In 2026, Ella Langley has spent much of the year making country music history with the seemingly unstoppable “Choosin’ Texas.” But on Friday night, she made room in her set for the woman whose influence on country music stretches back generations.
Langley paid tribute to the late Dolly Parton during her Aug. 28 concert at Auburn University, delivering a fiery, rock-infused rendition of Parton’s “Jolene.”
The performance came during the first of Langley’s two Dandelion Tour shows at Neville Arena in Auburn, Ala., not far from where the Alabama native grew up. Langley returns to the venue for a second show Saturday night.
Ella Langley Puts a Rocking Spin on Dolly Parton’s ‘Jolene’
@emily.these.daysLast night in Auburn, @Ella Langley said, “Tonight’s show didn’t feel right without doing something like this” and proceeded to sing “Jolene” in honor of @Dolly Parton. One of my favorite moments from the night ? #ellalangley #dollyparton #concert #auburn #fyp
♬ original sound – Emily ?According to a video shared on TikTok following Friday’s concert, Langley explained why she wanted to honor Parton before launching into one of the country legend’s signature songs.
“Tonight’s show didn’t feel right without doing something like this,” Langley said.
Then came “Jolene,” but not quite as fans have heard it before.
Rather than trying to replicate Parton’s original 1973 recording, Langley and her band cranked up the guitars for a heavier take on “Jolene.”
The performance turns the familiar plea into something considerably more muscular, with Langley leaning into the song as the band builds a full-on rock arrangement around her.
The fan who posted video of the performance called it “one of my favorite moments from the night,” and commenters quickly praised Langley for making room in the show to remember Parton.
Related: Ella Langley Leads Country Music to Billboard First That Has Never Happened Before
“Paying tribute ???,” one person wrote.
“You’re amazing ?,” added another.
“Love that she did this ?,” one fan commented, while another declared, “Ella crushed it all for DOLLY ??.”
The performance was particularly fitting for an artist who has increasingly blurred the boundaries between country and rock during her meteoric rise.
And Langley is having quite a rise.
Ella Langley’s ‘Choosin’ Texas’ Is Chasing Hot 100 History
Langley’s tribute to one of country music’s most influential artists comes as the 27-year-old singer is in the middle of a historic run of her own.
“Choosin’ Texas” is spending its 19th week at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 on the chart dated Aug. 29.
That ties Langley with Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus’ “Old Town Road” and Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” for the second-longest No. 1 reign in Hot 100 history.
It also gives “Choosin’ Texas” the record for the longest stay at No. 1 during a single uninterrupted chart run, according to Billboard.
Related: Grand Ole Opry to Honor Dolly Parton With Special Show, 67 Years After She Earned 3 Encores at Just 13
Only one song has accumulated more total weeks atop the Hot 100: Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” which has logged 22 weeks at No. 1 across multiple holiday seasons.
And Langley may not be finished.
Billboard reports that “Choosin’ Texas” continues to hold a substantial lead over its nearest competition, potentially putting Carey’s all-time record within reach if Langley can maintain the song’s remarkable momentum.
For one night, though, Langley turned the spotlight away from her own history-making year and toward one of the artists who helped make that career possible.
Country Music Continues to Say Goodbye to Dolly Parton
Langley’s “Jolene” performance is one of a growing number of tributes to Parton following the country legend’s death.
Linda Ronstadt, who collaborated with Parton on Trio and Trio II, remembered her longtime friend as “the most extraordinary” person, while Parton’s team has revealed that the famously prolific entertainer left behind a roadmap for projects that could continue for “decades to come.”
Parton also left behind a particularly poignant final message for families participating in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library , asking children to keep reading and dreaming.
Even the weather produced an eerie coincidence in the days following her death, when Tropical Storm Dolly formed in the Atlantic, briefly giving Parton’s famous first name another unexpected place in the headlines.
And the tributes will continue Saturday night.
The Grand Ole Opry, where Parton made her debut at just 13 years old in 1959 and became an official member a decade later, is dedicating its Aug. 29 show to the late country legend. The special show will feature Carly Pearce, Channing Wilson, Kathy Mattea, Molly Tuttle, Dan Tyminski, T. Graham Brown, the Opry Square Dancers and Belle Frantz making her Opry debut, along with additional “guest Opry stars.”
A portion of ticket sales will benefit Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.
The tribute livestream begins at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT Saturday on the Grand Ole Opry’s Facebook and YouTube channels, giving fans around the world another opportunity to celebrate Parton’s life and music.
Meanwhile, Langley will be back onstage at Auburn for the second night of her homecoming run.
On Friday, though, one of country music’s biggest stars of 2026 used one of her biggest shows to salute the woman whose songs helped pave the road beneath her.
Related: Dolly Parton’s Final Message to Millions of Children Is Breaking Hearts After Her Death: ‘Promise Me’
Hence then, the article about ella langley honors dolly parton with fiery jolene cover tonight s show didn t feel right without doing something like this was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Ella Langley Honors Dolly Parton With Fiery ‘Jolene’ Cover: ‘Tonight’s Show Didn’t Feel Right Without Doing Something Like This’ )
Also on site :
- Wayfair’s ‘Compact’ Chenille Loveseat Is a ‘Stylish’ Way to Add ‘Cozy’ Seating to Small Spaces, Now 65% Off
- Scott Wolf’s Wife, Kelley Wolf, Breaks Her Silence with Heartfelt Apology 1 Year After Mental Health Crisis
- ‘The Song of Scorpions,’ ‘Qissa’ Director Anup Singh Sets Mumbai Film ‘Lasya: The Gentle Dance’ (EXCLUSIVE)