Brad Paisley struggled to hold back tears as he performed “When I Get Where I’m Going” for the first time since Dolly Parton’s death, transforming their longtime hit into an especially emotional farewell to the country music legend.
Paisley took the stage at Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater in Bridgeport, Connecticut, on Wednesday night, just days after Parton died at age 80 in Nashville, Tennessee.
The song carried an added weight that Paisley never expected.
He and Parton originally recorded “When I Get Where I’m Going” together in 2005. The song went on to become Parton’s 25th and final No. 1 hit, while the collaboration earned the pair two ACM Awards — for Video of the Year and Vocal Event of the Year — as well as a CMA Award for Vocal Event of the Year.
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Paisley’s emotional return to the stage
Paisley had already paid tribute to Parton publicly following her death, describing the experience of knowing her as life-changing.
In a post shared on Instagram, he recalled how Parton seemed almost immortal and reflected on the message they had sung together.
He wrote:
“I never imagined this day would come. Getting to know Dolly was life changing, but not just for me. For everyone. She seemed immortal.
“And in the spirit of what we sang together on this song, I believe she is. It won’t be the same down here without you Dolly. But what a legacy of goodness and art you leave for all of us.
“Goodbye hero. We will always love you.”
His next performance made those words even more poignant.
After working through several of his familiar hits, including “She’s Everything,” “I’m Still a Guy” and “Online,” Paisley paused to perform the song that had connected him so closely with Parton.
@bradpaisley♬ original sound – Brad Paisley
“I never thought it would be about her”
As Paisley sang “When I Get Where I’m Going,” black-and-white photographs of Parton appeared behind him.
The images provided a visual tribute to the woman whose voice had become inseparable from the song, while Paisley visibly fought back tears throughout the performance.
At the end, the montage displayed a simple message:
“We love you Dolly.”
After finishing the song, Paisley became emotional again as he explained how Parton had originally become involved with the recording.
He recalled receiving the song from co-writers Rivers Rutherford and George Teren before sending it to Parton. At the time, Paisley had already experienced the loss of people close to him and wondered whether the song would connect with her.
He remembered telling her:
“A couple of people in my life I’ve lost. I didn’t know if this would relate to you.”
Parton’s response was immediate. According to Paisley, she wanted to sing on the song — and she did.
Looking back at the moment now, Paisley admitted he never imagined the song would one day become a tribute to Parton herself.
“I never thought it would be about her, but it is. It’s everything she believed, and we will always love you for,” he told the crowd.
A final No. 1 hit for Dolly Parton
“When I Get Where I’m Going” holds a special place in Parton’s extraordinary career.
Released in 2005 as a collaboration with Paisley, the song ultimately became her 25th and final No. 1 hit.
The recording also brought major industry recognition to the pair, including two ACM Awards and a CMA Award.
Its themes of faith, hope and looking toward what comes after this life have taken on an entirely different emotional meaning following Parton’s death.
For Paisley, that meaning was especially personal.
What began as a song he hoped Parton might connect with became one of the most important musical collaborations of his career — and now serves as a way for him to say goodbye.
Country music continues to mourn Dolly
Parton’s death has prompted an extraordinary wave of tributes from across the music world.
Artists including George Strait, Reba McEntire, Blake Shelton, Alan Jackson, Tim McGraw and Ella Langley have shared memories and condolences.
Live performances have also become a major part of the mourning. Chris Stapleton performed “I Will Always Love You,” Turnpike Troubadours’ Evan Felker sang “The Last Thing on My Mind” with Charley Crockett, and Ernest dedicated “I’ll Fly Away” to Parton at Red Rocks.
Jack White has also covered “Jolene,” while Katy Perry and Pitbull remembered Parton during their own shows.
Each tribute has offered a different reflection on Parton’s influence, but Paisley’s performance carries a particularly personal significance because of the history between the two artists.
Parton’s career included 25 No. 1 hits, 27 gold and platinum certifications from the Recording Industry Association of America, 11 No. 1 albums and 10 Grammy Awards, along with her work as an author, philanthropist and founder of Dollywood.
Yet for Paisley, the statistics were never the point.
He knew her. He sang with her. And he now has to perform a song they once shared while knowing that the person beside him on the original recording is gone.
“I never thought it would be about her,” he said.
Now it is — and his emotional performance offered a powerful reminder of just how much Dolly Parton meant to the people who had the privilege of knowing and working with her.