Taylor Swift began her journey as a country artist. And her self-titled debut album, 'Taylor Swift,' released in 2006, was a showcase of her country roots. It was with her 2012 album 'Red' that the pop star decided to spread her wings and explore new genres in music. Since then, she has ventured into pop, indie, and soft rock, and several mixed-pop genres. However, the warmth of her country roots still shines through in her music. Recently, the songstress received a special shout-out from the queen of country music herself, Dolly Parton.

In a recent interview, Dolly Parton shared why Taylor Swift is such a shining "inspiration" in this era.

Dolly Parton recently had a sit-down with Variety, where she shared her thoughts on new songwriting that really "struck a chord" with her. The Grammy-winning singer gave a big nod to Taylor Swift, applauding her career and the journey from her modest beginnings to becoming the world’s most influential pop star. Parton admired the way Swift has navigated her business and personal life, and the positive impact she has had on so many young people, calling her "a great inspiration."

Parton expressed her pride in all the rising female artists, including Chappell Roan and Sabrina Carpenter. "I think they are all great in their own way," said the 78-year-old. While Dolly Parton has sung the praises of her fellow country artist, Taylor Swift, she took a balanced approach when it came to the latest addition to the genre, Beyoncé.

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Parton recently shared her two cents on Beyoncé’s snub by the Country Music Association, after the record-breaking 'Cowboy Carter' did not earn even a single nomination at the event. 

Dolly Parton, the queen of country music, was recently asked about the alleged cold shoulder given to Beyoncé’s 'Cowboy Carter' by the CMA. However, Parton brushed off the talk of "shutting out" and told Variety that it all comes down to the way the "country charts and the country artists were doing". According to the songstress, the association could not have bypassed those artists who have spent their lives in the genre to give a nod to "a specialty album".

Parton also praised Beyoncé’s work on 'Cowboy Carter,' having been featured on several tracks from the album herself. She even gave the 43-year-old pop star a public shout-out on social media after Beyoncé dropped her version of the 1973 single 'Jolene.' Parton welcomed Beyoncé into country music with open arms while holding up Taylor Swift- who has the most awarded country album in history- as a source of inspiration. 

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