Celebrating her 80th birthday by giving back… Dolly Parton is a national treasure. Today, she released a new rendition of her classic hit “Light of a Clear Blue Morning” which features four other musical powerhouses joining her in Lainey Wilson, Miley Cyrus, Queen Latifah, and Reba McEntire on the 50th anniversary of Dolly writing the song. This new version also features David Foster on piano and The Christ Church Choir on backing vocals. Dolly will turn 80 on January 19th, and she wanted to continue that incredible giving spirit that has guided her career by donating all net proceeds from the song and its accompanying music video to the pediatric cancer research program at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt in Nashville, Tennessee, a longtime partner and cause close to Parton’s heart. She first wrote “Light of a Clear Blue Morning” in 1976 during a period of personal transition and renewed optimism, and it first appeared on her 1977 New Harvest…First Gathering album, becoming a top twenty country music hit for her as a single. As Parton has said over the years, “Light of a Clear Blue Morning” was her “song of deliverance,” which was inspired by the pain from her professional break-up with longtime musical partner, the man who really gave her the first big break of her career, Porter Wagoner. Dolly of course famously left Wagoner’s band in 1974, wanting to strike out on her own as an independent artist more in the pop world, and the story goes that Wagoner responded by taking legal action, and they spent many years at odds as a result. In addition to “Light of a Clear Blue Morning” appearing on her New Harvest…First Gathering album, the song was also included on her 1992 film Straight Talk, and eventually, a third recording of the song appeared on her 2003 album, For God and Country. She spoke about how she needed to give herself a little hope the first time she wrote it, and how much it means to her to bring that to life again with such a talented group of ladies: “I am really excited to share my brand new video for ‘Light of a Clear Blue Morning.’ Now, I first wrote this song back in 1976, when I needed a little hope. This time around, I’ve invited some very special women, some real shining lights, to help me bring that hope to life again, and I can’t wait fro you to hear what e’ve created together.” View this post on Instagram It’s no easy task to try to get five such incredibly busy, very successful women together for something like this, but of course, when dolly asks you to do something, you just say yes, no questions asked. It’s just a testament to her character that she continues to give back and find new ways to be a blessing to so many people, and I have a feeling this song is going to raise a ton of money for the children at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital. Here’s to 80 more years of the legendary Dolly Parton, and her enduring, selfless and hope-filled legacy. Listen to the song here: The original version: The post Dolly Parton Celebrates 80th Birthday By Giving Back To Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital With New Rendition Of “Light Of A Clear Blue Morning” Featuring Star-Studded Group Of Ladies first appeared on Whiskey Riff.