Country music legend Dolly Parton has shown her support for Beyoncé after the pop superstar made history by becoming the first Black woman to claim the top spot on Billboard’s country music chart. Beyoncé, 42, achieved this milestone with her track “Texas Hold ‘Em,” released alongside “16 Carriages” in a surprise album announcement during this year’s Super Bowl. She is now only the second solo female artist to have a song go straight to the summit of the country music chart, following Taylor Swift’s success in 2021.
Despite the accomplishment, some critics have voiced their disapproval. One radio station refused to play Beyoncé’s song, claiming to be a “country music station.” Actor John Schneider also advised her to stay out of the genre, comparing her to a dog marking its territory on a tree. However, Dolly Parton, one of the genre’s biggest icons, has no issue with Beyoncé’s success.
In a heartfelt Instagram post, Dolly expressed her excitement for Beyoncé’s country album and congratulated her on achieving Billboard Hot Country’s number one single. She eagerly awaits the release of the full album, titled “Renaissance: Act II,” on March 29. This has sparked speculation about whether the entire project will focus on country music.
With approximately 76 million Americans enjoying country music weekly, it’s understandable that renowned artists would want to tap into this vast fan base and expand their appeal, despite some diehard country fans and radio stations expressing reservations. However, Beyoncé’s dedicated fan base has strongly defended her against criticism. They argue that Beyoncé’s exploration of country music is not new, and that many artists throughout history, even outside the genre, have ventured into country sounds.
No matter what the critics say, Beyoncé can take comfort in knowing she has the support of Dolly Parton, known as the Queen of Country. And with such a legendary figure endorsing her, it’s safe to say that Beyoncé’s venture into country music has received the stamp of approval.
