Sometimes a song just feels like a fluke. You hear a scratchy demo, a rough idea, and you think, "Hey, wouldn't it be crazy if a legend sang on this?" Most of the time, that’s where the story ends. But for Zach Williams and Dolly Parton, it was the start of a friendship that basically rewrote the rules for Christian and Country music crossovers.
When Zach Williams first penned "There Was Jesus," he wasn't looking for a Grammy. Honestly, he was just trying to process his own mess. He was looking back at twenty years of running—the "thousand foolish things" he’d done—and realizing that even when he was at his absolute lowest, he wasn't actually alone.
The Audacious Ask
Zach had a gut feeling. He heard a female voice in his head while listening to the track and told his producer, Jonathan Smith, that Dolly Parton was the only one who could do it justice. They both laughed. It seemed impossible. But they sent the song to her manager anyway.
Dolly didn't just "listen" to it. She didn't even make it through the first chorus before she took her headphones off and said she had to be on the track.
She later called it a "Godsend."
When they finally met in the studio, the vibe wasn't "megastar meets newcomer." It was more like two old friends catching up over snacks. In fact, Zach has talked about sitting there eating pork rinds and blue cheese dip that Dolly had made herself while they worked through the music. That’s just who she is. She makes everyone feel like they’re the only person in the room.
Why "There Was Jesus" Still Matters in 2026
The song wasn't just a radio hit; it was a statistical juggernaut.
- It hit No. 1 on six different Christian charts.
- It earned Dolly her 11th Grammy Award.
- It made her the first artist to ever top five specific Billboard charts: Adult Contemporary, Christian AC, Christian Airplay, Country Airplay, and Dance/Mix Show Airplay.
Even now, years after its 2019 release, the track remains a staple on playlists. Why? Because it’s raw. It’s not a shiny, "everything is perfect" church song. It’s a song for people who have been in the fire and the flood.
More Than a One-Hit Wonder
A lot of people think they just did that one song and moved on. That’s not what happened. They actually teamed up again for "Lookin' For You" on Zach's A Hundred Highways album.
The story behind the second collab is actually kinda funny. Zach was at Dolly's place playing her new music, and after hearing the demo for "Lookin' For You," Dolly reportedly slapped him on the leg and asked why he hadn't asked her to sing on that one too. Zach, being humble (or maybe just intimidated), said he didn't want to overstay his welcome.
Dolly’s response? "Well, I thought we did pretty good on the first one!"
The Impact on Modern Gospel and Country
This partnership did something specific. It bridged a gap. You’ve got Zach, who comes from a rock-and-roll background with a gravelly, soulful voice, and Dolly, the undisputed queen of Nashville.
They didn't try to polish the edges too much.
The live performance at the 53rd Annual CMA Awards is still cited by many fans as a turning point where "Faith-based" music stopped being a niche corner of the industry and started commanding the main stage again.
Quick Facts: Zach Williams and Dolly Parton
- The Song: "There Was Jesus"
- Grammy Win: Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song (2021)
- The Second Act: "Lookin' For You" (2024)
- Chart History: Dolly’s first-ever No. 1 on the Christian charts.
What's Happening Now?
As we move through 2026, both artists are staying busy, though in different ways. Dolly is currently focused on her Threads: My Songs in Symphony tour, which is a massive multimedia experience hitting cities like Nashville, Denver, and Phoenix this year. While she isn't always physically on the road for every date, her presence—and the influence of her faith-heavy collaborations—is woven throughout the show.
Zach, meanwhile, has leaned into his role as a storyteller, even releasing a children's book titled A Little More Like Jesus.
The legacy of their work together is about more than just trophy cases. It’s about the fact that a guy from Arkansas and a legend from the Smokies could sit in a room, eat some dip, and create something that actually helps people breathe a little easier when life gets heavy.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're looking to dive deeper into this specific era of their careers, here is how to get the full experience:
- Watch the 2019 CMA Performance: It’s the rawest version of the song and shows the genuine chemistry between them.
- Listen to the Extended Edition: Check out A Hundred Highways (Extended Edition) to hear the second collaboration, "Lookin' For You," which often gets overshadowed by the first hit.
- Read the Lyrics as Poetry: The "Bridge" of "There Was Jesus" contains specific references to being "in the shadows of the alleys"—it’s a powerful reflection on Zach's real-life recovery journey.
- Follow the 2026 Symphonic Tour: If you're near a major city like St. Louis or Cincinnati, look for the Threads symphony dates to hear Dolly’s catalog (including her spiritual hits) in a high-fidelity orchestral setting.
The collaboration between Zach Williams and Dolly Parton proved that faith-based music doesn't have to be clinical. It can be messy, soulful, and chart-topping all at once.
