Béla Fleck, Ricky Skaggs, Molly Tuttle, Vince Gill and Lainey Wilson Celebrate Dolly Parton’s Bluegrass Roots in Moving Tribute
Dolly Parton’s Appalachian beginnings took center stage as some of bluegrass and country music’s most celebrated artists came together for a heartfelt opening performance at the CMA’s tribute special honoring the legendary singer. Béla Fleck, Ricky Skaggs, Molly Tuttle and Vince Gill began the evening with “A Few Old Memories,” before Lainey Wilson joined them for another song deeply connected to Parton’s bluegrass legacy.
The performance opened CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton, a two-hour special bringing together artists from different generations and musical backgrounds to honor Parton’s remarkable career and enduring influence.
A Tribute Rooted in Dolly Parton’s Appalachian Heritage
Before Wilson joined the group, Fleck, Skaggs, Tuttle and Gill performed “A Few Old Memories,” a song written by Hazel Dickens and included on Parton’s 1999 bluegrass album, The Grass Is Blue.
As footage highlighting Parton’s life and career played on the screen behind them, the musicians brought the audience back to the Appalachian traditions that helped shape her musical identity. Each performer contributed a distinctive style, creating an opening that celebrated not only Parton’s achievements but also the roots that remained central to her artistry.
The song offered a fitting introduction to an evening devoted to the singer’s lasting impact across country music, bluegrass and beyond.
Following the opening number, Reba McEntire took the stage to share heartfelt words about her friend. Wilson then joined the four musicians for “Train, Train,” another track from Parton’s bluegrass project.
The livelier performance brought fresh energy to the stage while highlighting Parton’s deep appreciation for traditional mountain music.
Ricky Skaggs Reflects on His Shared Musical Roots With Dolly
For Ricky Skaggs, participating in the tribute was especially meaningful because he and Parton shared similar musical beginnings.
Both grew up in the mountains surrounded by old-time music, giving Skaggs a personal connection to the traditions that influenced Parton’s career. He recalled how his father welcomed old-time fiddlers and banjo players into their home, allowing him to observe the musicians up close and learn from their playing.
“I love getting to share Dolly’s roots because she was a bit older than me, but she grew up in the mountains around old time music. I grew up in the mountains around old time music,” Skaggs explained.
He described sitting at the feet of visiting musicians and watching their techniques, experiences that helped shape his own musical journey.
“Getting to do a special to honor her for her roots music influence is a big thing because I share that as well,” he added.
For Skaggs, the tribute was about more than revisiting a musical tradition. It was also an opportunity to celebrate Parton’s individuality and encourage others to discover what makes them unique.
“I hope the viewers will take away the fact that God makes originals. He doesn’t make copies,” he said, explaining that he has always encouraged young people to embrace their own gifts.
Reflecting on Parton’s exceptional talent, he added: “The gift Dolly had, he’s not going to give that same gift to other people. She had it and she did well with it, but find your gift.”
His words offered a personal perspective on Parton’s legacy, emphasizing the importance of developing one’s own talents rather than trying to imitate someone else.
Béla Fleck Recognizes Parton’s Influence Beyond Bluegrass
Béla Fleck also reflected on the importance of Parton’s contribution to bluegrass music, particularly her ability to introduce the genre to people who might otherwise never have explored it.
Although Fleck was not among Parton’s close friends and had met her only a handful of times, he admitted that her passing affected him more deeply than he had anticipated.
He was surprised by the intensity of his own reaction, describing himself as “shocked” by how much the news had affected him.
Fleck also praised Parton’s ability to bring traditional music to a wider audience, explaining how she helped people outside the bluegrass community appreciate its beauty.
“She reaches outside of that world and shows how beautiful and special it is to folks that don’t know anything about it,” he said.
That ability to bridge musical worlds was a defining part of Parton’s influence. While she became one of country music’s most recognizable stars, her work also helped introduce audiences to the traditions that shaped her.
Molly Tuttle Calls the Tribute One of Her Greatest Honors
For Molly Tuttle, performing at the special was both a celebration of Parton’s legacy and an opportunity to share the stage with musicians she deeply admires.
Tuttle expressed how much Parton meant to the artists gathered for the event, describing the atmosphere as one filled with affection and appreciation.
“It’s a huge honor to be part of this tribute, honoring Dolly and her legacy because she’s someone who just means so much to all of us and I feel so much love in the room,” she said.
She was equally excited to perform alongside Gill, Skaggs and Fleck, whom she considers musical heroes.
“I get to play music with some of my heroes, Vince Gill, Ricky Skaggs, Béla Fleck. It’s so cool to get to be on the stage with them,” Tuttle continued.
She described the experience as “one of the biggest honors of my career and life,” underscoring the significance of an evening that brought together generations of musicians united by their admiration for Parton.
A Star-Studded Celebration of Dolly Parton’s Legacy
The two-hour special brought together an expansive lineup of performers from country music, bluegrass, Broadway and other corners of the entertainment industry.
Among the artists taking the stage were Ashley McBryde, Brad Paisley, Carly Pearce, Carrie Underwood, Darius Rucker, Ella Langley, Kelsea Ballerini, Kristen Bell, Kristin Chenoweth, Lady A, Lainey Wilson, Little Big Town, Lukas Nelson, Reba McEntire, Sierra Hull and Zac Brown. Amy Grant and Kimberly Williams-Paisley also participated as special guests.
Beyond the musical performances, the program featured tributes from some of Parton’s longtime friends and connections in entertainment, including Bono, Carol Burnett, Goldie Hawn, Julia Roberts and Oprah Winfrey.
Together, the appearances reflected the breadth of Parton’s influence, extending well beyond the country music community.
Supporting Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
Filmed before a live audience at Belmont University’s Fisher Center for the Performing Arts in Nashville, the special was broadcast on ABC and Disney+ in the United States and internationally. It was also scheduled to become available to stream on Hulu the following day.
The event carried a charitable purpose alongside its celebration of Parton’s music and career. The CMA and Belmont University planned to donate a portion of the proceeds to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, her book-gifting program for children.
From the opening strains of “A Few Old Memories” to the musicians’ reflections on Parton’s influence, the tribute highlighted the Appalachian roots that helped shape her extraordinary journey.
For Skaggs, Fleck, Tuttle, Gill and Wilson, the performance was an opportunity to celebrate not only a legendary artist but also the musical traditions she carried to audiences around the world. Their appearance served as a reminder that Parton’s legacy lives on through the songs she created, the artists she inspired and the generations who continue to discover the music that made her special.