From Appalachia to Africa: Why Dolly Parton was beloved across the continent

Dolly Parton's songs traveled far beyond Nashville. Across Africa, musicians embraced her stories of hardship, heartbreak and humble beginnings — and made them their own.

<img src='https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/5000x3335+0+0/resize/5000x3335!/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F38%2F49%2F8eafbc484b7a8dad967be0d67348%2Fgettyimages-2287054395.jpg' alt='Nigerian country singer Ochiora Okogeri, popularly known as The Country Man, performs Dolly Parton songs during International Cowboy Day celebrations in Nairobi in July 2026.'/><p>Dolly Parton's songs traveled far beyond Nashville. Across Africa, musicians embraced her stories of hardship, heartbreak and humble beginnings — and made them their own.</p><p>(Image credit: Luis Tato)</p><img src='https://media.npr.org/include/images/tracking/npr-rss-pixel.png?story=nx-s1-5946399' />