Dolly Parton meets the wiggles in Nashville to celebrate country album collaboration

Australia’s favourite children’s group, the Wiggles, had a star-studded moment in Nashville as they met country music legend Dolly Parton to celebrate their recent collaboration.

It was a meeting of icons in Nashville as Australia’s beloved children’s entertainers, The Wiggles, met with U.S. country music legend Dolly Parton following their concert at the historic Grand Ole Opry House.

The special moment, captured on video, shows an emotional Red Wiggle, Caterina Mete, meeting her lifelong idol.

Mete, who named one of her twin daughters after the country legend and even sports a Dolly Parton tattoo, had it signed by Dolly during their meeting.

“Meeting Dolly Parton is a dream come true for all of The Wiggles,” she said.

Red Wiggle Caterina showing off her tattoo to Dolly Parton. Picture: Supplied.

“Her music and spirit have inspired generations, and to collaborate with her on this album is one of the greatest honours of our career.”

The meeting marked the ongoing success of ‘Wiggle Up, Giddy Up!’, The Wiggles’ latest album released in March 2025, a joyful, country-inspired collection of songs for families.

The album features two original collaborations with Dolly Parton — Friends and We Will Always Be Friends — as well as covers of her classics Love Is Like a Butterfly and a re-imagined version of 9 to 5, playfully retitled Counting 1 to 5.

The Wiggles have teamed up with global music icon, Dolly Parton. Picture: Supplied

In the music video for Love Is Like a Butterfly, Lucia Field – Blue Wiggle and daughter of OG Wiggle Anthony Field – takes lead vocals alongside Purple Wiggle Lachy Gillespie, with the group surrounded by butterflies and a whimsical fairy character.

In addition to Dolly Parton, Wiggle Up, Giddy Up! includes collaborations with country stars such as Lainey Wilson, Orville Peck, Dasha, Morgan Evans, Jackson Dean, Kaylee Bell, MacKenzie Porter, Troy Cassar-Daley, The Wolfe Brothers, Travis Collins, Lucky Oceans, and the late Slim Dusty.

The Nashville meeting underscores a rare cultural crossover between two legendary acts, one a global icon of country music, and the other a household name in children’s entertainment.

Currently on the U.S. leg of their Bouncing Balls International Tour, The Wiggles will head to Canada next before returning home for a string of shows in Melbourne from 24–27 July.

Originally published as Dolly Parton meets the wiggles in Nashville to celebrate country album collaboration