Count Dolly as one who’s happy to see Beyoncé on the country charts.
The pop superstar set the music world on fire when she dropped two new songs during the Super Bowl, “Texas Hold ‘Em” and “16 Carriages,” as well as a Western-themed teaser video.
And while she didn’t officially announce that her upcoming album, Renaissance: Act II, would be a “country” album, the latest single has since been sent to country radio (after initially only being serviced to Pop, Adult Contemporary, Rhythmic, R&B, and Urban).
Of course there’s been a ton of reaction surrounding Beyoncé making an entry into country music, as well as plenty of discussion about the genre’s treatment of black female artists.
But one thing’s clear: Beyoncé knows how to get people’s attention.
“Texas Hold ‘Em” recently came in at #38 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart, marking the first time in nearly a decade that a black female artist has appeared on the chart after Mickey Guyton’s “Heartbreak Song” topped out at #45 in 2016, with her “Better Than You Left Me” hitting #34 in 2015.
And this week, Beyoncé scored her first #1 hit in country music when “Texas Hold ‘Em” debuted at the top of the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, marking the first time a black female artist has debuted at #1 on that chart.
But while some country fans are disappointed (and that’s putting it nicely – we’ve read the comments) to see a pop star take the top spot on the country charts, Bey has the public support of one country legend.
Dolly Parton posted a statement to her social media accounts congratulating Beyoncé on her #1 country hit, and expressing her excitement at the upcoming album:
“I’m a big fan of Beyoncé and very excited that she’s done a country album. So congratulations on your Billboard Hot Country number one single.
Can’t wait to hear the full album!”
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Of course you wouldn’t expect anything less than total class and respect from Dolly Parton.
But even in the comments of her Instagram post, folks still had their reservations about Beyoncé’s song:
“I for one think Country Music should sound like Country Music but maybe that’s just me”
“That song is trash. Stop virtue signaling! I’m black and even I know that’s not good country music.”
And Dolly knows a thing or two about crossing genres with her music, after dropping a rock album Rockstar late last year – earning Dolly her highest charting album of her career.
So maybe we’ll be seeing a Dolly/Beyoncé collab in the future?
