Miley Cyrus (L); Dolly Parton.Photo: 2020 Billboard Women In Music/Getty (2)
Miley Cyruscouldn’t have been prouder to bestow the first-ever Hitmaker Award to her “Aunt"Dolly Partonat this year’sBillboard Women in Musicevent.
DuringThursday night’s broadcast, the 28-year-old"Prisoner"singer gave a heartfelt speech in honor of her “very precious fairy godmother, not only to me but admirers from all around the world.”
“I’ve never met anyone that doesn’t like Dolly Parton,” Cyrus continued. “And it’s safe to say if they don’t like her, it’s only because theyloveher. As themost honored and revered female country singer-songwriterof all time, Dolly Parton has influenced music beyond her own genre. Achieving 25 gold, platinum and multi-platinum awards, Dolly has had 26 songs reach No. 1 on the Billboard country charts — a record for any female artist.”
The star went on to note that her “Aunt Dolly” has “10Grammy Awardsunder her customized bedazzled belt” and “has paved the way for other women songwriters, encouraging them to take ownership and get the credit that they deserve — an issue many women in the songwriting industry still struggle with today.”
“WhenElvis [Presley]sought to recordDolly’s ‘I Will Always Love You,‘Dolly famously said no, keeping control of her song that Elvis wanted half of the publishing royalties to,” Cyrus added, concluding, “Slay all day, Dolly.”
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
“I’m very appreciative of this,” said the music legend. “I’ve been with Billboard for so many years,had so many hits on the chartsthere, and I’m very grateful for that. Of course, I’m proud of all of the wonderful women in show business that write all of these wonderful songs.”
“I’d like to acknowledge a few — some of them older, kind of back in my day. Cindy Walker, who wrote some of the greatest songs ever, and of courseLoretta Lynn— wonderful, wonderful songwriter,” Parton added. “And this day in time, of course,Taylor Swift. I mean, she’s just right up there, probably No. 1.”
“And of course,Brandi Carlile; there’s just so many that write so many good songs,” she continued. “And I think it’s so important that we acknowledge the women that write — and sing! — in country music. And I think it’s also very important that they take control of their own business.”
“I’m just wanting to always say, ‘You go, girls! We can do it!’ " Parton said, holding up her award. “And I want to say again, thanks to Billboard, and thanks to everybody that’s been a bigpart of my life and all the hits thatyou’ve allowed me to have. And I hope to have many more, so this is gonna go in my museum at Dollywood! Thank you!”
Dolly Parton and Miley Cyrus.Emma McIntyre/Getty
RELATED VIDEO: Dolly Parton Says Goddaughter Miley Cyrus “Knows What She’s Doing”: “She’s Got Good Stuff in Her”
Cyrus and Parton have long been two of each other’s biggest champions and recently collaborated on a track for Parton’s holiday album,A Holly Dolly Christmas.
“Dolly reached outabout doing a Christmas record with herand only for Dolly Parton do you sing aChristmascarol in July,” Cyrus said in October onThe Graham Norton Show. “But she makes physical records and so she had to get it turned in.”
“I was singing about Christmas in the middle of L.A. summer, and only for Dolly,” she quipped.
She dropped her 12-track holiday album featuring additional collaborations withJimmy Fallon,Michael BubléandWillie Nelsonin October.
source: people.com
