Beyoncé's venture into country music has been met with some cool reception from fans and critics. Of the singer's song "Daddy Lessons" from "Lemonade," a CMT columnist shrugged, "Sorry. I just don't hear it ... All of the sudden, everyone's acting like she's moved to Nashville and announced that she's country now. ...If you ask me, this song is no more country than her 'Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It).'" When an Orlando country station aired the number, listeners posted angry messages to the station's social media.
Some feel Beyoncé is getting hate because of her race. Despite the argument the genre has its roots in Black music, only recently have nonwhite musicians gained a foothold in the country world. Meanwhile, there hasn't been this kind of backlash for white country stars who cross over to other styles. Dolly Parton herself recently dropped a collab album, "Rockstar," in which she paired with 40 pop and rock greats to cover classic songs like "Let It Be" and "We Are the Champions." The reviews were middling, but no one dared suggest Parton stop straying from her Tennessee roots.
Dolly's faithful fans heartily agree with her message to Beyoncé. "The [Queen] has spoken. Can we support Bey already? Country is for everyone!" said one Instagram admirer. The good-news outlet Upworthy suggested, "Dolly Beyoncé collab maybe? Just a thought."
