“The story of ‘Jolene’ has a new chapter, thanks to Belles and Dolly Parton” – PEOPLE
(NASHVILLE, Tenn. – February 25, 2026) Emerging country artist Belles continues the legacy of one of country music’s most iconic songs with the release of “Son of Jolene,” a special collaboration featuring international music legend Dolly Parton, arriving April 17. The track will impact country radio on May 11, marking a pivotal milestone ahead of Belles’ highly anticipated debut album, due in 2026. Pre-save “Son of Jolene” here.
Inspired by the timeless narrative that captivated generations, Belles penned “Son of Jolene” as a clever, character-driven continuation of the classic story, imagining a chance encounter years later with Jolene’s son. Blending vivid storytelling with a modern country edge, the song honors the spirit of the original track while introducing a fresh perspective.
The collaboration began as a creative spark rooted in admiration. After hearing the track, Parton immediately connected with its concept and recognized it as a natural creative fit. Her enthusiasm ultimately brought the collaboration to life, bridging generations through a shared commitment to great storytelling. PEOPLE debuted an exclusive feature on the song offering an inside look at the story and inspiration behind the highly anticipated track, calling it “…the equivalent of a musical and generational bridge being built between the two artists.” [Read here]
“I grew up so inspired by Dolly and the worlds she created through her songs,” shares Belles. “Having her lend her voice to this record is beyond anything I could have imagined. It feels like a full-circle moment and a true honor.”
Belles is kicking off promotion for “Son of Jolene” at Country Radio Seminar (March 18–20), hosting exclusive meet-and-greets alongside East Music Row Records for radio and industry executives in an executive suite at the Omni Hotel Nashville. She will also perform six acoustic sets across the three days and host a merchandise giveaway in the suite, along with additional surprises throughout the event.
Arriving on the heels of Belles’ self-titled EP, “Son of Jolene” signals a defining moment in her ascent as an emerging artist. The six-track collection explores themes of love, heartbreak, resilience, and self-discovery, showcasing the emotional depth and range that have become hallmarks of her songwriting. Belles continues to create music that resonates across generations, fueled by the viral success of her breakout single “Crazy As Me,” which sparked a massive surge in social engagement, driving a 400% increase in streams and reaching over 30 million views on social media, in excess of 2 million Spotify streams, and a No. 3 spot on the iTunes Country Chart.
Making waves in Nashville since 2018, Belles has established herself as a powerful voice in country music, building a formidable digital presence with over 1.5 million followers on social media platforms, including in excess of 700,000 on Facebook and 450,000 on Tiktok – alongside more than 100 million cumulative views and streams. With a global record deal with East Music Row Records, a publishing agreement with Deluge Music, a management relationship with Red Light Management and performances alongside artists including Miranda Lambert, Old Dominion, and Jake Worthington, and a debut full-length album slated for release in 2026, Belles’ momentum shows no signs of slowing down.
For more information and to stay updated on Belles, visit https://bellesmusic.com/ and follow her on her social media platforms, including Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok.
About East Music Row Records: East Music Row Records emerged from the minds of David Robkin, Johnny Gates, and Austin Luther, the latter two of whom cut their teeth as Nashville songwriters, artists, and producers, with a goal of blending the hip, innovative sides of Nashville’s new indie rock and alt-country music with the musicianship, professionalism, and ingenuity of Music Row classicists. East Music Row Records artists include Nashville-based Australian alt-pop artist Felicity, Music Row meets East Nashville Country artist Belles, alt-hip hop artist Jyou and Johnny Gates, a multi-genre singer-songwriter, punk and Country artist, East Music Row Records is trying to bring back the glory days of the indie label, signing artists that move them, over chasing numbers, and developing the next big things, all in-house, and as a family.
Photo Credit: ashtronot
Photo Credit: ashtronot
For Belles:
Christy Walker-Watkins/AristoPR – christy@aristomedia.com
Taylor Dickens/AristoPR – taylor@aristomedia.com
For Dolly Parton:
Marcel Pariseau/True Public Relations – marcel@truepublicrelations.com
