Dolly Parton recently defended the Country Music Association (CMA) after Beyoncé’s country album, Cowboy Carter, was snubbed from this year’s CMA nominations. In an interview with Variety, Parton stated that she didn’t believe the omission was intentional. She speculated that the CMA voters might have focused on artists who dedicate their entire careers to country music, rather than a special project like Beyoncé’s album. Parton also shared that she wasn’t aware of the snub until someone brought it up.
Parton praised Cowboy Carter as a “wonderful album” and expressed pride in being part of it, featuring in a 30-second interlude titled “Dolly P.” She highlighted that Beyoncé has roots in country music, having grown up in Texas and Louisiana, and expressed her belief that the country music community welcomed Beyoncé’s contribution.
Despite its commercial success, including four weeks at No. 1 on the Top Country Albums chart, Cowboy Carter didn’t receive a single nomination. This has raised questions and criticisms about the CMA’s inclusivity, especially given that the album’s lead single, “Texas Hold ’Em,” topped the Hot Country Songs chart for ten weeks.
Parton, however, remains optimistic and even open to collaborating with Beyoncé in the future, saying she would love to perform “Jolene” together. While Beyoncé’s album may have been overlooked by the CMAs, it remains a strong contender for the 2025 Grammy Awards.
