton’s songs in Welsh online about two years ago. Parton’s niece, Jada Star, came across Lewis’s rendition of “Jolene” and, impressed by it, reached out to Lewis. This led to a unique collaboration where they recorded a new Welsh cover of “Jolene” in the studio, featuring vocals from Parton. The song, released on major streaming platforms, marks Parton’s second posthumous release and is one of the last recordings she made before her passing in August at the age of 80.
Expressing gratitude for the opportunity, Star praised Lewis for her talent and praised her rendition of “Jolene” that caught their attention. The decision to invite Parton to be part of the project was met with immediate enthusiasm from Parton herself, who loved the idea. Lewis, a lifelong fan of country music and Parton, was overwhelmed by the news of collaborating with the country legend.
The Welsh language, with a rich history dating back before the Roman Empire, has faced suppression over the centuries. Despite this, about 17.8% of people in Wales speak Welsh today. Lewis emphasized the pride they feel in their language and culture, hoping that the collaboration with Parton will showcase the beauty of the Welsh language to a global audience and emphasize the universality of emotions across languages.
Overall, the collaboration between Lewis, Star, and Parton is a celebration of music, language, and cultural pride, resonating with audiences worldwide.