Dolly Parton pays tribute to late country legends Loretta Lynn and Naomi Judd at the 2023 ACM Awards

While the 2023 Academy of Country Music Awards won’t feature a traditional in memoriam segment — directing viewers to a link on the ACM website — co-host Dolly Parton did take the time to remember two dear friends — Loretta Lynn and Naomi Judd .

Parton, 77 – who previously joked about a threesome with co-host Garth Brooks and his wife Trisha Yearwood – honored her friends, who both passed away in 2022.

Lynn passed away in October at the age of 90, while Judd was 76 when she passed away in April 2022.

Before presenting Female Artist of the Year, Parton said that award reminded her of both Lynn and Judd, who were “like sisters” to her.

The country legend spoke some moving words before embarking on a seemingly unwritten rendition of the anthem Precious Memories.

Passed: Lynn died in October at the age of 90, while Judd was 76 when she passed away in April 2022

“Of course you know that Loretta was a miner’s daughter, a heroine and one of the most important but still down-to-earth singer-songwriters in history,” Parton said.

“Naomi and I, well, we’re the same age, both real GOATs, Capricorns and we liked thick hair. I still do,” Parton added.

And we loved that makeup. But most of all, we loved each other,” she added, as her co-host Garth Brooks said, “We fondly remember everything we lost in our country music family, and we promise to do our best to keep the circle unbroken. keep in their memory.’

Parton agreed with Brooks’ sentiment, adding, “We are thankful for their fond memories”, adding that it reminded her of a song.

“To all those we’ve loved, those unseen angels,” before breaking into Precious Memories, which, judging by Brooks’ response, apparently wasn’t written.

Brooks took off his cowboy hat as the crowd fell silent, many recording the performance on their cell phones.

Brooks lifted his hat and said, “Wow,” as the audience began to cheer, while Parton added, “I just felt the urge to do that,” as the audience applauded.”

“Jiminy Christmas, we’re so lucky to have you in this format,” Brooks said before Parton presented the Female Artist of the Year award.

Same thing: “Naomi and I, well, we’re the same age, both real GOATs, Capricorns and we liked big hair. I still do,” Parton added

Song: Parton agreed with Brooks’ sentiment, adding, “We thank them for their fond memories,” adding that it reminded her of a song

Quiet: Brooks took off his cowboy hat as the audience fell silent, many recording the performance on their cell phones

Wow: Brooks raised his hat and said, “Wow,” as the audience began to cheer, with Parton adding, “I just felt the urge to do that,” as the audience applauded

Lucky: “Jiminy Christmas, we’re so lucky to have you in this format,” Brooks said before Parton presented the Female Artist of the Year award

Lainey Wilson won Female Artist of the Year, one of her four awards that night, the most of any artist.

She also won Album of the Year for Bell Bottom Country plus Visual Media of the Year and Music Event of the Year for Hardy’s Wait in the Truck on which she is featured.

Stapleton only won one award, although it was the biggest of the night – Entertainer of the Year, Jas Alden, cane brown, luke combs, Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood and Morgan Wallen.

The other big winner of the night was Cole Swindell, who took home two awards, Single of the Year and Song of the Year for his cover/remix of She Had Me At Heads Carolina, originally performed by Jo Dee Messina.