Dolly Parton Teams With Rising Star Belles on 'Son of Jolene' — A Sequel 53 Years After the Original

Dolly Parton is revisiting one of her most famous songs with a fresh narrative twist: a sequel titled "Son of Jolene. " The 80-year-old singer has embraced a concept from rising country artist Belles that flips the original's perspective, and the collaboration has already been recorded at the same Nashville studio where the classic was made. This development matters because it connects a landmark 1973 hit to a new generation while keeping direct ties to the original's creative roots.

Dolly Parton backs a bold sequel to an iconic song

The new track, titled "Son of Jolene, " is presented from the viewpoint of a young woman who falls for Jolene's son — a narrative reversal of the original 1973 song that centered on a woman pleading with a red-headed bank teller named Jolene. Dolly Parton called the idea "very clever, " signaling her approval of this inventive continuation of the story that first resonated widely more than five decades ago.

The duet pairs Dolly Parton with the rising artist Belles, who is legally known as Kelli Rachel Belles and is 26 years old. The collaboration grew out of Belles' pitch and creative persistence; she took care to present the concept respectfully and involved her team in getting the song to the people who could bring it to life alongside Dolly.

How the concept came together and where it was recorded

Belles developed the idea while touring, inspired in part by a real-life name encounter on the road. She described the concept's origin as spontaneous: after an interaction involving an opening act's mother named Jolene, she entertained the thought of a song about that performer's child and the complications that could follow. Rather than present the idea herself at first, she worked with her publishers to get the song into the hands of Dolly Parton's longtime production team.

The track was recorded at RCA Studio A in Nashville, Tennessee — the same studio where the original song was recorded. The production involved Dolly's established team, with her producer Kent Wells playing a role in evaluating and moving the project forward. While a specific release date has not been set, the recording has been completed and the song is expected to arrive sometime in 2026.

What this means for fans and the song's legacy

Revisiting a narrative from the original song with a sequel creates a direct throughline between two generations of country storytelling. Dolly Parton’s involvement lends continuity and creative endorsement, while Belles' authorship and performance introduce a contemporary voice to an enduring tale of love, jealousy, and identity. Recording at the original studio reinforces the project’s continuity with the source material.

The choice to tell the story from the perspective of someone falling for Jolene's son shifts the emotional center of the narrative and opens space for new character dynamics. Fans can expect a reinterpretation that acknowledges the original's emotional stakes while offering fresh angles rooted in modern songwriting approaches.

Timeline and next steps

• October 1973: The original song was released.
• 53 years later: A sequel concept, "Son of Jolene, " was developed and recorded.
• Recording location: RCA Studio A in Nashville, Tennessee — same studio as the original.
• Release window: The song is expected to drop sometime in 2026; a precise date has not been announced.

Recent updates indicate the collaboration is complete and slated for release next year, but specific promotional plans or a firm release date have not been disclosed. Fans and observers should watch for official announcements as the team prepares the rollout for this unusual sequel to a country music classic.