Carrie Underwood recently performed at the Tanglewood Music Festival in Lennox, Massachusetts, where she took time out of her show to honor the late country music icon Dolly Parton. The “9 to 5” singer passed away on Tuesday, August 25, at the age of 80 after a brief battle with cancer.
In a clip shared on X, the “American Idol” judge could be seen getting emotional as she spoke to the crowd about her love for Parton, sharing that she was “one of the nicest people” she’s ever met.
Carrie Underwood Says ‘Time Stood Still’ After Dolly Parton’s Passing
GettyCarrie Underwood took the stage at the Koussevitzky Music Shed at Tanglewood Music Center in Lenox, Mass. on Saturday, August 29, where she paused to honor the late country music icon Dolly Parton with an emotional tribute.
“Definitely have to acknowledge [Parton]… for not just a huge influence to so many of us, but just one of the nicest people I think I’ve ever met on this planet,” Underwood began.
“And it’s such a shock, I feel like, just to the whole world. You feel the ripples, like, time just stood still. I was just like, ‘What?'” She shared about her untimely death. “She’s just one that transcends all space and all time,” she continued as she was met with huge applause. “I feel like, she was just out there with the brightest smile on her face up until the very last minute, and that’s something I feel like we can all learn from.”
“She is gone, but she is not forgotten,” Underwood added before pointing upwards to the sky and sharing, “I know where she is because I know how much she loved Jesus.”
The “American Idol” judge then asked the crowd to light up the event space with their phones as she honored Parton by singing her 2012 song, “See You Again.”
Underwood & Parton Last Performed Together in 2019
GettyOn the day of Parton’s passing, Underwood dedicated an Instagram post to the country icon, sharing several photos of her favorite memories with the “Jolene” singer, including walking hand-in-hand on the red carpet of the 2019 CMA Awards and performing together for the first time in 2009.
“She’s not gone. I know exactly where she is. 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,” her tribute began. “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. ❤️🦋”
The country superstars would share the same stage when Parton appeared on Underwood’s televised holiday special in 2009, where the two performed a duet of “I Will Always Love You.”
Most notably, Underwood and Parton co-hosted the 2019 CMA Awards alongside Reba McEntire. The trio also took the stage that night and performed an incredible rendition of Parton’s hit “Those Memories of You.”
