When Kelli Belles sat down with The Tennessean in April, she was still trying to process how a song she wrote on a whim had reached Dolly Parton.
Four months later, following Parton's death at 80, the collaboration carries new meaning.
Belles is among the final artists to release a collaboration with the country music legend. Their song, "Son of Jolene,"puts a modern spin on Parton's 1973 classic "Jolene," imagining what might happen a generation later if the famous redhead had a son who inherited some of his mother's ways.
Parton didn't simply give Belles permission to play with one of the most recognizable characters in country music. The country icon heard the song, loved it and added her own voice.
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"As just a lifelong Dolly fan, that was such a huge moment," Belles said. "When I heard that she wanted to be a part of the song and sing on it, I was just floored."
The collaboration began on tour in fall 2024, after the mother of Belles' friend and fellow country artist Trevor Martin attended one of their shows. Her name: Jolene.
Belles turned to Martin and told him to write a song called "Son of Jolene." He passed.
"I was like, okay, totally fair, but I might write that song," Belles recalled.
She did, teaming with two friends the following week. Eventually, the song reached producer Ken Wells, who played it for Parton.
For Belles, the prospect of Parton hearing the song was intimidating enough. Then came word that Parton wanted to sing on it.
"My gosh, Dolly Parton's going to hear a song that I wrote and she's going to hear my voice," Belles remembered thinking.
Meeting Parton for the first time brought another round of nerves. People around the country icon assured Belles that would disappear once Parton entered the room.
"They told me, 'When you meet her, she just puts you at ease,'" Belles said. "She's such a bright light in this world that you'll meet her and she'll just make you feel at home... And that really was what happened."
Bryan West is a music reporter at The Tennessean, part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow him on Instagram, TikTok and X as @BryanWestTV.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Watch one of Dolly Parton's final collaborators perform 'Son of Jolene' | Exclusive
