Kat Luna Celebrates Dolly Parton's Legacy at the Nashville Symphony

On opening night of Dolly Parton's Threads: My Songs in Symphony, Amanda Adams sits down with Kat Luna inside the Nashville Symphony for a special conversation celebrating one of country music's most beloved artists.

While Dolly wasn't able to attend opening night, Kat was honored to be part of the celebration, lending her voice to a show inspired by one of her biggest musical influences. Recorded inside one of Nashville's most iconic performance venues, this episode is part of a special three-part Nashville Symphony series exploring Dolly's impact on today's artists.

Just days after closing CMA Fest 2026 at Nissan Stadium, Kat reflects on performing Dolly Parton's legendary "I Will Always Love You" in front of more than 50,000 fans and what it means to carry one of the most recognizable songs in music history into a new generation.

Kat also shares her journey from growing up in Miami as a first-generation Cuban-American to building a career in Nashville, why staying connected to her roots matters, and how Dolly's example has influenced both her music and her life.

Plus, Kat's version of "I Will Always Love You" arrives on all streaming platforms June 19. Be sure to pre-save, stream, and download the song to support this beautiful tribute to Dolly's enduring legacy.

This episode is part of a special three-part series celebrating Dolly Parton's Threads: My Songs in Symphony at the Nashville Symphony.

Topics discussed:
• Opening night of Dolly Parton's Threads: My Songs in Symphony
• Closing CMA Fest 2026 at Nissan Stadium
• Performing "I Will Always Love You" for more than 50,000 fans
• Recording the song in both English and Spanish
• Dolly Parton's influence on a new generation of artists
• Growing up as a first-generation Cuban-American
• Building a career in country music while staying true to your roots

Follow That Nashville Girl for more conversations with the artists, songwriters, and storytellers shaping Nashville and country music.

Don't forget: new episodes drop every Tuesday with bonus episodes on Thursdays! Like and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts to make sure you never miss a minute!

Connect with Amanda on That Nashville Girl Instagram, Amanda's Instagram, and YouTube.

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:09

You sing this at Nissan Stadium. You closed out CMA Best.

SPEAKER_02 0:13

Dolly's song is just so recognizable. That's the hardest song I've ever sung and that's why I decided to tackle it, because I love a challenge.

SPEAKER_00 0:18

This song is coming out. I will always love you. Kat's version. This Bangladesh version. You're taking country music and you're really bringing your Cuban roots into it.

SPEAKER_02 0:27

So we call it Vaquera Country, which is Cowgirl Country.

SPEAKER_00 0:30

Spanish music and country music make sense. Honestly, it's like a puzzle piece. It's so similar. The more we can realize that music brings us together, it's like I don't need to understand the words to this one. Exactly. But you feel it, you know?

SPEAKER_02 0:42

You don't have to understand the words. As long as you stay authentically yourself, the right people are gonna gravitate towards you, and it's always gonna work because there's only one you.

SPEAKER_00 1:15

Thank you for being here. Thank you for having me. This is so incredible for you to be here with us and for you to sing I Will Always Love You here at the Symphony. You're just kind of checking off all of the magical places to play the song in Nashville. It's insane. I love it. So I just, you know, for the audience to know that that's watching at home, we all like Nashville collectively fell when you sang I Will Always Love You at Nissan Stadium. You guys were mic drop, absolutely. Like just I don't even know how you do that. We'll talk about that later. But it was incredible, and this is one of those songs that I always say nobody should do it because it's really hard. But it's yours. And I think Dolly would probably agree that now it's it's also yours. Um so you're gonna release it. What's the release date? June 19th. June 19th. Oh my gosh, we're so close. I know we're so close, I can touch it. We're so close, it makes me so excited. So it's just it's really beautiful. I love the Spanish and English version, and we're gonna talk about that in our conversation, but for now, I'm so pumped for people to hear Kat Luna, I will always love you, with Isaac and James. And I think, you know, this is a quite a trio. You guys are incredible. Oh, it's so much fun. They're y'all are so good. So anyway, I'm gonna get off the stage and go over there and just sob a little bit while you sing, okay? Y'all ready?

SPEAKER_01 2:28

Cat Luna I'll take it with me.

SPEAKER_00 6:05

Thank you so much. This is so crazy. Like like, where are we right now? Where are we? We're at the Nashville symphony. But even crazier to me is that I don't even know a day. I think it's Tuesday. Yes. And so I met you like a week ago two weeks ago, like 10 days ago or something like this. Yeah, not even. Because I nearly have told pretty much everyone since. I'm like, oh my gosh, like you stood up there. How many people were in Yson Stadium? I think it was like 50,000 or something like that. 50,000 people. I think you're right. I read it was like 50, 55k. Something like that, yeah. And and it was Sunday night was such a good crowd. It was very good. But you so for people who were not there, CMA Fest, you closed out CMA Fest Sunday night.

SPEAKER_02 6:50

It was the last year in that stadium, but I didn't realize it till after I played it. It was like, you know that that's the last time. And it was just like a holy cow moment for me.

SPEAKER_00 6:58

You didn't know. And you stood up there, so this was, and I get to let's just talk about it. Let's just replay it for a second. You stood up there on the platform stage. I think that's the coolest stage of all of CMA Fest. It's just because it's so intimate. It is, but like also crazy because there are 50,000, 55,000 people. But what was crazy to me is that that has to be very difficult. You've got the echo. Okay, walk me through this because you acted like you were singing in like your living room, no big deal.

SPEAKER_02 7:29

I always try to, for me, for big shows like that, I always try to feel like it's just me and a couple people in the room. It's not as many as there are. And it just helps me lock in a little bit better and just not take it so seriously. Yes, it's a serious thing that you're doing, but it's you have to have fun. If you're not having fun up there, people are gonna know that. And the show's not gonna be as good, you know?

SPEAKER_00 7:47

No, it's so true. And I watched you, in fact, I have a video um of you that I won't post it, but I'll share it with you. I'll send it. Um, but it was adorable because before you guys were just you're up there and you were kind of just dancing. Oh yeah, Feddy Wapp was up there on top. When was I ever gonna see him? I didn't know I was gonna see him in Nashville.

SPEAKER_02 8:05

I'm like, what the heck?

SPEAKER_00 8:06

It was crazy. So and you were just like living in the moment, like you were as if you were just like there like the rest of us. And I Because I am. Yes, I am. You were getting great to sing Acapella, the hardest song, the one song that went on reality TV. People start to sing it, and I'm like, no, no, do it, don't do it. And then you get up there, and I was like, Oh my gosh, oh my gosh. And I turned to the girl that was with me and I said, You need to video this because she's not from Nashville, so you need to video this. This is about to be really good. And it was. Thank you. And I cried. Jess was standing there beside me, your manager, and we didn't know each other, and I was like crying, freaking out. Um, yeah, but you didn't freak out.

SPEAKER_02 8:48

No, I feel like for me, I don't ever really freak out. It's just like I thank God every single day that I get to do what I love, and it's just a blessing to get to be up there. And if that song or whatever other songs that I sing touch somebody and help somebody through whatever they're going through, then I know I did my job. So I just take it as that, and that's how I don't get scared, and that's how I don't get nervous because it's more than me, you know?

SPEAKER_00 9:10

Yes, yes. Well, you felt it in every word of both songs because you did one of your own songs as well. It's called That Girl, which is funny because your podcast, it's crazy. Oh my gosh, it's a new theme song. Well, you know, like we're all that girl. We're all that girl, that national girl. We're all that girl. And yeah, your favorite. I so then I went down the Cat Luna rabbit hole and I was like, who is this goddess of country music? And I'll also tell you that like my friends actually didn't believe it when I was I posted a picture of us. Like, do you know her? Because I do not ask for fan pictures. Like, I'm not a girl that's like, hey, can I take a picture with you? Like, as a you're the artist and I'm this fan girl. But I had to because I was like, I'm here for something big. I know this is like a moment that everybody is discovering Cat Luna.

SPEAKER_02 9:55

It's it's insane. I still can't even believe that I did it. I think the next day I was driving and I started crying because I'm like, there's no, I think it hit me the next day. It's always like a delayed thing. And I was in the car and I was like, I can't believe I did that, and I got to be there and do that, and it'd be the last day for Nissan Stadium. And I saw all the fan videos afterwards and I was just crying. I'm like, everybody posting and reposting, and they felt it too. It was insane.

SPEAKER_00 10:18

Everybody felt it. I'm gonna start crying to thinking about it. Because it was like a collective freak out. And I think what was wild was that like it it became so silent. It wasn't like that was the weirdest part, and like you can't so for our ears, we have to blast it.

SPEAKER_02 10:33

Yeah. So it was like me screaming in my own ear, but you had to because of the the delay in the stadium, nobody really really tells you that there's gonna that's gonna happen. And I remember the sound guy, his name was Feg King, we love you. Um Yeah, I mean, because he wow. He's like blast it in your ears, you have to. And for sound check, I kind of did, but I didn't really do it all the way, and I can still hear myself. And then when it was came time to the actual time for the show, I blasted and thank god I did, because if not, it was like the Grinch in the cave. It's like, hello, how are you? How are you? It was like that.

SPEAKER_00 11:03

Yes, it's an insane echo in this. It's crazy, and especially the way that you guys had this just really cool, like stripped down, just such an amazing situation that I just feel like I don't know, I think that's gotta be the hardest thing to do. That or maybe the national anthem.

SPEAKER_02 11:21

Both of them I feel like go right right there. Cause I feel like this, I mean, the national anthem is an incredible song. It is the Americ like the USA song. Yeah. Love it. And then Dolly's song is just so recognizable, and that's the hardest song I've ever sung, and that's why I decided to tackle it because I love a challenge. So and I love Dolly.

SPEAKER_00 11:39

Oh, I mean, okay, so let's talk about Dolly because Dolly is also, I feel like, such a wild, like, this is when you just know things were meant to be. Because you sing this at Nissan Stadium, and then this threads, the Dolly and Symphony opening. What the heck? What the heck? And so, of course, I was like, Will you please help me on my podcast? And you said yes, which was great. We were gonna talk about it. Thank you for that. But then this opportunity came up, and I was like, Well, obviously, this is like, Well, do you want to come sing it at the National Symphony stage too?

SPEAKER_02 12:10

Is that even a question? I'm like, was that even a question? You know, I was gonna say yes. If I didn't say yes, it'd be crazy.

SPEAKER_00 12:14

And with your travel schedule, you were like, I'm making it work. It was the coolest. Like you've been everywhere, but now you're here. Um, and I just like, what does it feel like now? It because Dolly's so iconic. But now you've taken this iconic song, and I truly feel like you've made it your own. And I just feel like Dolly would have to be so proud. So, so proud. I I mean I wish she was sitting here with us maybe next time. Maybe next time, yeah. Because you you do it so much justice, but it's also now yours. And thank you. Spanish and English is like, it's just stunning. Thank you. Okay, so I don't need you to tell me all of it. Like, how did you decide to record the song? Oh my goodness.

SPEAKER_02 12:54

So I I've loved that song my whole life, and I've loved Dolly. I grew up on Dolly, and I remember me and Jess were talking about it, and she's honestly the one that was like, You should do it. And I'm like, I don't know, it's a really hard song, I don't know if I really want to. And she's like, do it. And then I was like, you know what? You miss all the opportunities you don't take. So we did it and we went in the studio and we kind of tried to see how we can make it my own because that song is so iconic.

SPEAKER_00 13:14

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 13:15

And Whitney obviously has an incredible version that I love, but I wanted to stay true to my country roots and to my Latin roots as well. I wanted it to be an extension of myself. So when people heard it, they were like, oh, they got a piece of me and got to know a little bit about me when they heard the song.

SPEAKER_00 13:28

Yeah, I'm like seriously gonna cry a lot after this interview. It'll be a delayed reaction for me too because it's so beautiful because you grew up in Miami, but you're first generation Cuban American. Yes. And I I just love that you were able to weave so much into this because you do feel it. Thank you. How did you get started in music? Like, do you come from a musical family?

SPEAKER_02 13:49

Not at all. No, my dad will say that he sings in the shower, but it's not that good.

unknown 13:53

Okay.

SPEAKER_00 13:54

And nobody else. So, how did you discover that you were a good singer?

SPEAKER_02 13:57

Oh my gosh. I don't even know if it was like a good singer thing. I think I just loved it from such a young age. And like my grandma would sing in the kitchen while we were making food together, and my grandfather did play guitar, but nobody sang and took that as a job or a serious thing. And I just, I don't know, I just had a pull to music my whole life. And then as I got older, I went to music school. My parents were like, oh wait, she can actually do this. And ever since that, it's been the rest is history for me.

SPEAKER_00 14:24

And your grandpa, you mentioned your grandpa. I've heard you talk about him. So he was like a Cuban cowboy. Is that the right thing to say? No, it's right. I mean, that's what I call him.

SPEAKER_02 14:34

He's still alive. He came to the Nissan thing, he was crying. All of us were crying, yes. He was there. And I wore my hat to like honor a piece of him. And then my artist's last name is Luna, because my grandmother when that passed away, that was would always sing in the kitchen and stuff like that. She's a huge part of my love for music. She helped me name my first guitar Luna.

SPEAKER_00 14:52

Oh.

SPEAKER_02 14:53

So that's why it's Kat Luna. She always is, yeah.

SPEAKER_00 14:56

Yeah. Well, so you grew up in sort of this. I mean, it's an interesting thing because like we think of Miami, and um, and honestly, you you kind of think of Pitbull. Like he now is in the past. I'm sorry, but he is like, it's that, you know, worldwide. And he has a song with Dolly. So I'm just saying maybe you're next. You just told me today, and I'm like, I know. I hope I'm next. I think some people in Miami are gonna be like, wait, Dolly call me that. Yes, yes, you probably in Pitbull. Okay, that'd be crazy. Because I think you and I can manifest some things. We can. Yeah. So, but you when you think of Miami, especially for people who haven't been there, and what you see on TV is like the reality shows and things like this. Yeah. It's like you don't think of cowboys.

SPEAKER_02 15:39

There's so many farmland, like there's so much farmland out there, there's so many farmers, there's so many cowboys out there, and I feel like people don't typically think of that. They think the beach, they think the clubs, and it's like Miami's so much more than that.

SPEAKER_00 15:50

So you grew up in a different part of Miami. I mean, in the way that you're like your grandpa has a farm. Yeah. Like what kind of farm?

SPEAKER_02 15:56

He had like a bunch of horses and stuff like that. He didn't have crazy farm animals or anything, but he had a lot of horses and grew up on that. And he used to love watching Western movies. Couldn't understand a dang thing, but he loved watching Western movies, and I obviously could speak English, so I'd watch them with him and then the songs would play, and it was a bunch of like old timey country songs, and I just fell in love with the storytelling behind it and just how badass cowboys are.

SPEAKER_00 16:18

Mm-hmm. I know. We love cowboys. Uh, I mean, we really do, even the ones that are pretended on Broadway, you know. Don't love those, but but you know, I love the effort.

SPEAKER_02 16:27

The effort is there, the effort is there, and that's all that matters, you know?

SPEAKER_00 16:29

And you know the reason they're intimid they're imitating, right? Is that like we all think cowboys are cool. They're cool. So I think it's really fun that you like you're living that life after you've lived like so many lives already because you've done so many things. So you're really doing this cool thing with what you're doing in Nashville. I mean, I think that you're taking country music and you're really bringing your Cuban roots into it. And I just feel like it's different.

SPEAKER_02 16:55

It is very different, but it's who I am, and it's really fun. And I so we call it Vaquera Country, which is cowgirl country.

SPEAKER_00 17:02

I love it.

SPEAKER_02 17:03

But it's like I wanted to do it in Spanglish.

SPEAKER_00 17:05

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 17:05

Of course. So I call it Vaquera Country. Yeah. It's really fun.

SPEAKER_00 17:09

I mean, that makes total sense because you have versions of songs that you've done, like your version with Spanglish, and I love it.

SPEAKER_02 17:16

It's just an extension of who I am, you know? And I want people to feel that. I like it. I want a shirt. I got you, girl.

SPEAKER_00 17:24

You have that on a shirt?

SPEAKER_02 17:25

Uh I have Baquetta Country on the back. Get out. I need one. Yes, you do. I have it on the back of my shirt right now, but I'm not gonna turn around. This would be an awkward angle. That would be awkward.

SPEAKER_00 17:33

But I might have to have one. Yeah. Okay, well I'll start my Duolingo immediately.

SPEAKER_02 17:37

Yes.

SPEAKER_00 17:38

Okay.

SPEAKER_02 17:39

It's a it's a it's a you need to know Spanish. No, I'm just kidding. You don't.

SPEAKER_00 17:42

No, no, I really don't.

SPEAKER_02 17:43

You don't, it's okay. I'll teach you.

SPEAKER_00 17:45

Okay. In all your free time. So you move to Nashville, you start this journey. And I just have to ask you, because I do think this town is pretty, pretty hard, and sometimes it's hard for women. Yeah. And now you bring an entirely different element to it because you're Cuban American and you've got this um this different spin on country music. Tell me a little bit more about how that, like, did the industry welcome you, or did you feel like you had to kind of break some walls?

SPEAKER_02 18:13

Oh my gosh, I feel like being a woman in the industry, you do have to break through some walls. But I feel like this is something that I've always told myself, my parents told me, as long as you stay, as long as you stay authentically yourself, the right people are gonna gravitate towards you and it's always gonna work because there's only one you.

SPEAKER_00 18:29

That is good advice. Thanks, Mom and Dad. Yeah, okay, wait, we need that again. Say it one more time. Okay, so your parents' advice was because I want everybody to that was really good. Oh, thanks. My parents, I guess, are little wizards. It's really amazing. How to have parents like that. That makes sense that you were able to so to stay authentic to yourself.

SPEAKER_02 18:47

Yeah, you I feel like if you stay authentic to yourself, yes, the road's gonna be hard, but the right people are gonna gravitate towards you and it's always gonna work out. Because there's only one you.

SPEAKER_00 18:55

I totally believe that. I think that's really I think maybe the reason that it's like so um monumental to me to hear that is that I think a lot of times when you're like your parents came here, and that cannot be an easy road. And so I feel like there might have been a place where it would have been easy for them to say stick to the straight and narrow, do it a certain way. Because they know that those those struggles are real. And um so that's really I think maybe even more powerful that they were kind of like, no, be you.

SPEAKER_02 19:31

Oh yeah. I feel like being the black sheep is the best kind of sheep.

SPEAKER_00 19:35

Me too. No, I really I love that because I think it makes sense. Again, I mean, this is only the second time we've been around each other, but I could tell pretty quickly. I was like, I I would want to hang out with you. You're the kind of person that is just like, yeah, we're doing this and it's cool, and you roll with the punches. This dude's been crazy, and you're like, cool, whatever. I mean, where do I have to be? Tell me. Like, yeah, and then you just get up on that stage and sing like like it's really just no big deal to sing I Will Always Love You, Acapella.

SPEAKER_02 20:02

It was honestly like before getting to do it, and I think all the reps that I've done in the rehearsals has made it easier to tackle, but it's still one of the hardest songs I've ever sang.

SPEAKER_00 20:12

Yeah. And then how did you decide which parts to do in English and which parts to do in Spanish?

SPEAKER_02 20:18

Oh my gosh. So my producer and I, we just got into the room and we just started, it's like honestly, it's like a puzzle piece and trying to see where it fits best and where it just you still feel the beauty and the magic behind the song, and that the translation doesn't take away from that. And finding that balance was tricky, it took a couple days, but once we got it, we were like, okay, we got it.

SPEAKER_00 20:38

Like, this is it.

SPEAKER_02 20:38

This is it.

SPEAKER_00 20:39

How do you keep that in your brain of like you s I mean, I know that being bilingual, I just I just don't understand it because I'm not, obviously. People are gonna rip me to shreds in this episode. There's like she doesn't know anything about Miami, she doesn't know. No, but I'm very curious because I really think that that's interesting too. Like, how do you go back and forth in the song like that?

SPEAKER_02 20:57

Oh my gosh, I feel like growing up in Miami, it is a Spanglish place. Like you're going in and out, back and forth. And for me, it's just like second nature.

SPEAKER_00 21:04

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 21:05

So me putting myself in this song was I have to do Spanglish. Yeah. It's who I am.

SPEAKER_00 21:11

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 21:11

And honestly, I don't even think twice about it. Like, if she's heard me get on the phone with my grandma and my mom, it's like back and forth.

SPEAKER_00 21:17

It's amazing. It's crazy. I'm so jealous. I think it's so cool. If I had children, I'd be like, You are learning Spanish. Absolutely. I think it's just the coolest thing ever. But I also feel like this is such like a cool thing in country music right now because you're pushing this forward. Angie K is bringing this forward. Like, we're having, I think, kind of a moment with like there's a moment where people are starting to go, yeah, like actually Spanish music and country music make sense, you know.

SPEAKER_02 21:42

It's so similar. I feel like we have so many things that are the same. It's just not talked about enough. And I hope that me and everybody else that's doing it brings it forward and it comes it becomes a part of the country music conversation.

SPEAKER_00 21:54

I do too. I hope so too. And I think you know, it's a tricky thing because sometimes we, in fact, I I find myself Self-doing it now. I'm like, we stumble over things because we live in. I talked about this recently with an artist who um he's Korean and cool. Very cool. And we were talking about how like we kind of stumble over things because things are not talked about. So you said it. It's like, okay, maybe we don't talk about this because we don't know sometimes how to ask questions that don't sound dumb.

SPEAKER_02 22:18

And none of them are dumb because I feel like every question leads you to more understanding.

SPEAKER_00 22:23

Yes. And we need more of that. Because I do think that like the more we can realize that that music brings us together, it's like I don't need to understand the words to the song. Exactly. Thankfully, I know every word I will always love you. So that takes it in a different place. But yeah, you know, I remember um you're probably too young for this, but Selena. Oh no, I love her. She's a queen. I love Selena. I love her so much. Rest in peace, sweet girl. But um, I remember watching that movie and thinking, oh my gosh, like I wanted to learn all the words to every song because it was just such a vibe. It's so fun. I didn't know any of it, you know. But you feel it, you know.

SPEAKER_02 22:59

You don't have to understand the words. No. And that's like the goal, I feel like, for what we're doing.

SPEAKER_00 23:03

Yeah, I do too. So I'm excited that you're bridging this gap. I mean, it needs to be done. I know. So crazy that this song is coming out. I will always love you. Kat's version. The Spanglish version. The Spanglish version is June 19th. It's right there. I feel like I can touch it. I know. It's right there. I'm so excited. It's gonna be incredible. And I just looked back at the screen and Dolly turned around and looked just quickly. Like, there's Dolly. It's insane. It's insane because we're in here while they're still getting ready for opening night. And I think that that's just um beautiful. It's we're sitting here talking about this, and it's like this is such a moment. And you have such incredible music. So you're working on new music as well.

SPEAKER_02 23:41

Yes, I am working on new music. Um, it is all in the works right now. We're in the studio recording them, and just I want to release songs that mean a lot to me and that I know are gonna mean a lot to other people, and that you're gonna help people through hard times or good times, and they can turn it on no matter what journey they are in in their life and feel something.

SPEAKER_00 24:00

Yeah. So we have some. You just released a song, is it two boots?

SPEAKER_02 24:03

Yes.

SPEAKER_00 24:04

Yeah, that's great. That one's pretty new. The other one that I absolutely love from I think it was from your EP. Yeah. Um, Happiest I've ever been. I love that song. I love that song so much. It's just like such a it takes you through the whole journey. Yeah, it really does. I play that one a lot. It's such a like powerful song to be. Thank you. Yeah, you're welcome. Well, thank you. I mean, you're giving us this great music. Are you kidding me? It's like the best job in the world. I get to just chat with people about their music. Okay, so on tour of the summer, and people can check you out. I mean, Instagram is obviously where we go first. Yes.

SPEAKER_02 24:35

Cat Luna Music. It's Katluna Music. Instagram, TikTok website is at Katluna Music.com. It's all there. And my pre-save link is available right now. Right. Which we get pre-save. They're so important. Please pre-save, please pre-save.

SPEAKER_00 24:47

Yeah, I think in this town we understand how important it is. But for I always say like the casual, like normal music listeners, it's like, no, those pre-saves, it's kind of the new way of us making sure that this song gets out there. And it gets heard. And it gets heard because the algorithms are gonna say, oh, well, this is you know, something people are interested in. So yes, pre-save, always say that. Um, and then also you've got some fun merch. Is it on your website too? Everything's on my website. Love it. Okay. Um, and then you'll just have to come to a show and get it signed by Kat.

SPEAKER_02 25:18

I will, I always I love meeting everybody that listens to my songs and hearing their stories. And I do sign everything. Like I signed watches, belts, boots, everything. I noticed this much immediately.

SPEAKER_00 25:30

You were taking so many pictures with people at the platform stage. You came back to the stage after your performance, and again, you were like, I'm just like you, I'm a fan.

SPEAKER_02 25:38

I'm just a girl, I'm a fan. This is a really cool thing to be a part of, and I wanted to enjoy it as a fan too, because I am.

SPEAKER_00 25:43

Yeah. And you did, and I thought it was beautiful. I did.

SPEAKER_02 25:45

I think the Fetty Lock thing, I was literally just dancing up there because I'm like, I'm just like them. I'm this is literally a concert for me, too, you know. It was an amazing concert that you were part of.

SPEAKER_00 25:52

It was crazy. Last one ever, the last CMA fest at Nissan Stadium ever. It's wild. It is wild. It was so cool that you were like everybody else. You were signing things and just taking pictures, and I think it was really fun. And I think that's something that's really special at CMA Fest is that people get to we get to see you on a big stage like that, and then you just come out and watch other artists.

SPEAKER_02 26:10

I just get to hang out, have a have a beer cocktail, whatever you like.

SPEAKER_00 26:15

Yeah, and just hang out. Yeah, it's amazing. So I will kind of wrap us up with a couple of things about Dolly because we're sitting here and um, you know, it's opening night, and I just feel like Dolly's kind of the thing that brought us together. She is. She's it. So thank you, Dolly. Um, what would you say is like your favorite? I mean, I I will always love you is always your favorite. I would guess, right? Yeah. But outside of that one, if you were like, if Dolly called you today and said, hey, want to do a duet with you. Oh my gosh. What would you pick? Nine to five.

unknown 26:45

Yes.

SPEAKER_02 26:46

I just love how authentically herself she's always been throughout the years and how she's not afraid of that. And just releasing music that just lets you in on who she is even more.

SPEAKER_00 26:56

Mm-hmm. It's so true. You're right. It's all so biographical. Yeah, I love that. Yeah. Okay, last question. So if you and Dolly, okay, you're gonna do this duet. We're just gonna go ahead and manifest this, right? Love it. But if you knocked on wood, I hope this is real wood, y'all. I know, right? I mean we're in the symphony, I feel like it is. And if not, there we go. Yeah, I actually this symphony is wild. All of the wood is from like very special places. It's uh probably a really good idea to knock on this specific symphony wood. Let's just do it again for good measure. Yes. Um, but you know, okay, so let's just manifest that you and Dolly have this duet. Yes. What venue are you dying to play that you haven't played yet?

SPEAKER_02 27:35

The Ryman.

unknown 27:36

Okay.

SPEAKER_02 27:37

You were saying it earlier. I'm like, that's literally why I've not played yet. And that would be a dream. Yeah, me too.

SPEAKER_00 27:41

Well, you're at the symphony now. Nissan last week. Ryman, call her. Opri, call her. It's time. It's time. It's time. And I'm coming. So Jess, just get ready. I'm coming. Our plus one. Plus one, yes. This has been so fun. Thank you for being here.

SPEAKER_02 27:57

Thank you for having me.

SPEAKER_00 27:58

Thank you for singing. I will always love you on that stage down there. And it was just like such a funny. Thank you for inviting me. This is insane. This is insane. I still can't get over this. It's beautiful. I can't wait to come back here and watch you do a full show at the symphony.

SPEAKER_02 28:09

I would love to. That'd be a dream come true.

SPEAKER_00 28:11

Amazing. Your grandpa has to come. Yes, he does. Yes. All right. Well, thank you for being here. And um we'll see you at the next one. Yes.

SPEAKER_01 28:19

Yes. Sometimes a girl's gotta find her way. On her own, free to room, make mistakes.