Back in 2020, as musicians struggled to find their place in a world without social gatherings, Brendan Bayliss launched a series of intimate, wine-infused performances streamed live from his basement called Wine Not. On Wednesday, the Umphrey’s McGee guitarist posted a video from the series in which he performs a cover of “Jolene” by Dolly Parton with help from Trey Anastasio Band vocalist/trumpeter Jennifer Hartswick.
The duo’s acoustic cover of “Jolene” was recorded in 2021, after Bayliss had improved the production quality of his Wine Not streams. With two open bottles of wine on the table between them, the pair performs a soulful rendition of the Dolly Parton classic with Hartswick singing the song for only the second time
“Let’s do a song I’ve never done, ever in my life, except last night,” she says in the video as Bayliss applies a capo to his guitar.
Despite her apprehension, Hartswick shines as she delivers the song’s famous lyrics, which have been sung by everyone from Reba McEntire and Olivia Newton-John to Miley Cyrus and The White Stripes. After a breathtaking performance, Bayliss asks, “How’d that feel for you?”
“Excellent,” she replies, “I’ve never sung it better!” Watch the duo’s performance of Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” in the player below.
Brendan Bayliss And Jennifer Hartswick – “Jolene” (Dolly Parton)
Brendan Bayliss and Jennifer Hartswick will perform together at the Cubby Bear in Chicago, IL on May 5th. They will both appear with separate acts at this year’s Fool’s Paradise in St. Augustine, FL on June 4th and 5th—Bayliss with Umphrey’s McGee and Hartswick with her duo featuring guitarist Nick Cassarino (The Nth Power). View the complete lineup and daily schedule below, and for ticketing details and more information, head to the event website.
