Bronwen Lewis, a singer-songwriter from Wales, never imagined that her cover of Dolly Parton’s songs in Welsh would lead to a collaboration with the country music icon herself. Lewis began sharing her renditions of Parton’s songs online around two years ago, with her version of “Jolene” catching the attention of Parton’s niece, singer Jada Star. This eventually led to a studio recording featuring vocals from Parton in both English and Welsh.
Describing the experience as a surreal moment, Lewis expressed gratitude for Parton’s belief in the project. The new Welsh cover of “Jolene” marks Parton’s second posthumous release and was among her final recordings before her passing at the age of 80 in August.
Expressing her appreciation for the opportunity, Star highlighted Lewis’s talent and the emotional impact of the collaboration. The Welsh language, with its deep historical roots and resilience against suppression, plays a significant role in this project. Lewis emphasized the pride in their language and culture, hoping that the collaboration will resonate with listeners by demonstrating the universality of emotions across languages and promoting understanding and connection among diverse communities.
