Dolly Partonloves a challenge!
In Michael Feinstein’s new album titledGershwin Country, out Friday, he reimagines the songs of George and Ira Gershwin through country music — and it includes collaborations with some of the biggest names in the genre.
The title track “Love Is Here to Stay” is a collaboration with Parton, 76, and she tells PEOPLE she “never” thought an opportunity like this would come her way.
“I was honored to be asked to be part of theGershwin Countryproject. I have always loved to listen to all of the Gershwin songs through the years, but never thought I would ever be asked to sing on one,” the “9 to 5” singer says. “I always believed they were better songs than my ability as a singer.”
Dolly Parton.Paul Drinkwater/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty
With the help of Feinstein, 65, and some hard work, Parton was able to figure something out.
“But when Michael asked me to sing with him on the song ‘Love Is Here to Stay,’ I promised I would try. I worked hard, believing I couldn’t do it justice; but Michael kept encouraging me telling me that I was doing fine,” she says. “So when it was done, I was happy that Michael was happy with it.”
She continues, “I hope you will enjoy it. I enjoyed working with Michael. He is a great singer, a great guy and a real pro.”
For Feinstein, this was an opportunity to “amplify” Gershwin’s music through a new lens.
“The best interpreters of lyrics today are country singers,” he explains. “The deeper habitation of a song comes from connecting lyrically to the story and telling it honestly and with simplicity. Country artists are the last bastion of that art,” he said in a press release.
Gershwin County Cover Art.Art Streiber
He continued, “Gershwin Countrywas a chance to amplify and expand the palette of what Gershwin songs said, for I felt they could be heard anew from a different perspective and remain organic. And the thought of creating a Gershwin project with the potential to reach those who have never heard the name and would simply take the songs on face value was too irresistible.”
Below is the full tracklist:
Gershwin Countryis out now.
source: people.com
