American country music singer Billy Ray Cyrus has shared a handwritten letter given to him by Dolly Parton in 1992, posting the keepsake on social media on September 28, 2026, to mark Dolly Parton Day.
Cyrus published the note on his official Instagram account, explaining that he chose to reveal the personal message following the September 25 observance honoring Parton.
Describing the letter as one of his most prized mementos, Cyrus noted that it sits alongside a handwritten letter he received from country music legend Johnny Cash. Cyrus stated that he had never shared Parton's letter publicly until now.
In his online post, Cyrus reflected that Brother Cash and Sister Parton belonged together in his collection as the personal thoughts of two of his heroes who took time to write to a kid from Kentucky.
Origin of the 1992 note
The two-time Grammy Award winner revealed that Parton gave him the note a few weeks after they first met in the spring of 1992. Cyrus recalled that his breakout hit single Achy Breaky Heart was just beginning to gain momentum at the time, while his debut studio album Some Gave All had not yet been released.
Cyrus added that shortly after receiving the letter, he and Parton performed the song Romeo together alongside fellow country music singers Tanya Tucker, Kathy Mattea, and Mary Chapin Carpenter.
Released in 1992, Achy Breaky Heart became a chart-topping crossover hit that sparked a widespread line-dancing movement, while Some Gave All went on to spend 17 consecutive weeks at number one on the Billboard 200 album chart.
Decades of musical partnership
The relationship between the two performers deepened over the years, with Parton eventually becoming the godmother of Cyrus's daughter, Miley Cyrus.
Cyrus highlighted their decades of shared memories, spanning television specials and guest appearances on the popular Disney Channel comedy series Hannah Montana, in which Parton played Aunt Dolly alongside Miley and Billy Ray Cyrus.
He noted that more than 30 years after their first meeting, they recorded their final song together, titled Christmas Where We Are. Cyrus concluded his post by writing that the day felt like the right moment to share the note, encouraging Parton to keep shining.
Contents of Parton letter
Cyrus also released the full text of Parton's letter. Addressed to Billy, Parton wrote that she was glad they were working together and mentioned that she had been looking forward to the collaboration for several weeks.
Parton expressed pride in the success Cyrus was experiencing and stated her belief that he was special, wishing him even greater success in the years ahead.
She apologized if she had stammered and stuttered when they first met, adding humorously that she was like all the other girls, only a little older. Parton also thanked Cyrus for offering to sign autographs for her fan group, writing that her fans would love her for it, and assured him that he could reach out to her whenever he needed assistance before signing off with love.
Background of the country icons
Dolly Parton, born in Tennessee, is a legendary country music singer, songwriter, and actress whose career has spanned more than six decades. Known for hit records such as Jolene, 9 to 5, and I Will Always Love You, she is recognized globally as one of country music's most influential artists.
Billy Ray Cyrus, born in Flatwoods, Kentucky, established himself as a major figure in country music during the early 1990s before expanding into acting. Johnny Cash, whom Cyrus referenced in his post, was an iconic American singer-songwriter known as the Man in Black and stands as one of the best-selling music artists in history.
