The song is written by Dolly Parton and Jamie Johnso

Debut Single from Upcoming Billy Blue Records Album Arrives August 29th

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (August 29, 2025) — Award-winning bluegrass group The Grascals announce their stirring new single with Dolly Parton, “Broken Angels,” arriving August 29 via Billy Blue Records. The track is the debut single from the band’s highly anticipated upcoming album and reunites them with one of their most cherished friends and musical inspirations. 

Co-written by Grascals founding member Jamie Johnson and Dolly Parton, “Broken Angels” was born from a deeply personal place.

“I’ve had the idea to write a song about recovery for a long time—one that speaks to my best friend who shares many of the same struggles with addiction and depression that I do,” says Jamie Johnson. “I tried to piece it together myself, but it just wasn’t coming together. There was only one person I had in mind to help me finish it—Dolly. I recorded the little bit I had and sent it to her. Within a day or two, she called me to say she loved the idea. She also loves this same friend as much as I do, and that was the beginning of ‘Broken Angels’. Dolly—along with The Osborne Brothers—has been the biggest influence on The Grascals’ career. I truly love her like family, and I know this song wouldn’t exist without her passion, heart, and unmatched gift for crafting such a beautiful piece of music. I’m honored to be part of it, and I hope my best friend will ‘fly again’ the way he deserves to. I also hope this song finds its way to someone who needs to hear it. Whoever you are… you are worth it.” 

The Grascals’ connection with Parton runs deep—they toured extensively with her early in their career, performing to sold-out crowds across the globe. “Broken Angels” is a poignant reunion, blending The Grascals’ signature harmonies and instrumental precision with Parton’s unmistakable voice and heartfelt delivery.

Dolly Parton says, "I love the Grascals, as they are like brothers to me. I love singing with Jamie Johnson. I think our voices blend so well together. When Jamie and I wrote this song, ‘Broken Angels,’ we had a mutual friend in mind, but I had other friends and family in mind as well, and I hope that this song will give inspiration and hope to anyone who suffers from addiction of any kind."

“It’s really exciting for The Grascals to record with Dolly again, and it’s an honor to be doing this special song with her,” adds Grascals founding member Danny Roberts. “Dolly and Jamie wrote this song about a subject that touches nearly all of us in some way, and I feel like it really hits the mark. The vocal blend with Dolly, Jamie, and John creates some of the most beautiful harmonies you’ll ever hear — this one truly pulls at the heartstrings. Original Grascal Jimmy Mattingly joined us in the studio to add strings, along with Kent Wells, who we had the pleasure of working with in Dolly’s band. We are absolutely thrilled to have Broken Angels as our first single with our new label, Billy Blue Records.”

The single arrives August 29 on all streaming platforms and through Billy Blue Records, offering fans the first glimpse of the band’s upcoming project.

"Broken Angels"
Dolly Parton and Jamie Johnson
Song-A-Billy Music (BMI) and Little Johnson Music (SESAC)

Produced by Kent Wells
Dolly Parton - lead and harmony vocals
Jamie Johnson - lead and harmony vocals
John Bryan - harmony vocal
Danny Roberts - mandolin
Kristin Scott Benson - guitar
Jamie Harper - fiddle
Kyle Perkins - bass
Jimmy Mattingly - fiddle/strings
Kent Wells - guitar

ABOUT THE GRASCALS:
The Grascals are one of the most celebrated bands in bluegrass music, earning multiple IBMA Awards including two IBMA Entertainer of the Year honors, Dove and SPBGMA wins, and three GRAMMY® nominations. Known for their seamless harmonies, world-class musicianship, and genre-spanning collaborations, the band continues to break new ground while honoring their deep musical roots.

ABOUT BILLY BLUE RECORDS

Billy Blue Records is a boutique bluegrass label, home to an award-winning roster of artists including Adam McIntosh, Alan Bibey and Grasstowne, Appalachian Road Show, Bob Minner, Caroline Owens, Carson Peters & Iron Mountain, Darin & Brooke Aldridge, Dave Adkins, Grascals, Jason Barie, Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers, Kristy Cox, Marty Raybon, the multi-artist projects Blue Collar Gospel, Country Faith Bluegrass, and the Grammy-nominated recording Gonna Sing Gonna Shout. Founded in 2018 by Jerry Salley, Ed Leonard, and Dottie Leonard Miller, Billy Blue is distributed to retail by the Orchard (Sony) and New Day Distribution.