Dolly Parton has come forward to address the recent snub of Beyoncé at the Country Music Association (CMA) Awards, particularly in relation to her acclaimed album Cowboy Carter, which features a cover of Parton’s classic song “Jolene.” In an interview with Variety published on September 17th, the legendary country artist shared her insights on the 2024 CMA Awards nominations.

Parton acknowledged the multitude of talented artists in the country music scene, suggesting that the CMAs may have prioritized those who have dedicated their careers to the genre. “You never know; there are so many wonderful country artists,” she remarked. “I guess the country music field thought, well, we can’t really leave out some of the ones that spend their whole life doing that.”

Despite Beyoncé’s exclusion, Parton praised Cowboy Carter, referring to it as a “wonderful album” and affirming that Beyoncé has much to be proud of. She emphasized that the country music community has largely welcomed the superstar, indicating that the snub was not an intentional slight.

Parton also touched on the significance of both Beyoncé and Post Malone in the country sphere, expressing her willingness to collaborate with artists across genres. She highlighted Beyoncé’s authentic country roots, stating, “She’s a country girl in Texas and in Louisiana, so she grew up with that base.”

The discussion around Beyoncé’s snub is especially poignant considering that the inspiration for Cowboy Carter stemmed from her own feelings of exclusion in the industry. In March, Beyoncé noted on Instagram that the album was born from an experience where she did not feel welcomed, which motivated her to explore the rich history of country music.

Overall, Dolly Parton’s remarks underline the complexities of genre boundaries and the importance of inclusivity, celebrating the contributions of artists like Beyoncé and Post Malone to the evolving landscape of country music.