Olivia Newton-John & Dolly Parton Team-Up On ‘Jolene’

As regular readers know, my hubby Michael has handled PR duties for Grammy Award winner Olivia Newton-John for more than 20+ years, and I’ve tended to her online presence, web sites, and social media.

After Olivia passed away last August, fans were concerned there wouldn’t be any more new music from Olivia…but there is!

During our years with Team Olivia, I only had one suggestion in regards to something for Olivia to record, and I always repeated the same suggestion. I really really wanted Olivia to duet with Dolly Parton.

“Can the two blonds please record together???”

Today, I got my wish. In the fall of 2021, Olivia and Dolly recorded a new version of “Jolene” for Olivia’s upcoming duets album, Just The Two Of Us. The song and music video were released today. And it’s terrific. I especially love Olivia’s high notes at the end.

Dolly and Olivia became friends after Olivia won 1974’s Country Music Association Female Vocalist of the Year award. To this day, Olivia is the only non-American born artist to win the award.

As a nod to their friendship, Olivia recorded an acclaimed version of Parton’s “Jolene” for her 1976 seventh studio album Come On Over which received critical praise from fans and industry alike.

“My first memory of Olivia was when her song ‘Let Me Be There’ was a hit. I have loved her ever since,” said Parton. “We had many occasions that we got to share together, either backstage or performing on the same shows, and I loved every moment that I ever got to spend with her. I’ve always been inspired by her grit, tenderness, willingness, and determination.”

The icon continues, “My last memory of Olivia was when I sang with her on my song ‘Jolene’ which she recorded for an album not so very long ago. I cannot wait to hear that album and Olivia may you rest in peace. You left a spot that one else will ever fill.”

“I have always wanted to record with Dolly,” said the late Newton-John during an interview in 2021. “She was always there for me and what she did for me early on in my career in Nashville is something I will never forget.”

Watch the new music video above and you can pre-save the upcoming Just The Two Of Us here.

Olivia’s husband, John Easterling, and her daughter, Chloe Lattanzi, appeared on The TODAY Show this morning in their first interview since Olivia’s passing.