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In a career defined by glitter, grit, and unparalleled generosity, Dolly Parton has always found a way to turn personal milestones into gifts for the world. As she approaches her 80th birthday on January 19, 2026, the Smoky Mountain songbird is doing exactly that—releasing a breathtaking new rendition of her 1977 classic, “Light of a Clear Blue Morning.”
This isn’t just a trip down memory lane; it’s a powerful collaborative anthem. Dolly is joined by an elite circle of female powerhouses: Lainey Wilson, Miley Cyrus, Queen Latifah, and Reba. Accompanied by the legendary David Foster on piano and the soaring harmonies of The Christ Church Choir, the track serves as a cross-genre celebration of hope.
A Song of Deliverance
Dolly originally wrote the song 50 years ago during a period of professional and personal upheaval as she struck out on her own from the Porter Wagoner Show. She has long called it her “song of deliverance”, a musical manifestation of the peace that comes after a long, dark night.
“I wrote ‘Light of a Clear Blue Morning’ during a season when I was searching for hope, and fifty years later that message still feels just as true,” Dolly shared. “As I celebrate my 80th birthday, this new version is my way of using what I’ve been blessed with to shine a little light forward.”
Music with a Mission
True to Dolly’s “Volunteer State” roots, the project is a massive philanthropic effort. Net proceeds from the song and its music video will benefit Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt in Nashville. The funds are earmarked for critical pediatric cancer research and care, a cause deeply personal to Dolly, whose own niece was treated for leukemia at the facility years ago.
The impact of the release is bolstered by a wave of statewide celebrations. Tennessee Governor Bill Lee officially proclaimed January 19, 2026, as “Dolly Parton Day,” recognizing her as the state’s “favorite daughter” and honoring her legacy of literacy through the Imagination Library, which now gifts over 2 million books a month globally.
A Global Celebration
While Dolly will not be attending the star-studded “Opry Goes Dolly” tribute at the Grand Ole Opry on January 17—sending a heartfelt video message to fans instead—her presence is felt everywhere. From the neon lights of Broadway in Nashville to fans streaming her music worldwide, the 80th-birthday festivities emphasize that Dolly’s light is only getting brighter.
As the lyrics of her classic hit promise, “It’s been a long time coming, but the dark night is over.” With this new release, Dolly Parton ensures that for children at Vanderbilt and fans across the globe, the morning is looking very bright indeed.
About Dolly: A Diamond in a Rhinestone World
Born the fourth of twelve children in a one-room cabin in Locust Ridge, Tennessee, Dolly Parton’s journey from “dirt poor” to “global icon” is the stuff of American legend. Since arriving in Nashville, the day after her high school graduation in 1964, she has authored over 3,000 songs, including the timeless “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You”, the latter of which became one of the best-selling singles of all time.
Dolly’s career is a masterclass in the “multi-hyphenate” lifestyle. A member of the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, she has earned 11 Grammy Awards and 50 studio albums. Beyond the microphone, she conquered Hollywood in classics like 9 to 5 and Steel Magnolias and built a business empire headlined by the Dollywood theme park. Yet, for all her success, Dolly remains most proud of her heart, recently receiving an honorary Oscar (the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award) for a lifetime of using her “rhinestone light” to lift others up.
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