Ella Langley is having a huge year in country music, but during her latest concert, she turned the spotlight toward one of the genre’s greatest legends.
On Friday, August 28, the Alabama-born singer honored the late Dolly Parton during her Dandelion Tour stop at Neville Arena at Auburn University. Langley performed a powerful, rock-inspired version of Parton’s classic hit Jolene, giving the beloved song a fresh sound while paying tribute to its legendary creator.
Before starting the song, Langley told the crowd that the concert “didn’t feel right” without doing something to honor Parton, who died on August 25 at age 80.
Rather than simply copying Parton’s original 1973 recording, Langley gave Jolene a much heavier treatment. Her band brought in loud guitars and a strong rock edge as Langley delivered the famous plea with plenty of emotion.
A fan who captured the performance and shared it online called it one of the favorite moments of the night. Other viewers quickly praised Langley for remembering Parton during her show.
“Paying tribute,” one fan wrote.
“You’re amazing,” another added.
“Love that she did this,” someone else commented, while another fan praised the performance, saying Langley “crushed it all for DOLLY.”
The tribute came at an especially meaningful moment for Langley, who is enjoying one of the biggest years of her young career.
Her hit Choosin’ Texas has remained at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 for an impressive 19 weeks on the chart dated August 29. The run puts Langley alongside Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus’ Old Town Road and Shaboozey’s A Bar Song (Tipsy) for the second-longest No. 1 run in the chart’s history.
Choosin’ Texas has also set a record for the longest uninterrupted run at No. 1, according to Billboard. Only Mariah Carey’s All I Want for Christmas Is You has spent more total weeks at the top, with 22 weeks across multiple holiday seasons.
With Choosin’ Texas still holding a strong lead, Langley could potentially move even closer to Carey’s record in the weeks ahead.
But for one night in Auburn, Langley put her own history-making success aside and celebrated the woman who helped shape country music for generations.
Parton’s influence continues to be felt across the country music world following her death. Fellow artists, longtime friends and younger performers have all found their own ways to honor her music and legacy.
Langley’s decision to perform Jolene was particularly fitting because the song remains one of Parton’s most recognizable recordings. By giving it a louder, more modern sound, she showed how Parton’s music can still connect with a new generation of country fans.
The tributes to Parton are also continuing at the Grand Ole Opry, a place that held a special meaning in her life. The venue dedicated its August 29 show to the country legend, bringing together artists including Carly Pearce, Kathy Mattea, Molly Tuttle, Dan Tyminski and others. Part of the ticket proceeds will benefit Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.
For Langley, however, the message was simple. During a year when she is making country music history herself, she took a moment to remember the woman whose songs helped pave the way.
And her rocking version of Jolene gave fans one more emotional reminder of just how powerful Dolly Parton’s music remains.
