Dolly Parton has confirmed her membership in the Beyhive.
The “Jolene” singer took to Instagram on Thursday to congratulate Beyoncé on her country debut, which consisted of a surprise dual release announced during the 2024 Super Bowl. The most upbeat of the singles, “Texas Hold 'Em,” became Beyoncé became the first black woman to top Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart, while the softer ballad “16 Carriages” followed closely at No. 9.
“I'm a huge fan of Beyoncé and I'm very excited that she made a country album. Congratulations from her on her Billboard Hot Country number one single,” Parton wrote of the 32-time Grammy winner. “I can't wait to hear the full album!”
“Act II,” the second album in the Renaissance trilogy, will be released on March 29.
Parton's post marks a major endorsement amid controversy surrounding Beyoncé's place in the country genre.
KYKC-FM, a country radio station in Oklahoma, Initially rejected will play the artist on February 13, two days after the double release. Roger Harris, general manager of Chickasaw Nation-Radio Stations, which owns and operates KYKC, later told CBS News that he was unaware that Beyoncé had released two country songs and confirmed that she had added “Texas Hold 'Em” to the list. playback of the station after fans flooded the station with hundreds of emails and phone calls.
In contrast to Beyoncé's fans, there is a sector of country music fans who resist her entry into the genre. In a survey conducted by leading country music Instagram account and publication Country Central, approximately 84% of respondents agreed with the statement “Beyoncé should not be considered a country artist.”
Some call such a fuss hypocrite and even pretended.
Defending the singer, radio host Bobby Bones said: “It's a bit of fake outrage on people's part, like, 'I can't believe I'm doing country.' Listen, I'm not a big Beyoncé fan. [but] “The song is pretty good.”
Beyoncé isn't the only one trying to do a country crossover this year. During a pre-Grammy event in early February, Lana Del Rey announced her upcoming LP, “Lasso,” which she says has a Southern undertone and will be released in September. Post Malone also has a national record in the making.
