First Ladies of Bluegrass release "Bound To Ride" with Dolly Parton

The First Ladies of Bluegrass have released new music in the form of the Stanley Brothers classic, Bound to Ride, featuring a very special vocal guest.

In late August 2026, we lost the great Dolly Parton. Dolly was undeniably important to so many people. Her music, her philanthropy, her attitude, her story, all or in part have commanded the respect and admiration of just about everyone you meet - and with good reason. That admiration extended far, far beyond her country and bluegrass roots.

The evening of her passing, my daughter, who had dressed as Dolly for show-and-tell several years prior, exclaimed at dinner, "Did you know that Dolly Parton was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and didn't feel like she played enough rock and roll to be worthy - so she made a rock album?"

I did not know that. 

Even my Mom (Mum) back in England, who I have never heard mention Dolly Parton, country music, or bluegrass in my life, was saddened, sharing with me that she always loved who Dolly was, and the amazing work that she did, particularly her incredible Imagination Library, which promises free books to children until they turn five years old. 

It's safe to say Dolly was deeply admired far beyond the shores of the United States. 

The following morning, I had to speak with my good friend, Alison Brown, and naturally, we spent some time sharing sentiments and thoughts about Dolly. At some point in the conversation, I enquired, "Did you ever get to work with Dolly?"

"Funny you should ask that," replied Alison, who proceeded to share the story of a soon-to-be-released track, "Bound To Ride," which she had co-produced with her husband Garry West and which featured the First Ladies of Bluegrass. For those not familiar, this supergroup includes Molly Tuttle (Guitar), Becky Buller (fiddle), Sierra Hull (mandolin), Missy Raines (bass), and of course, Alison on banjo.

The track is part of a broader, soon to be released all star tribute album named Where the Soul Never Dies: Celebrating 80 Years of The Stanley Brothers. Alison shared with me that this track was recorded sometime during a COVID surge around late 2022. 

"So wait, did she come to Compass to record, or did you all go out there?" I asked, excited to learn if Dolly had indeed graced the mics of Compass Records' historic studios. 

The result is their own take on this classic Stanley Brothers track. "Bound to Ride" is one of the few tracks in the project that was not recorded live, together in a studio. Instead, the First Ladies recorded their instrumental parts together before sending them to Dolly to record her vocal parts in her own studio, out of an abundance of caution. 

And yet, somehow it is like she was there. 

Do yourself a favor...sit down with a pair of headphones. Lose the distractions for a little over 3 minutes. Close your eyes, listen to this track all the way through, and then try to tell me that Dolly Parton wasn't in that room with them. 

I know, I know...in this magical, technology-focused world we live in, of course anything is possible, but this is a true example of what made Dolly one of the best. Throughout the entire track, she is having a party, interacting with band members by name, cracking jokes...and yet did it on her own, without even being there. 

And aside from it being Dolly's first posthumous release and the obvious thrill of hearing her doing what she does best one more time, "Bound to Ride" is a testament to Dolly Parton - the consummate professional in every sense of the word. 

Before we hung up, Alison said to me, "I am going to send this to you. Listen to it and tell me what you think, but promise to listen to the very end - you'll get a kick out of it."

And sure enough, even after the music stops on this track, there is Dolly, having fun, making jokes, and being the wonderful human we all came to know and love. 

Thank you, Dolly. 

Where the Soul Never Dies: Celebrating 80 Years of The Stanley Brothers will be released on October 16th, 2026.