Ella Langley’s Return to Her Alma Mater Was Already Special—Then She Made It Unforgettable With a Dolly Parton Tribute
Ella Langley paid tribute to Dolly Parton by performing Parton’s classic ‘Jolene’ during a concert in Auburn, Alabama, where Langley attended university. She told the audience that the show did not feel right without acknowledging Parton, whose death on 26 August prompted widespread tributes across country music. The performance highlighted Parton’s lasting influence as an artist, songwriter and cultural figure.
Langley later praised Parton on Instagram for paving the way for women and creatives in the music industry, describing her as courageous and authentically herself. ‘Jolene’, inspired partly by a red-haired bank clerk and a young fan of the same name, remains one of Parton’s best-known songs. Other artists, including Reba, Kacey Musgraves, Lainey Wilson and Keith Urban, also publicly mourned Parton.
- Ella Langley performed ‘Jolene’ in tribute to Dolly Parton.
- The tribute took place at Langley’s alma mater in Auburn.
- Country artists widely praised Parton’s influence and legacy.
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Dolly Parton is one of country music’s most recognised figures, known as a singer, songwriter, actor and businesswoman. Over a career spanning decades, she has written and recorded songs that have reached audiences well beyond country music.
‘Jolene’, released in 1973, is among Parton’s best-known recordings. The song tells of a woman asking a rival not to take her partner, and has been covered by many artists in different musical styles.
Ella Langley is an American country singer whose career has grown through recent recordings and live performances. Auburn, Alabama, has personal significance for her because she studied at Auburn University there.