Dolly Parton and the late Tom Petty shared a protracted historical past, courting again to the Eighties when Petty appeared on Parton’s TV selection present.
Most just lately, Parton recorded the lead single, “Southern Accents,” for the album “Petty Country: A Country Music Celebration of Tom Petty,” which pays homage to the legendary musician.
“It picked me,” Parton stated, referring to the only. “I loved Tom Petty and that was not a song that was one of his big records, but he did it on stage and it always tore the house down. People loved it. Because he was a Southern boy.”
Petty’s daughter, Adria, visited the set throughout Parton’s video shoot for “Southern Accents,” bringing alongside her daughter Everly. The video options Petty’s residence motion pictures and heirlooms, making it a deeply private tribute that helped join Parton to the second.
“I just sang my song and I could feel and see all those things around me and all the artifacts that they had there, his guitar, his clothes,” stated Parton. “And I just thought, ‘Well, I hope he’d be proud of this.'”
Star-studded forged of country artists
The album options a formidable lineup of country music’s largest stars, including Dierks Bentley, Luke Combs, Wynonna Judd, Lainey Wilson, George Strait and Willie Nelson. Chris Stapleton stated he was drastically influenced by Petty’s “Wildflowers” album.
“Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers is an influence on every country act that has existed since they were a band,” stated Stapleton. “There were no skips, you know. It’s kind of my barometer for: this is the goal.”
He selected to cowl “I Should Have Known It” from Petty and the Heartbreakers’ “Mojo” album and stated it was quite a bit to study.
In the summer season of 2017, shortly earlier than Petty’s passing, Stapleton had the chance to fulfill and open for him. It was throughout this occasion at Wrigley Field that Stapleton first met Heartbreakers guitarist Mike Campbell.
“We had to traipse through their dressing room to get to the stage … [Mike] was looking for a shirt or something,” Stapleton stated, laughing.
Campbell discovered it ironic that they met this manner, provided that years later, with Stapleton’s band headlining at Wrigley Field, he invited Campbell to open for them—an ideal match for the 2.
“It’s beautifully poetic,” stated Campbell.
Campbell on tribute to his “brother”
Petty and the Heartbreakers emerged from Gainesville, Florida, bringing their country influences with them.
“There’s country strains in our DNA,” Campbell stated. “The country music that influenced me and Tom was George Jones, Loretta Lynn, and Dolly Parton.”
Campbell additionally performs on “Petty Country” with Margo Price, protecting the track “Ways to Be Wicked,” which he co-wrote.
“I’m really proud of the song legacy. That’s why I’m glad they did the country album. It reminds people that, hey, Tom was a great writer,” stated Campbell.
He admitted to lacking Petty deeply, reflecting on their shut relationship and the quite a few songs they wrote collectively. Performing these songs now brings a mixture of pleasure and bittersweet feelings for Campbell, who stated he typically will get choked up whereas singing the lyrics, feeling Petty’s presence.
“I love my brother. And he’s always with me, you know,” stated Campbell.
The album “Petty Country” serves as a therapeutic tribute for each the artists and the followers.
“It’s emotional but it’s good,” Campbell stated. “For the crowd too, I think. Because we all miss him.”
