“A Reminder of What Music is Supposed to Do”: Billy Ray Cyrus Pays Tribute to Dolly Parton with Heartfelt 80th Birthday Message

As Dolly Parton celebrates her 80th birthday today (Monday, January 19th 2026), an array of fellow artists have taken to social media to share best wishes to the country icon.

In honour of her birthday, the ‘9 to 5’ hitmaker has shared a trio of heartwarming, joyful photos of Parton alongside a butterfly cake - including one in which she is hilariously putting out a CGI fire emanating from a proud ‘80’ cake-topper.

One of Parton's former tour-mates and close friends, Billy Ray Cyrus, has commented under the photos to offer a heartfelt message toasting the ‘Islands in the Streams’ icon.

Cyrus underlines Parton's positive impact on the world, both through her discography and her philanthropy, “Happy Birthday Dolly! You're a reminder of what music is supposed to do... bring people together, lift spirits, and tell the truth with heart”.

The ‘Achy Breaky Heart’ chart-topper expresses his thanks to Parton for being such a stellar role model for Cyrus’ daughter and Parton's goddaughter, Miley, “As Miley’s godmother and a guiding light in our lives, your influence goes far beyond the charts... it lives in the lives she’s touched and the generations of fans she’s inspired”. Cyrus closes with a playful sign-off, “Happy birthday, Dolly.
- Your "Romeo" BRC”.

Parton teamed up with Miley - as well as Lainey Wilson, Reba McEntire and Queen Latifah - on Friday in anticipation of her 80th birthday for a revamped rendition of her 1977 classic, ‘Light of a Clear Blue Morning’. The song was released as a means of sending out some rays of hope in the midst of turbulent times, with proceeds going towards Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt in Nashville.

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