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Dolly Parton's life story through six iconic songs
Confirmed
Esther Konkara , a singer known as "the Kenyan Dolly Parton," said that growing up in a semi-arid, dusty Kenyan village, Dolly's songs just spoke to her. Casual pop fans and chart junkies can hear Billboard ‘s executive digital director, West Coast, Katie Atkinson and Billboard ’s managing director, charts and data operations, Keith Caulfield every week on the podcast, which can be streamed on Billboard.com or downloaded in Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast provider. ( Click here to listen to the previous edition of the show on Billboard.com.) Your email address will not be published.
A notoriously private man, he was "a little embarrassed" when she wrote Jolene, Parton said in a 2023 interview with BBC's The One Show , external , adding that "actually, it wasn't as serious [as it sounds]. The anti-apartheid icon was particularly fond of "Jolene" and, according to fellow inmates, would ask for it to be played over the loudspeakers at Robben Island.
Decades later, the song found a new South African interpretation when the Ndlovu Youth Choir recorded a version in 2020, adding lines in isiZulu. Required fields are marked * A daily briefing on what matters in the music industry Send us a tip using our anonymous form.
Call It also showed Parton at her most vulnerable, making it all the more relatable. “I never considered the fact that I was going pop,” she said at the time.
What's confirmed
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- Call It also showed Parton at her most vulnerable, making it all the more relatable.
- A notoriously private man, he was "a little embarrassed" when she wrote Jolene, Parton said in a 2023 interview with BBC's The One Show , external , adding that "actually, it wasn't as serious [as it sounds].
- “I never considered the fact that I was going pop,” she said at the time.
- Casual pop fans and chart junkies can hear Billboard ‘s executive digital director, West Coast, Katie Atkinson and Billboard ’s managing director, charts and data operations, Keith Caulfield every week on the…
- Required fields are marked * A daily briefing on what matters in the music industry Send us a tip using our anonymous form.
- Esther Konkara , a singer known as "the Kenyan Dolly Parton," said that growing up in a semi-arid, dusty Kenyan village, Dolly's songs just spoke to her.
- The anti-apartheid icon was particularly fond of "Jolene" and, according to fellow inmates, would ask for it to be played over the loudspeakers at Robben Island.
- Decades later, the song found a new South African interpretation when the Ndlovu Youth Choir recorded a version in 2020, adding lines in isiZulu.