Did Dolly Parton Make Pop Music? Yes, But She Preferred to Call It ‘Dolly Parton Music’

Did Dolly Parton Make Pop Music? Yes, But She Preferred to Call It ‘Dolly Parton Music’

Author: Billboard September 1, 2026 Duration: 43:57
While there’s no question Dolly Parton was popular, she had no intention of “going pop” throughout her 60-plus-year career. On the new Billboard Pop Shop Podcast, Katie & Keith are chatting about the relationship Parton — who died on Aug. 25 at age 80 — had with pop music, from her crossover hits to collaborating with her goddaughter Miley Cyrus. In a 1977 interview with Country Music magazine — the same year she released one of her poppiest hits, “Here You Come Again” — Parton addressed the genre question head-on. “I never considered the fact that I was going pop,” she said at the time. “I will go pop, as far as crossing over, sooner or later. But I will go there as me. I will go there with my own music, not by trying to be something different than I am. “If my music has to have a label, I will call it country, mainly because I am country,” she added. “You cannot leave what you are. But I really prefer to call it Dolly Parton music.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Every week, the conversation around what's topping the charts and shaping the sound of popular music gets a lively, insider perspective on Pop Shop Podcast. Hosted by Billboard's own Keith Caulfield and Katie Atkinson, this isn't just a dry recitation of numbers. It's where data meets discussion, blending Keith's deep expertise in chart mechanics with Katie's pulse on industry trends and stories. You'll hear them unpack the latest Billboard chart movements, figuring out why certain songs are climbing and what surprising shifts might mean. They dive into the week's biggest music news, from major releases and artist announcements to the cultural moments everyone is talking about. Throughout the year, they also provide essential coverage and analysis of major events like award shows and festival seasons, offering context you won't find elsewhere. Whether you're casually curious about the hits or you live for every data point, this half-hour weekly podcast feels like sitting in on a smart, engaging chat between two people who really know their stuff. It’s a direct line to the stories behind the music that defines our playlists.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

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Duration: 25:52
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