OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author’s opinion.
Dolly Parton is undeniably the queen of country music, a legendary figure whose influence has reverberated across generations. But alongside her in the spotlight were two other powerful women: Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris. These three icons of country music came together in the late ’80s to release Trio, an album that remains a classic to this day. However, their collaboration on the 1999 follow-up, Trio II, almost never happened — and much of the blame, as Dolly Parton has since admitted, falls on her.
When Dolly, Linda, and Emmylou first entered the studio for Trio II, it was supposed to be a natural extension of the magic they had created with their first album. But behind the scenes, tensions between the three began to simmer. Parton, in her memoir Dolly: My Life and Other Unfinished Business, revealed just how heated things became during the album’s production — to the point where they almost abandoned the project altogether.
The issues began long before they even stepped into the studio. According to Emmylou Harris, communication was a challenge from the start. Harris remarked in Smart Blonde: Dolly Parton that getting in touch with Dolly was a constant struggle. Parton’s schedule was notoriously packed, with a full team around her. This dynamic set the stage for mounting frustrations between the trio.
Parton herself admitted that her relationship with Linda Ronstadt, in particular, was strained due to their contrasting approaches to the creative process. “Ronstadt loves to work in the studio and works so slow, it drives me nuts,” Parton confessed. “I wanted to say, ‘Wake up, b—, I got stuff to do.’” In stark contrast to Parton’s fast-paced, get-it-done mentality, Ronstadt took her time to perfect every detail.
As the recording sessions dragged on, tensions bubbled over. Parton, ever candid, even joked about renaming the project The Three Tempers. The growing rift between the artists became a serious roadblock. It was no longer just about creative differences; it was about personalities clashing in a high-stakes, high-pressure environment.
In the end, the relationship between Parton and Ronstadt became so fraught that Trio II was nearly scrapped altogether. In a moment of regret, Parton recalled, “They b— a fit and dumped the greatest project ever… I was made to feel hurt, insulted, burdened with guilt.” The idea of abandoning the album, something they had all worked so hard on, was devastating to Parton. She felt as though she had let down her friends — and more than that, she felt the weight of disappointing the fans who were eager to hear the sequel.
Despite these difficulties, Trio II was finally released in 1999 — five years after the recording sessions took place. Parton was upset by the delay, particularly since she wanted more time to promote it properly. But ultimately, the album’s release marked a bittersweet conclusion to what had once been a beautiful musical partnership.
Years later, in her memoir, Parton reflected on the conflict and issued a heartfelt apology. She admitted that much of the tension surrounding Trio II was her fault. “I was the problem,” she wrote. “I got it all together.” Acknowledging her role in the nearly-failed project was a humbling moment for the country icon. Despite the friction during the making of the album, however, Dolly, Linda, and Emmylou have remained close friends and colleagues throughout the years.
Trio II, though clouded by behind-the-scenes drama, still stands as a testament to the undeniable talents of these three country music legends. And while it may have been a rocky road to completion, it ultimately proved that even the most challenging creative journeys can result in something beautiful — if the stars align.