Carrie Underwood gave a stunning performance of Dolly Parton’s signature song, “I Will Always Love You,” as the finale for CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton.
Underwood concluded the star-studded show, which included performances by Ashley McBryde, Brad Paisley, Lainey Wilson, and more, with an incredible rendition of one of Parton’s most popular songs. She was joined at the end by all of the other artists, to sing the final chorus together.
When Underwood passed away, Underwood gave a touching tribute to her musical hero.
“She’s not gone. I know exactly where she is,” Underwood wrote on social media. “She was the epitome of faith, grace, talent, beauty and humor. She had a humble heart for Jesus and made everyone around her feel special. She was probably the one person on planet Earth that everyone loved and could agree on. She was a one of one and no one will ever come close. It’s alright to be sad that this world lost a legend, but heaven gained an angel. Well done, good and faithful Dolly. Welcome home.”
Dolly Parton Honored With Star-Studded Tribute
More than a dozen artists performed as part of I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton, including Paisley. Paisley sang “When I Get Where I’m Going” with Sierra Hull. In 2005, Parton joined Paisley on that song, as part of his Time Well Wasted album.
“Dolly is a singular force in our town and in our format of music, and in any format,” Paisley tells the Country Music Association. “We don’t get to claim her entirely anymore. She’s in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. She is in the acting pantheon of icons as well. But she’s from Tennessee, and she is a country singer at the core, and that all would be enough to do a special like this, and to honor her.
“But then, put that aside,” he continues. “And her philanthropy, and her spirit of fearlessness in taking on issues she cared about, and standing up for people, and being inspiring in a sort of spiritual sense as well, and her beliefs are enough to honor her as well. So when you put those together, it equals one of the greatest artists and human beings we’ve ever seen.”
A list of all of the performers is available below. I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton is streaming now on Hulu.
Ashley McBryde
Béla Fleck
Brad Paisley
Carly Pearce
Carrie Underwood
Darius Rucker
Ella Langley
Lady A
Lukas Nelson
Kelsea Ballerini
Kristen Bell
Kristin Chenoweth
Lainey Wilson
Little Big Town
Molly Tuttle
Reba McEntire
Ricky Skaggs
Vince Gill
Sierra Hull