Dolly Parton has recently joined forces with Motley Crue to create a fresh rendition of their iconic 1985 track, “Home Sweet Home.” This collaboration marks another exciting chapter in her ongoing homage to rock music, following her well-deserved induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022, which celebrated her diverse contributions to the music industry.

The legendary country artist has always had a passion for music across various genres. This was evident to Ed Roland, the lead vocalist and songwriter of Collective Soul, who experienced her genre-bending talents firsthand when Parton decided to cover the band’s hit “Shine” from the 1990s in the early 2000s.

Interestingly, Parton faced some skepticism when she first announced her intention to cover “Shine.” In a candid 2003 interview with Rolling Stone, she reflected on her eclectic musical choices over the years, which spanned from George Gershwin to Led Zeppelin’s timeless classic, “Stairway to Heaven.” Despite her history of challenging the music norms, it was her decision to cover “Shine” that raised eyebrows at her record label. “Everyone thought I was nuts when I said I was going to do it, and I won a Grammy off that,” Parton proudly shared with the publication.

Isn’t it fascinating how we sometimes learn significant things from our parents? This was precisely how Roland discovered that Parton had covered “Shine” for her acclaimed album, Little Sparrow. “I was in Arizona at the time, having dinner with friends,” Roland reminisced during a recent chat with UCR. “My father called me from Georgia, which is a three-hour difference, and he said, ‘I just watched David Letterman, and Dolly Parton played ‘Shine.’’ I was initially shocked, wondering why my dad was up so late and watching David Letterman, but I excused myself from the table, saying, ‘I’m going home to watch this.’ It was simply amazing.”

Watch Dolly Parton’s ‘Shine’ Video

Explore Dolly Parton’s Unique Interpretation of ‘Shine’

As with every project she undertakes, Parton invested considerable thought into her interpretation of the song, revealing her genuine admiration for it. “When that record came out years ago, my husband and I were driving in the car when we first heard it,” she recalled in a 2001 interview. “We were so curious about who it was that we went out and bought the album, playing it repeatedly at home for years. I’ve been contemplating how to present it without the traditional rock elements; it has a spiritual quality, and the melody was perfect for bluegrass harmonies. So we decided to experiment with it, and if it didn’t resonate, we wouldn’t include it. But thankfully, it turned out beautifully.”

This creative endeavor came during a time when Parton was eager to broaden her musical horizons and break free from the constraints typically associated with specific genres. She had clear aspirations for her Little Sparrow album. “I didn’t want to be confined solely to bluegrass,” Parton expressed in the same interview. “I was eager to explore more mountain music with an Irish influence. I refer to it as my Smoky Mountain DNA; this music is part of my identity, my life, and my upbringing. These are the songs I grew up singing in the mountains before moving to Nashville in search of a career. Although this genre doesn’t yield much financial reward, it brings me immense joy to return to my roots and perform it.”

How Did Collective Soul Respond to Dolly’s Rendition of ‘Shine’?

There are moments in life when we begrudgingly acknowledge that our parents were right about certain things. Roland had a memorable experience listening to Parton’s interpretation of “Shine“, which provided a fresh perspective. “I truly appreciated the organic feel of her rendition,” he commented. “At that time, I had started getting into the mandolin and exploring more of that bluegrass vibe. I was delving into the genre academically—studying it, rather than playing it. I admire how she infused a more gospel essence into the song, which, at its core, is a gospel tune. If you strip away the heavy riffs and just play it acoustically, it reveals its gospel roots. My dad used to remind me of that, and I’d argue, ‘No, it’s not!’ But when she performed her version, I finally understood.”

Parton continues to embrace her unique style of rock music. Her induction into the Rock Hall inspired her to fulfill a promise to create an authentic rock album, titled Rockstar, released in 2023. This album features an incredible lineup of guest artists, including Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Elton John, and former Journey vocalist Steve Perry, among many others.

READ MORE: Every Rock Song and Rock Star on Dolly Parton’s ‘Rockstar’ Album

What Are the Latest Updates from Collective Soul?

As always, Collective Soul remains active and engaged with their fans. They are currently on tour alongside Live while simultaneously promoting their career-spanning documentary, Give Me a Word: The Collective Soul Story, which is available for on-demand streaming as well as physical media. Ed Roland continues to craft new music for the band consistently. However, he still hopes for an opportunity to thank Parton in person someday. “I sent her flowers. We’ve tried to connect multiple times,” he confirms. “Her schedule is just crazier than mine. But having someone of her songwriting caliber choose a song I wrote and win a Grammy for it is truly an honor.”

Watch Collective Soul’s ‘Shine’ Video

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