In celebration of her milestone 80th birthday on January 19, 2026, global superstar Dolly Parton just released a powerful new rendition of her classic hit, “Light of a Clear Blue Morning” featuring Lainey Wilson, Miley Cyrus, Queen Latifah, and Reba McEntire on the 50th anniversary of writing the song. The single and music video, which also features David Foster on piano and The Christ Church Choir on backing vocals, is out today, just days before her birthday. This recording reimagines the song with a message of spreading love and hope.
Originally written and recorded 50 years ago in 1976 during a period of personal transition and renewed optimism, “Light of a Clear Blue Morning” has long stood as one of Dolly’s most inspirational works. Now, five decades later, Dolly revisits the song for a new generation with a powerhouse lineup of female voices.
"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 says. "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, especially by sharing it with some truly incredible women."
In keeping with the spirit of giving that has defined her career, net proceeds from the song and its accompanying music video will benefit the pediatric cancer research program at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt in Nashville, Tennessee, a longtime partner and cause close to Dolly’s heart.
Written by Dolly Parton, produced by Dolly Parton alongside Kent Wells, and mixed by Chris Lord-Alge, this new rendition also features the legendary David Foster on piano and includes backing vocals by The Christ Church Choir.
The release marks not only a celebration of Dolly’s extraordinary life and legacy, but also a continuation of her lifelong commitment to using music as a force for good.
Dolly launched her "Blue Smoke" World Tour in Rancho Mirage, California, playing to more than 40 audiences across North America, Europe, and Australia.
She mentioned how excited she was to start the tour,
“It’s always great to perform at home in the good ole USA. We’re kicking off our Blue Smoke World Tour right here at home. I love traveling all over the world, but it’s true, there’s nothing like home.”
Dolly toured in support of her 42nd studio album "Blue Smoke," the title of which comes from the Cherokee word "Sha-Kon-O-Hey," which means "Land of the Blue Smoke."
The tour was officially announced on "The Queen Latifah Show" in October 2013.
Dolly starred in the Warner Brothers movie "Joyful Noise." In 2012, during a decade when small towns faced a variety of economic problems, Dolly felt it was high-time for a feel-good movie about "a little town that's going through their problems, like everyone is these days."
Dolly plays G.G. Sparrow in "Joyful Noise," which focuses on a choir member at odds with the choir’s current director, played by Queen Latifah, at a church trying to win a national choral singing competition.
She was particularly excited to work with Queen Latifah.
“I always thought it'd be fun to work with her because everybody just loves her. And she is so cool and she's so funny. We really get along great. There's a great chemistry, which we hoped there would be, and it really comes through. There's a lot of magic in it.”
Many of the funniest parts of the movie are verbal battles between Latifah and Dolly, filled with classic "Dollyisms" like "God didn't put plastic surgeons on earth to starve." Amid the humor, the movie underscores the prevailing theme that people need to come together during hard times.
Dolly wrote three songs for the movie-- "Not Enough," "From Here to the Moon and Back," and "He’s Everything."
