When Dolly Parton joins forces with Lainey Wilson, Miley Cyrus, Reba McEntire, and Queen Latifah, you know something legendary is about to happen.
Dolly Parton has never been one to follow the rules, and she sure is not slowing down either. At a time when most legends would be taking a bow, she is lighting another fire and bringing a powerhouse girl gang with her. In true Dolly fashion, she is re-releasing one of her most meaningful songs, “Light of a Clear Blue Morning,” and bringing along Lainey Wilson, Reba McEntire, Miley Cyrus, and Queen Latifah for the ride.
And let us tell you, this version might just hit harder than ever before.
Originally released back in 1977, “Light of a Clear Blue Morning” was Dolly’s declaration of freedom and hope after her split from longtime collaborator Porter Wagoner. It is a song about stepping into the light after walking through a whole lot of darkness, and it is one of the rawest and most honest songs she ever wrote. So it is only fitting that in 2026, as she faces some of her own personal grief following the loss of her husband, Carl Dean, she is choosing to revisit that very song with some serious backup.
This is not just a re-release for chart-topping attention or nostalgia’s sake. It is a full-circle moment. Lainey Wilson brings that new-generation grit, Reba delivers decades of country royalty, Miley adds a layer of family pride and pop power, and Queen Latifah steps in as the soulful wild card nobody expected, but everybody will be thankful for.
And if you are wondering how these women ended up on the same track, it all traces back to the mark Dolly has made on every one of them.
Reba and Dolly have walked parallel paths through the male-dominated world of country music, holding their own with every note. Though they only recorded together for the first time in 2021, their respect for each other runs deep. Then there is Lainey Wilson, who has been proudly waving the Dolly flag since her small-town days. She has the twang, the swagger, and the heart, making her the perfect modern-day protégé.
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Miley Cyrus, as most know, is Dolly’s goddaughter. That bond has been unshakable since day one. Whether it is joining forces on “Wrecking Ball” or sharing the stage at countless events, there is real love between them. And then there is Queen Latifah, a name you might not expect in this mix, but one that makes perfect sense if you know the kind of woman Dolly is. They co-starred in the 2012 film Joyful Noise and built a friendship rooted in mutual respect and authenticity. In this lineup, Queen brings soul, strength, and something unexpected to the table.
And let us not forget, this collaboration is not just for the spotlight. Proceeds from the song and its music video will go toward pediatric cancer research at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt in Nashville. That is Dolly being Dolly, always using her voice to lift others up, even in the middle of her own pain.
It has been a quiet year musically for Dolly since the loss of Carl, but this release feels less like a comeback and more like a healing hymn. It is not just about music. It is about leaning on sisterhood, legacy, and the kind of unshakable hope that gets you through the darkest nights.
“Light of a Clear Blue Morning” was born from struggle, but this new version feels like a celebration of survival, womanhood, and unity across genres and generations.
And with voices like Lainey, Reba, Miley, and Queen Latifah in the mix, you know it is going to leave a mark.
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