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Dolly Parton Surprises Everybody at the Newport Folk Festival

by
  • Arden is a Senior Country Music Journalist for Country Thang Daily, specializing in classic hits and contemporary chart-toppers.
  • Prior to joining Country Thang Daily, Arden wrote for Billboard and People magazine, covering country music legends and emerging artists.
  • Arden holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Tennessee, with a minor in Music Studies.

This weekend’s Newport Folk Festival had some country royalty gracing their stage! When Saturday, the 27th of July, rolled in the country queen herself, Dolly Parton showed up and graced everybody with extra sass and talent. 

Dolly Parton, Dolly, Parton, Maren Morris, The Highwomen
NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND – JULY 27: Dolly Parton performs during the Newport Folk Festival 2019, it’s 60th anniversary, at Fort Adams State Park on July 27, 2019, in Newport, Rhode Island. (Photo by Douglas Mason/WireImage)

Dolly Parton’s Surprise

Parton graced the stage as part of a group comprised of Brandi Carlile, Amanda Shires, Maren Morris, and Natalie Hemby. They are known as the Highwomen, Parton definitely added some sass to the country female supergroup. 

Dolly Parton, Dolly, Parton, Maren Morris, The Highwomen
via Maren Morris’ Official Instagram Page

The Queen of Country paraded in the delight of the crowd on stage, after which, the women performed a medley of Parton’s classics such as “Jolene,” “Because I’m a Woman,” and “Eagle When She Flies.” Carlile also got to sing a duet with Parton on her iconic “I Will Always Love You.” To finish off the fun-filled performance, everyone chimed in on her hit “9 to 5.”

Prior to Parton surprising everyone at the festival, she surprised the Highwomen first. She gathered the visibly moved artists and rehearsed her 1991 ballad “Eagle When She Flies” with them.

However, Parton wasn’t the only special guest. Sheryl Crow, Lucy Dacus, and Maggie Rogers joined in on all the fun and excitement as well. 

The Highwomen have already released songs from their upcoming self-titled EP. The group’s “Redesigning Women” and “Crowded Tables” are out now. 

Dolly Parton, Dolly, Parton, Maren Morris, The Highwomen
via Maren Morris’ Official Instagram Page

The Highwomen’s self-titled album will be released on the 6th of September. You can pre-order their album, and order some amazing merchandise here. Portions of the proceeds from the bundle sales will benefit She Is The Music, a non-profit committed to making music a more diverse, inclusive, and female-driven landscape.

The group will make their television debut on the 30th of July on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.

The Newport Folk Festival will run through Sunday, the 28th of July.

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