Columbus Musicians Pay Tribute to Dolly Parton

Grindstones and Rhinestones concert at Natalie's Grandview features performances honoring the country music legend

Jan. 28, 2026 at 8:23am

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A tribute concert called "Grindstones & Rhinestones: A Tribute to Dolly Parton" is set to take place at Natalie's Grandview in Columbus, Ohio on Friday, January 30. The concert will feature performances from local musicians Moe Reen, Mery Steel, and the duo Hen & the Crow, who will be covering a wide range of songs from Parton's deep and diverse catalog, including her politically-charged and socially conscious tracks.

Why it matters

Dolly Parton is widely regarded as a cultural icon who has used her platform to address important social and political issues through her music. The tribute concert highlights her enduring influence and relevance, especially in the current climate of immigration crackdowns and social unrest.

The details

The concert will feature a variety of Parton's songs, with the performers each taking on different aspects of her musical style and repertoire. Mery Steel plans to focus on Parton's "hot rippers" like "Sure Thing," while Hen & the Crow's Caroline Crow and Wesley Crow will lean more into Parton's traditional, bluegrass-influenced duets. Moe Reen is expected to cover Parton's emotionally powerful ballads. The performers also plan to collaborate on a joint rendition of Parton's "Farther Along" from her trio album with Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt.

  • The concert is scheduled for Friday, January 30, 2026.

The players

Dolly Parton

A legendary country music singer-songwriter known for her prolific output, socially conscious lyrics, and iconic persona.

Moe Reen

A country singer performing at the Dolly Parton tribute concert.

Mery Steel

A musician participating in the Dolly Parton tribute concert, with plans to cover some of Parton's "hot rippers" like "Sure Thing."

Caroline Crow

One half of the musical duo Hen & the Crow, performing at the Dolly Parton tribute concert and focusing on Parton's traditional, bluegrass-influenced duets.

Wesley Crow

The other half of the Hen & the Crow duo, performing at the Dolly Parton tribute concert alongside Caroline Crow.

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What they’re saying

“And I haven't been able to practice [the song] much, because it makes me really emotional. And I'm definitely thinking about the ICE presence in Columbus and Minneapolis, especially this past weekend, with the second shooting we've seen in two weeks. Being someone who works a lot in the activism space, I write a lot of protest music, and I really look up to Dolly for doing that, as well, and writing about labor and speaking on things that are important to her.”

— Caroline Crow, Musician, Hen & the Crow (Matter News)

“I feel like Dolly Parton is in the foundation of society, where she's ubiquitous and always doing something – writing great songs, working with cool people, and generally just being a good lady. I think she influenced me in the way that she influenced everybody. I think she's just always been here.”

— Mery Steel, Musician (Matter News)

“If you look at her 9 to 5 album, a lot of that is music for laborers, which I think a lot of us working musicians can understand. And there's this Appalachian aspect that speaks to a lot of people from that region, with her stories of mining towns and poverty. There's just something so relatable about that kind of American music, and she does it well.”

— Caroline Crow, Musician, Hen & the Crow (Matter News)

What’s next

The concert 'Grindstones & Rhinestones: A Tribute to Dolly Parton' is scheduled to take place on Friday, January 30, 2026 at Natalie's Grandview in Columbus, Ohio.

The takeaway

Dolly Parton's music and persona have become deeply woven into the cultural fabric, influencing generations of musicians and resonating with audiences through her ability to craft relatable, socially conscious songs. This tribute concert highlights her enduring legacy and the continued relevance of her artistry.