Vince Gill struggled to contain his emotions while honoring his longtime friend and collaborator Dolly Parton.
During a concert at the Midland Theatre in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, August 27, Gill performed “I Will Always Love You” in memory of the country music legend, who died two days earlier at age 80.
The performance held special significance for Gill. He and Parton recorded a duet version of the song in 1995 and performed it together at that year’s CMA Awards.
Vince Gill Became Emotional During the Song
Before beginning the tribute, Gill told the audience that he and his family were “crushed” by the news of Parton’s death.
The 69-year-old country star then began singing “I Will Always Love You,” the ballad Parton wrote and originally released in 1974. Whitney Houston later transformed the song into a global hit with her 1992 rendition for “The Bodyguard.”
Fan-recorded footage showed Gill becoming choked up at several points during the performance. The audience offered its support with cheers as he reached the end of the song.
Gill had previously reflected on his collaboration with Parton in an Instagram tribute featuring footage from their 1995 CMA Awards performance.
“One of the most beautiful sounds I’ve ever heard was when Dolly and I sang that last note of ‘I Will Always Love You’ the year we performed it on the CMA Awards,” he wrote.
Dolly Parton Died at Age 80
Parton died on August 25 following what her representatives described as a “brief battle with cancer.” The specific type of cancer was not disclosed.
Her nephew, Bryan Seaver, announced her death in a video shared through the singer’s Instagram account.
The news prompted an outpouring of tributes from the entertainment industry, with musicians across genres honoring Parton’s songwriting, generosity and lasting influence.
Other Musicians Honored Dolly Parton Onstage
Gill was among several performers who incorporated Parton’s music into their concerts following her death.
Kacey Musgraves performed “Here You Come Again” during her August 28 show at Boston’s TD Garden. She also dedicated her own song “Rainbow” to Parton.
John Mayer delivered an instrumental rendition of “I Will Always Love You” during a private SiriusXM concert in the Hamptons before transitioning into “Gravity.”
Brad Paisley also became emotional while discussing “When I Get Where I’m Going,” his 2005 collaboration with Parton, at a concert in Bridgeport, Connecticut.
After recalling how quickly Parton agreed to appear on the deeply personal song, Paisley reflected on how its meaning had changed following her death.
“I never thought it would be about her, but it is,” he told the crowd. “It’s everything she believed, and we will always love you, Dolly.”
Reba McEntire, one of Parton’s longtime friends, shared her own tribute on social media, thanking the singer for her music, love and generosity.
“There will never ever be another you,” McEntire wrote.
For Gill, revisiting “I Will Always Love You” offered a fitting way to honor Parton and the unforgettable harmony they created together more than three decades ago.
