Dolly Parton was honored by Nashville’s legendary Grand Ole Opry with a star-studded tribute on Saturday night.
The 80-year-old country music icon and Tennessee native died Tuesday after a secret, short battle with cancer.
Ahead of the event, the venue wrote on social media: ‘This Saturday evening we honor a true icon. ❤️ Saturday night’s Grand Ole Opry will be dedicated to Dolly Parton, in recognition of her extraordinary life, legacy and contributions to country music.”
Additionally, the Opry said a portion of ticket sales will be donated to Parton’s literacy program Imagination Library “in honor of Dolly’s incredible spirit of giving.”
The evening’s performers included Jelly Roll and Carly Pearce, who is uniquely linked to the late Parton when her career took off at Parton’s Dollywood theme park.
Pearce, who was invited by Parton to join the Opry in 2021, performed the late star’s 1987 song Those Memories of You, which she recorded with Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt.
Dolly Parton was honored by Nashville’s legendary Grand Ole Opry on Saturday night with a star-studded tribute; pictured in 1996
The evening’s performers included Jelly Roll and Carly Pearce
And according to various accounts, she returned to the stage several times throughout the night.
Saturday’s tickets were sold out, and according to a report from USA todayOpry senior vice president Dan Rogers described Parton as “the most beloved human being in the world.”
After listing her impressive career achievements, he said, “That’s not what any of us first think of when we think of Dolly.
“We think of the children she gave books to, or the people who were inspired to follow a bold dream.”
According to USA Today, women arrived in robes, and some people carried flowers.
A writing station was set up for fans to write down their thoughts and emotions in the lobby, and on the second floor was a mural of Parton detailing the exhaust.
The lineup, booked before Parton’s shock death, included Molly Tuttle, Dan Tyminski, Belle Frantz, Channing Wilson, Kathy Mattea and T. Graham Brown.
Parton’s niece Jada Star performed her original song The Orchard, which was included on the Parton family’s 2024 album Smoky Mountain DNA: Family, Faith and Fables.
Pearce encouraged the audience to sing Parton’s 1980 hit 9 to 5, while Jelly Roll appeared on stage for the chorus
Parton’s niece Jada Star performed her original song The Orchard, which was included on the Parton family’s 2024 album Smoky Mountain DNA: Family, Faith and Fables
Videos of Parton’s decades-long Opry history were reportedly streamed between performances.
Pearce encouraged the audience to sing the hit 9 to 5, while Jelly Roll appeared on stage for the chorus.
Jelly Roll previously honored the Jolene singer while guest hosting Jimmy Kimmel Live on Tuesday.
“We lost a legend today, the great Dolly Parton. She was such an inspiration to many, including myself. We are both from Tennessee and she meant a lot to my family,” he said on air.
The Opry performances ended with all of the evening’s entertainers converging on stage watching Parton sing I Will Always Love You in a video of her 50th anniversary Opry performance in October 2019.
“It’s been a great life for me and I appreciate all of you, and this song kind of sums up how I feel about you,” Parton said in the clip, projected on the screen. “So thank you so much, and I will always love you.”
As news of Parton’s death spread on Tuesday, the Opry posted on Instagram: ‘It is with the deepest of our hearts that we say goodbye to a true country music icon, Opry member Dolly Parton.
“There is no doubt that Dolly’s mark on the world, and on us here at the Grand Ole Opry, will be deeply felt for generations to come. She taught us to always lead with kindness, generosity and compassion. May her legacy live on through her songs, the lives she touched and the countless artists she inspired. There will never be anyone like her again.
The lineup, booked before Parton’s shock death, included Molly Tuttle, Dan Tyminski, Belle Frantz, Channing Wilson, Kathy Mattea and T. Graham Brown.
The Opry performances ended with all of the evening’s entertainers gathering on stage and watching Parton sing I Will Always Love You in a video from her 50th Opry anniversary performance in October 2019.
“We will always love you, Dolly.”
Parton’s death was confirmed in an Instagram video posted by her cousin and head of security, Bryan Seaver.
She died after being admitted to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville on August 21 with autoimmune and kidney problems. TMZ.
Four days before her death, the singer said People she had “so many things I want to accomplish,” including launching a new hotel and museum in Nashville, Tennessee.
