{"id":7529,"date":"2026-01-31T10:06:40","date_gmt":"2026-01-31T10:06:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/grow48.us\/?p=7529"},"modified":"2026-01-31T10:06:40","modified_gmt":"2026-01-31T10:06:40","slug":"america-grab-the-tissues-this-one-hits-hard-just-days-after-turning-80-dolly-parton-reminded-the-world-why-shes-pure-magic-lending-her-aching-heartfelt-voice-to-budweiser","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/grow48.us\/?p=7529","title":{"rendered":"America, grab the tissues\u2014this one hits hard. Just days after turning 80, Dolly Parton reminded the world why she\u2019s pure magic, lending her aching, heartfelt voice to Budweiser\u2019s Super Bowl ad that stopped the country in its tracks.  Set to her soul-deep rendition of Free Bird, the commercial follows a baby eagle and a young Clydesdale growing side by side, stumbling, rising, and finding their strength together.  By the time the final notes hit\u2014made even heavier as Gary Rossington\u2019s last-ever recording\u2014the tears were already falling. This wasn\u2019t just an ad; it felt like a love letter to America itself.  Made for Budweiser\u2019s 150th anniversary and already being called the best Super Bowl commercial in decades, \u201cAmerican Icons\u201d didn\u2019t try to sell beer.  It sold heart, memory, grit, and hope\u2014and with Dolly at the center, more than 100 million viewers sat in silence, completely spellbound&#8230; WATCH BELOW \ud83d\udc47\ud83d\udc47\ud83d\udc47"},"content":{"rendered":"<p data-path-to-node=\"4\">America, grab your tissues.<\/p>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"4\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.whiskeyriff.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/GettyImages-1439558924-1-scaled-e1706888459676-770x500.jpg\" alt=\"Dolly Parton country music\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"code-block code-block-4\"><\/div>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"5\">Just days after the world celebrated\u00a0<b data-path-to-node=\"5\" data-index-in-node=\"37\">Dolly Parton\u2019s<\/b>\u00a0landmark 80th birthday, the \u201cAppalachian Angel\u201d has delivered a performance so\u00a0<b data-path-to-node=\"5\" data-index-in-node=\"131\">harrowing<\/b>\u00a0and\u00a0<b data-path-to-node=\"5\" data-index-in-node=\"145\">patriotic<\/b>\u00a0it has left 100 million Super Bowl viewers absolutely\u00a0<b data-path-to-node=\"5\" data-index-in-node=\"209\">spellbound<\/b>.<\/p>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"5\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/s.abcnews.com\/images\/GMA\/budweiswer-ht-jef-260126_1769431956449_hpMain_16x9_992.jpg\" alt=\"Budweiser unveils Super Bowl LX commercial starring 'American Icons' - ABC  News\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"code-block code-block-5\"><\/div>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"6\">In what is already being hailed as the \u2018best Super Bowl commercial in 20 years,\u2019\u00a0<b data-path-to-node=\"6\" data-index-in-node=\"81\">Budweiser<\/b>\u00a0has pulled out all the stops for its 150th anniversary. Their 2026 spot, titled\u00a0<i data-path-to-node=\"6\" data-index-in-node=\"171\">\u201cAmerican Icons,\u201d<\/i>\u00a0doesn\u2019t just sell beer\u2014it sells a\u00a0<b data-path-to-node=\"6\" data-index-in-node=\"223\">soul-searing<\/b>\u00a0vision of friendship and grit that only\u00a0<b data-path-to-node=\"6\" data-index-in-node=\"276\">Dolly<\/b>\u00a0could soundtrack.<\/p>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"6\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Budweiser | Super Bowl LX Commercial 'American Icons'\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/a_mh-v02-Tw\" width=\"350\" height=\"235\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" data-origwidth=\"350\" data-origheight=\"235\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"7\">The cinematic one-minute ad follows a\u00a0<b data-path-to-node=\"7\" data-index-in-node=\"38\">misty-eyed<\/b>\u00a0tale of a young\u00a0<b data-path-to-node=\"7\" data-index-in-node=\"65\">Clydesdale<\/b>\u00a0foal and a fallen\u00a0<b data-path-to-node=\"7\" data-index-in-node=\"94\">bald eagle<\/b>\u00a0chick who brave storms and snowfall together. But it is the music that has turned this commercial into a national\u00a0<b data-path-to-node=\"7\" data-index-in-node=\"219\">moment<\/b>.<\/p>\n<blockquote data-path-to-node=\"8\">\n<p data-path-to-node=\"8,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"8,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">A TRIO OF LEGENDS<\/b><\/p>\n<ul data-path-to-node=\"8,1\">\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"8,1,0,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"8,1,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">THE VOICE:<\/b>\u00a0<b data-path-to-node=\"8,1,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"11\">Dolly Parton<\/b>, 80, brings a \u201cdivine\u201d energy to the classic rock anthem, proving her vocals are as\u00a0<b data-path-to-node=\"8,1,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"108\">shimmering<\/b>\u00a0as ever.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"8,1,1,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"8,1,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">THE GHOST:<\/b>\u00a0The track features the\u00a0<b data-path-to-node=\"8,1,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"34\">haunting<\/b>\u00a0slide guitar of\u00a0<b data-path-to-node=\"8,1,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"59\">Gary Rossington<\/b>, the last founding member of\u00a0<b data-path-to-node=\"8,1,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"104\">Lynyrd Skynyrd<\/b>, recorded just before his\u00a0<b data-path-to-node=\"8,1,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"145\">heartbreaking<\/b>\u00a0passing in 2023.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"8,1,2,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"8,1,2,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">THE BEAT:<\/b>\u00a0Original Skynyrd drummer\u00a0<b data-path-to-node=\"8,1,2,0\" data-index-in-node=\"35\">Artimus Pyle<\/b>\u00a0provides the \u201cthunderous\u201d rhythm that has fans rocking in their seats.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/crfaywvrkarzaisgrewc.supabase.co\/storage\/v1\/object\/public\/posts\/feature-images\/1769533272383-qfgd5i.png?width=1200&amp;height=675\" alt=\"Budweiser - Super Bowl LX Commercial - 'American Icons' | Adland.tv\" \/><\/p>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"9\">The performance is a\u00a0<b data-path-to-node=\"9\" data-index-in-node=\"21\">masterclass<\/b>\u00a0in emotion. As the eagle finally takes flight from the back of the galloping Clydesdale\u2014soaring toward a\u00a0<b data-path-to-node=\"9\" data-index-in-node=\"138\">glorious<\/b>\u00a0sunset\u2014<b data-path-to-node=\"9\" data-index-in-node=\"154\">Dolly\u2019s<\/b>\u00a0voice reaches a\u00a0<b data-path-to-node=\"9\" data-index-in-node=\"178\">heavenly<\/b>\u00a0crescendo that has left even the toughest football fans\u00a0<b data-path-to-node=\"9\" data-index-in-node=\"243\">trembling<\/b>.<\/p>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"10\">\u201cI sat in the studio and just cried like a baby,\u201d\u00a0<b data-path-to-node=\"10\" data-index-in-node=\"50\">Artimus Pyle<\/b>\u00a0previously said of hearing\u00a0<b data-path-to-node=\"10\" data-index-in-node=\"90\">Dolly\u2019s<\/b>\u00a0vocal. \u201cShe put her arm around me and said, \u2018I understand.&#8217;\u201d<\/p>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"10\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Dolly Parton - Free Bird (feat. Lynyrd Skynyrd) (Official Audio)\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/9ObjWKVviL8\" width=\"350\" height=\"235\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" data-origwidth=\"350\" data-origheight=\"235\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"11\">The timing could not be more\u00a0<b data-path-to-node=\"11\" data-index-in-node=\"29\">poignant<\/b>. With\u00a0<b data-path-to-node=\"11\" data-index-in-node=\"44\">Dolly<\/b>\u00a0turning 80 on January 19, and the United States preparing for its 250th birthday, the ad has become a\u00a0<b data-path-to-node=\"11\" data-index-in-node=\"152\">lightning rod<\/b>\u00a0for national unity.<\/p>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"12\">On\u00a0<b data-path-to-node=\"12\" data-index-in-node=\"3\">X<\/b>\u00a0(formerly Twitter), the reaction was\u00a0<b data-path-to-node=\"12\" data-index-in-node=\"42\">instantaneous<\/b>. \u201cDolly singing Free Bird with Gary\u2019s guitar\u2026 I wasn\u2019t ready for this level of emotion,\u201d wrote one fan. Another posted: \u201cBudweiser just won the Super Bowl. Period.\u00a0<b data-path-to-node=\"12\" data-index-in-node=\"222\">Dolly<\/b>\u00a0is a national treasure.\u201d<\/p>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"13\">Insiders say\u00a0<b data-path-to-node=\"13\" data-index-in-node=\"13\">Dolly<\/b>\u00a0was \u201cdeeply moved\u201d to be part of the project, especially knowing it featured\u00a0<b data-path-to-node=\"13\" data-index-in-node=\"96\">Rossington\u2019s<\/b>\u00a0final contributions. The result is a\u00a0<b data-path-to-node=\"13\" data-index-in-node=\"146\">lavish<\/b>\u00a0tribute to southern rock, country royalty, and the enduring spirit of the\u00a0<b data-path-to-node=\"13\" data-index-in-node=\"227\">American<\/b>\u00a0dream.<\/p>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"14\">As the ad fades to black with the words\u00a0<i data-path-to-node=\"14\" data-index-in-node=\"40\">\u201cTo the next 150 years,\u201d<\/i>\u00a0it is clear that\u00a0<b data-path-to-node=\"14\" data-index-in-node=\"82\">Dolly Parton<\/b>\u00a0hasn\u2019t just survived eight decades\u2014she is still the one leading the choir.<\/p>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"15\"><b data-path-to-node=\"15\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">What do you think? Did Dolly\u2019s version of \u2018Free Bird\u2019 do justice to the original, or did the Clydesdale and the eagle steal the show? Let us know in the comments below!<\/b><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>America, grab your tissues. Just days after the world celebrated\u00a0Dolly Parton\u2019s\u00a0landmark 80th birthday, the \u201cAppalachian Angel\u201d has delivered a performance so\u00a0harrowing\u00a0and\u00a0patriotic\u00a0it has left 100 million Super Bowl&#8230; <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":7530,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7529","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/grow48.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7529","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/grow48.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/grow48.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grow48.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grow48.us\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=7529"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/grow48.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7529\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7531,"href":"https:\/\/grow48.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7529\/revisions\/7531"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grow48.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/7530"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/grow48.us\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=7529"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grow48.us\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=7529"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grow48.us\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=7529"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}