Article Contributed by AristoPR
Published on 2026-04-17
Country artist Belles unveils her new single “Son of Jolene,” featuring international music legend Dolly Parton – a modern sequel to one of country music’s most iconic songs. This release signals a pivotal moment ahead of Belles’ highly anticipated debut album, set for release in 2026. “Son of Jolene” is available now on all streaming platforms here.
Inspired by the timeless narrative that captivated generations, Belles penned “Son of Jolene” as a clever, character-driven continuation of the classic story, imagining a chance encounter years later with Jolene’s son. Blending vivid storytelling with a modern country edge, the song honors the spirit of the original track while introducing a fresh perspective. “I grew up so inspired by Dolly and the worlds she created through her songs,” shares Belles. “Having her lend her voice to this record is beyond anything I could have imagined. It feels like a full-circle moment and a true honor.”
The collaboration began as a creative spark rooted in admiration. After hearing the track, Parton immediately connected with its concept and recognized it as a natural creative fit. Her enthusiasm ultimately brought the collaboration to life, bridging generations through a shared commitment to great storytelling. "When I heard 'Son of Jolene,' I thought it was very clever. No one had ever thought of it that way," Parton shares. PEOPLE debuted an exclusive feature on the song, offering an inside look at the story and inspiration behind the highly anticipated track, calling it “...the equivalent of a musical and generational bridge being built between the two artists.” [Read here].
Arriving on the heels of Belles’ self-titled EP, “Son of Jolene” signals a defining moment in her ascent as an emerging artist. The six-track collection explores themes of love, heartbreak, resilience, and self-discovery, showcasing the emotional depth and range that have become hallmarks of her songwriting. Belles continues to create music that resonates across generations, fueled by the viral success of her breakout single “Crazy As Me,” which sparked a massive surge in social engagement, driving a 400% increase in streams and reaching over 30 million views on social media, in excess of 2 million Spotify streams, and a No. 3 spot on the iTunes Country Chart.
Making waves in Nashville since 2018, Belles has established herself as a powerful voice in country music, building a formidable digital presence with over 1.5 million followers across social media platforms, including over 760k on Facebook and nearing 500k on TikTok – alongside more than 100 million cumulative views and streams. With a global record deal with East Music Row Records, a publishing agreement with Deluge Music, a management relationship with Red Light Management, and performances alongside artists including Miranda Lambert, Old Dominion, and Jake Worthington, and a debut full-length album slated for release in 2026, Belles’ momentum shows no signs of slowing down.
Belles is hitting the road this summer with her Songs & Stories Tour, bringing intimate, story-driven performances to cities across the U.S., including New York, Atlanta, Austin, Chicago, Seattle, and Portland. Launching May 1 in Bell Buckle, Tennessee, the tour will spotlight the inspiration and real-life stories behind her songs, including her new single “Son of Jolene.”
For more information and to stay updated on Belles, visit https://bellesmusic.com/ and follow her on her social media platforms, including Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok.
About East Music Row Records: East Music Row Records emerged from the minds of David Robkin, Johnny Gates, and Austin Luther, the latter two of whom cut their teeth as Nashville songwriters, artists, and producers, with a goal of blending the hip, innovative sides of Nashville’s new indie rock and alt-country music with the musicianship, professionalism, and ingenuity of Music Row classicists. East Music Row Records artists include Nashville-based Australian alt-pop artist Felicity, Music Row meets East Nashville Country artist Belles, alt-hip hop artist Jyou and Johnny Gates, a multi-genre singer-songwriter, punk and Country artist, East Music Row Records is trying to bring back the glory days of the indie label, signing artists that move them, over chasing numbers, and developing the next big things, all in-house, and as a family.
