“That’s amazing! I’m sure she’ll get a kick out of that,” Parton said. “It doesn’t surprise me because she does feel like family.”
Brickey, born in 1740 in Virginia, moved to Blount County, Tennessee, with his family, where he lived until his death in 1806. Both artists have strong ties to Tennessee.
Parton, a longtime friend of Cyrus’ father, Billy Ray Cyrus, became Miley’s godmother shortly after her birth. "I’ve known her since she was a baby," Parton recalled in 2009. "When she was born, [her father] said, ‘You just have to be her godmother,’ and I accepted. I’m so proud of her, love her. She’s just like one of my own.”
The two have collaborated several times, with Parton making guest appearances on Cyrus’ Disney Channel show, Hannah Montana, and contributing to Cyrus’ song “Rainbowland” from her 2017 album, Younger Now. They often cover each other’s hits, including Cyrus’ rendition of “Jolene” and Parton’s take on “Wrecking Ball.”
Cyrus described Parton as “like a mother” to her in a recent interview with W Magazine. She shared a touching note Parton sent her, expressing her love, and mentioned a unique Christmas gift: “Last Christmas, she gave me a whole mannequin, done in her proportions and wearing her outfit. It’s so major.”