Within a career spanning nearly 70 years, Dolly Parton never had a shortage of collaborators and duet partners, from her first musical companion her uncle Bill Owens, and everyone from early mentor Porter Wagoner, Kenny Rogers, Bill Anderson, Willie Nelson, her former Trio bandmates Emmylou Harris and Linda Rondstadt, and many more artists throughout the decades.
Along with collaborations with more contemporary artists like goddaughter Miley Cyrus, Post Malone, Pitbull, and more, there’s one country artist Parton hopes to reunite with for another project: Keith Urban.
“I think our voices are just beautiful together,” said Parton of Urban in a 2023 interview.
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“The Twelfth Of Never”
The two first collaborated on a remake of Johnny Mathis’ 1956 hit “The Twelfth Of Never,” for Parton’s 2005 album Those Were The Days.
“I did a song with him [Urban] years and years and years ago,” said Parton. “So, I’d still love to someday do a great song with Keith – a great duet – I think our voices would be perfect together. But I’m sure any number of them [Australian singers] would make great duet partners.”
Since their collaboration, Urban has released eight albums from Love, Pain & the Whole Crazy Thing in 2006 through his twelfth, High, in 2024. Parton was also busy, releasing eight of her own, including her 2023 release Rockstar, following her induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
“I love Keith Urban. I’ve always thought that he was one of the most talented and cutest guys in the world,” Parton said. “I’m not trying to hit on him. He’s got Nicole (Kidman), and who could beat that—she’s ‘Jolene,’” joked Parton. “I love his writing and I just think he’s dear, and he reminds me so much of my brothers and my own family from back home… He’d fit right in,” Parton continued. “So, I’d be happy to bake a big ol’ cake for him and spend all afternoon singing songs.”
After hearing Parton’s offer, Urban posted a video message to Parton. “Ms. Dolly, I’m so honored of the things you said,” said Urban. “Thank you. I definitely will have a cake with you.” Kidman interjected, “I’ll bake the cake with you. But don’t take my man.”
Urban added, “We love you, Dolly. We love you. I would love to have cake with you, and I would love to do a song with you sometime. Let’s do that.”
Photo: Dolly Parton (l) and Keith Urban performing in 2006. (Beth Gwinn/Redferns)
