Dolly Parton Marks 80th Birthday With New Music Release and Tennessee State Honor

The singer-songwriter unveiled a newly recorded version of her song ‘Light of a Clear Blue Morning.’

Dolly Parton performs in concert during her "Pure & Simple Tour" in Austin, Texas, on Dec. 6, 2016. Suzanne Cordeiro/AFP via Getty Images

Dolly Parton marked her 80th birthday on Jan. 19 with the release of new music tied to a charitable cause.

The singer-songwriter unveiled a newly recorded version of her song “Light of a Clear Blue Morning,” featuring Lainey Wilson, Miley Cyrus, Queen Latifah, and Reba McEntire.

The single and accompanying music video were announced in a social media post last week. Parton said the release is intended to share a message of encouragement, adding that all net proceeds will benefit pediatric cancer research at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt in Nashville.

The release coincides with the 50th anniversary of the song’s composition. “Light of a Clear Blue Morning” was written in the mid-1970s during a period of transition in Parton’s career and was first released in 1977.

“I wrote this song during a season when I was searching for hope, and fifty years later that message still feels just as true,” Parton wrote in a separate post. “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.”

The release also features David Foster on piano, with backing vocals provided by the Christ Church Choir of Nashville.

“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,” a statement on Parton’s website reads.

Parton’s birthday was also recognized at the state level. Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee signed a proclamation designating Jan. 19, 2026, as Dolly Parton Day, citing her contributions to music, culture, and public service. The proclamation honors Parton’s career and philanthropic efforts and encourages residents across the state to recognize her legacy.

“Dolly Parton’s life and career is woven into Tennessee’s music, culture, and rich history,” Lee said in a statement issued by the governor’s office. “Her talent and generosity have made a lasting impact on the world, and it is fitting that we honor her 80th birthday by celebrating her remarkable legacy and dedication to the Volunteer State.”

Born Jan. 19, 1946, in Sevier County, Tennessee, Parton rose from rural Appalachia to become a globally recognized figure in entertainment. Her career spans more than six decades and includes numerous chart-topping songs, multiple Grammy Awards, induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame, and roles in film and television.

Outside of music and film, Parton has devoted decades to charitable work. Her Dollywood Foundation oversees the Imagination Library, a literacy program that supplies free books to children in communities around the world.