American singer-songwriter Sheryl Crow revealed her Welsh heritage during an appearance on BBC Radio Wales, sharing that her mother’s side of the family originated in the country and expressing a desire to explore her roots further.
Sheryl Crow Reveals Her Welsh Ancestry on BBC Radio Wales
- Sheryl Crow disclosed her Welsh ancestry while speaking with Bronwen Lewis on BBC Radio Wales.
- The Grammy winner first visited Wales around 1990 while touring as a backing singer with Michael Jackson.
- The conversation also touched on the legacy of Dolly Parton and a Welsh-language version of “Jolene.”
Discovering Family Roots on BBC Radio Wales
Sheryl Crow detailed her family background during a conversation with singer-songwriter Bronwen Lewis on the BBC Radio Wales Country programme. The nine-time Grammy winner stated that her mother’s entire side of the family is from Wales. While speaking on the broadcast, Crow noted that she does not yet know the specific town or region where her ancestors lived. “I need to do one of those DNA things,” she remarked, indicating an interest in researching her lineage.
The Missouri-born artist recalled her first trip to the country, placing it around 1990. Nation.cymru noted that Crow brought her parents to the UK, London, and Wales while she was working on the road. At the time, Crow was touring as a backing vocalist, a role that launched her professional music career before she achieved mainstream solo success with her 1993 debut album, Tuesday Night Music Club.
Reflecting on Dolly Parton and Shared Musical Connections
The broadcast also turned toward the legacy of country music legend Dolly Parton. Lewis shared details of collaborating on a Welsh-language version of the classic song “Jolene” alongside Parton and Parton’s niece, Jada Star. That collaborative track was released on October 9, following Parton’s death on August 25, 2026.
Sheryl Crow reveals 'incredible' Welsh heritage https://t.co/hPVczWrkmF
Crow praised Parton as a singular talent and a generous humanitarian. She discussed how Parton’s passing prompted personal reflection on community service and philanthropy. Specifically, Crow pointed to Parton’s Imagination Library, a literacy program that mails free books monthly to young children, as a model of selfless contribution.
| Milestone | Details |
|---|---|
| Early Touring | Joined Michael Jackson’s Bad World Tour (1987) and toured internationally into the early 1990s. |
| Commercial Breakthrough | Released her debut album, Tuesday Night Music Club, in 1993. |
| Hall of Fame Induction | Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2023. |
Unresolved Heritage Questions Ahead
While Crow has expressed clear enthusiasm for her newfound familial connection, the precise geographic origins of her Welsh relatives remain undocumented. Whether genealogical records or upcoming DNA testing will pinpoint the family’s exact hometown in Wales is still unknown.
