Behind Tiera Kennedy’s ‘Dream Collaboration’ with Beyoncé, Dolly Parton

By Sym Posey | The Birmingham Times When asked about her dream music collaboration, rising singer-songwriter Tiera Kennedy would always respond, “Beyonce and Dolly Parton.” That dream has become a reality. “Technically, I have collaborated with both now,” Kennedy told The Birmingham Times during a recent interview. “[Beyoncé gave] an up-and-coming artist like me such a massive opportunity, and I still cannot believe it has happened.” Kennedy’s voice can be heard on megastar Beyoncé’s eighth studio album, “Cowboy Carter,” which was released in March. The Gardendale, Alabama, native is on two tracks: she is featured on “Blackbiird” and sings harmony on “Tyrant,” which features country-music icon Parton. “Blackbiird” is a cover of The Beatles song “Blackbird,” featured on the legendary band’s “The Beatles,” also known as “The White Album”, which was recorded in 1968. Former Beatle Paul McCartney said in an Instagram post that he was, “happy” with the cover because “it reinforces the Civil Rights message” that inspired him to write the song. The famed singer, songwriter, and musician was motivated to write the song after witnessing the moment the Little Rock, Arkansas, schools decided to desegregate, as well as the experience of Black women of the Civil Rights...