Welsh artist Bronwen Lewis, who gained attention for her covers of Dolly Parton’s songs in Welsh, recently collaborated with the iconic country musician herself. Lewis, a singer-songwriter from Wales, began sharing her renditions of Parton’s music online around two years ago. Parton’s niece, Jada Star, noticed Lewis’s version of “Jolene” and later facilitated the collaboration between Lewis and Parton.
The new Welsh rendition of “Jolene,” featuring vocals in both Welsh and English by Parton, was recorded in the studio by Lewis and Star. It marks Parton’s second posthumous release and one of her final recordings before her passing in August at the age of 80. Both Lewis and Star expressed gratitude for Parton’s involvement in the project and hoped that listeners would appreciate the collaboration as much as they did.
Lewis, a devoted fan of country music and Parton, emphasized the authenticity and emotional depth of Parton’s music, which she believed resonated well with the Welsh language. The collaboration brought Lewis to tears upon hearing Parton’s vocals in both languages, evoking a similar emotional response from their audience.
Parton’s Welsh ancestry on her mother’s side adds a personal touch to the collaboration. Star highlighted Lewis’s exceptional cover of “Jolene,” which impressed Parton’s family members and led to the invitation for Lewis to join them in the project. Despite the honor of working with a legendary artist like Parton, Lewis remains humbled by the opportunity and expressed immense gratitude for the experience.
The Welsh language has a rich history that survived suppression efforts, with a significant portion of the Welsh population still speaking it today. Lewis and Star believe that their collaboration, with Parton’s endorsement, will help promote Welsh culture and language on a global scale. They hope the project will demonstrate the universal nature of heartbreak and encourage mutual understanding among people from diverse backgrounds.