Dolly Parton, the iconic country singer, has showered praise on Beyoncé following the success of Beyoncé’s new song “Texas Hold ‘Em,” which recently topped the Billboard hot country songs chart.
Taking to social media on Thursday, Parton expressed her admiration for Beyoncé, calling herself a “big fan” and expressing excitement over Beyoncé’s venture into country music with her new album.
In her post, Parton congratulated Beyoncé on achieving a No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot Country chart and expressed eagerness to listen to the full album once it’s released.
Beyoncé’s “Texas Hold ‘Em” made history by becoming the first No. 1 hit on the Billboard hot country songs list by a Black woman. This milestone marks a significant cultural shift in the country music genre, which has historically struggled with diversity and inclusivity.
The song, an homage to Beyoncé’s home state of Texas, serves as the lead single for her upcoming eighth studio album, slated for release on March 29. Alongside “Texas Hold ‘Em,” Beyoncé also dropped another track titled “16 Carriages” during the Super Bowl.
However, the release of “Texas Hold ‘Em” was not without controversy. Initially, a country radio station in Oklahoma, KYKC-FM, refused to play Beyoncé’s music. However, after facing backlash from Beyoncé’s devoted fanbase, known as the Beyhive, the station manager eventually added “Texas Hold ‘Em” to the playlist.
The song’s success underscores Beyoncé’s versatility as an artist and her ability to transcend genres, garnering acclaim and recognition across diverse musical landscapes.