Reba McEntire Honors Dolly Parton With an Emotional Performance at Special CMA Tribute
Reba McEntire paid a heartfelt tribute to her longtime friend Dolly Parton with a moving rendition of the gospel song “He’s Alive” during a special Country Music Association (CMA) event in Nashville on October 21. The song carried a deeply personal meaning, reflecting the nearly 50-year friendship between the two country music legends and the shared faith that helped shape their lives.
CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton took place at Belmont University’s Fisher Center for the Performing Arts, bringing together some of Nashville’s biggest names to remember Parton. The two-hour televised special featured musical performances, archival footage, and personal stories celebrating the life and career of one of country music’s most influential artists.
According to the original report, Parton passed away on August 25, 2026, at the age of 80, following a brief battle with cancer. She was laid to rest in a private family service but subsequently received numerous public tributes from across the entertainment industry.
The Television Academy honored her at the Emmy Awards, the Gospel Music Association paid tribute to her at the GMA Dove Awards, and numerous artists remembered her through songs and personal stories shared onstage.
The CMA special marked the first full-length public memorial dedicated to Parton, giving friends, colleagues, and fans an opportunity to reflect on the extraordinary legacy she left behind.
Reba McEntire and Her Nearly Five-Decade Friendship With Dolly Parton
Among the evening’s standout moments was McEntire’s performance of “He’s Alive.” As Parton’s longtime friend and fellow country star, Reba chose the song to honor a woman who had profoundly influenced both her personal life and professional journey.
This was not the first time McEntire had taken the stage to celebrate Parton’s legacy. In September, the “Fancy” singer performed Parton’s song “Appalachian Memories” at the 78th Emmy Awards, delivering another emotional tribute to her late friend.
For the CMA television special, however, McEntire selected a song with a deeper spiritual message, reflecting the faith she and Parton shared and the lasting bond between them.
An Unexpected Meeting at the Grand Ole Opry in 1977
The story of McEntire and Parton’s friendship began in 1977 at the Grand Ole Opry, one of country music’s most iconic performance venues.
At the time, McEntire was preparing to make her debut on the legendary stage, where she had been scheduled to sing two songs. But those plans unexpectedly changed when Parton arrived, prompting Opry management to give the established star one of McEntire’s performance slots.
McEntire later recalled how organizers approached her with the news that she would be allowed to perform only one song instead of two because Parton had just pulled into the parking lot and would be taking one of her slots.
Despite losing a performance opportunity, McEntire was not upset. Her biggest concern was simply getting the chance to meet the singer she admired.
“I said, ‘Okay, can I meet her?’ I didn’t care or anything. I just wanted to see Dolly Parton,” McEntire recalled.
The moment Parton walked into the room left an unforgettable impression on the young singer. McEntire remembered stepping back against the wall as she took in Parton’s appearance: a stunning black chiffon pantsuit decorated with rhinestone butterflies and her beautiful hair.
She recalled thinking, “My gosh, that’s probably what an angel looks just like right there.”
That seemingly unexpected encounter became the beginning of a friendship that lasted for decades, until Parton’s reported passing.
The two women were more than colleagues in the music industry. They shared a deep affection and admiration for one another, and Parton left a lasting mark on McEntire’s career. That history made Reba’s performance at the memorial even more meaningful.
“He’s Alive”: The Gospel Classic Connected to Dolly Parton’s Faith
Written by Don Francisco, “He’s Alive” tells the story of Jesus Christ’s resurrection through music. Francisco’s version was named Song of the Year at the 1980 Dove Awards.
Parton later recorded her own rendition for her 1989 album White Limozeen. The song gained further recognition after she performed it live at the 1990 GMA Dove Awards.
In that memorable performance, Parton was accompanied by a gospel choir as she recounted the resurrection story from the perspective of Peter, the disciple who denied Jesus three times.
The lyrics explore Peter’s guilt and anguish over his denial, followed by the overwhelming emotions he experiences after learning of Christ’s resurrection. As the story unfolds, Peter discovers love, forgiveness, and renewed hope.
In the powerful final stanza, Peter describes seeing the resurrected Jesus and recognizing the love in His eyes. The song concludes with an emphatic declaration:
“He’s alive! Yes, He’s alive! Yes, He’s alive, and I’m forgiven. Heaven’s gates are open wide…”
The themes of resurrection and forgiveness give the song a deeply emotional quality, transforming it into more than a traditional gospel number.
McEntire’s decision to perform “He’s Alive” in Parton’s memory therefore carried several layers of meaning. It was both a tribute to a friend who had been part of her life for decades and a connection to the music and spiritual values Parton had shared with audiences throughout her career.
A Tribute to a Friend Who Can Never Be Replaced
At CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton, McEntire offered more than a musical performance. She reminded audiences of a remarkable relationship that began with an unexpected meeting at the Grand Ole Opry in 1977 and grew into a friendship spanning nearly half a century.
From the admiration of a young performer to a lasting bond between two country music icons, their story remains a meaningful part of Parton’s enduring legacy.
McEntire’s rendition of “He’s Alive” gave audiences another opportunity to reflect on Parton’s influence—not only through her celebrated songs, but also through the relationships she built and the spiritual values she shared throughout her life.
A portion of Reba McEntire’s tribute to Dolly Parton during the CMA special can be seen in the accompanying video.