John Mayer paid tribute to Dolly Parton with a moving performance of “I Will Always Love You” during an intimate SiriusXM concert in the Hamptons, just one day after the country music icon’s death.
The 48-year-old guitarist chose the beloved Parton classic during his private show at Stephen Talkhouse in Amagansett, New York, on Wednesday, August 26. Although members of the packed audience called out for “Jolene,” Mayer instead picked up his guitar and delivered his own interpretation of “I Will Always Love You.”
The performance came after Mayer had spent time reflecting on Parton’s remarkable ability to bring people together, describing her life as an “incredible testament to love.”
John Mayer reflects on Dolly Parton’s lasting impact
Before taking the stage, Mayer sat down with his close friend and fellow SiriusXM host Andy Cohen for a conversation about Parton’s death.
The two discussed the enormous public reaction following the news that Parton had died on Tuesday, August 25, at age 80, following what her representatives described as a brief battle with cancer.
For Mayer, the global response was about more than mourning the loss of a legendary performer. He saw it as evidence of the extraordinary connection Parton had created throughout her life.
“Dolly would be really happy to see that … the world came together in a way that it hadn’t in a very long time to celebrate someone,” Mayer said.
He continued by describing how unusual it felt to see so many people united in their appreciation for one person.
“While the world is paying tribute to one person and one soul, which feels good on its own, we’re all connected while that’s happening. I haven’t felt connected like that for a long time.”
Mayer said Parton had managed to maintain that ability to unite people throughout every stage of her life.
“Here’s a human being who carried herself through every decade of her life perfectly,” he said.
“I don’t know that there are many people in this world left that can galvanize a very fractured world to come together and share love for one person.”
He ultimately described Parton’s life as a powerful example of what it means to leave something meaningful behind.
“This is one human being who’s left this incredible testament to love throughout their whole life and you can feel it. This is what a life well-lived looks like, feels like, sounds like.”
Mayer chooses ‘I Will Always Love You’
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Shortly after his conversation with Cohen, Mayer took the stage for the first time in nearly a year with his full band.
The intimate audience included a number of notable guests, among them Paul McCartney and his daughter Stella McCartney, Brooke Shields, Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka, Christie Brinkley and her daughter Sailor, and Michael J. Fox.
Mayer performed a career-spanning set, but his decision to play Parton’s “I Will Always Love You” stood out as one of the night’s most poignant moments.
Rather than performing “Jolene,” which fans had been requesting from the crowd, Mayer used his guitar to deliver a tribute to Parton through one of her most enduring compositions.
He then transitioned into “Gravity,” which served as the encore that brought the performance to a close.
Mayer and Parton first met in 2010
Mayer’s tribute carried an added personal connection because he had met Parton more than 15 years earlier.
The two first crossed paths in Nashville in October 2010 at the All for the Hall benefit concert. The event was often hosted by their mutual friend Keith Urban.
Mayer and Parton also shared a connection through the broader music community that Mayer has remained part of throughout his career.
Parton died on August 25 at the age of 80, with her family announcing the news following what was described as a brief battle with cancer.
Her death prompted an extraordinary wave of tributes from musicians, entertainers and fans around the world.
John Mayer teases new music
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The SiriusXM performance wasn’t solely focused on Parton’s legacy.
Mayer also played songs spanning his own career and spoke about the music he has been working on in recent years.
The singer-songwriter has not released a studio album since 2021’s Sob Rock, but he told the audience that new material is coming.
After thanking the crowd for its enthusiasm, Mayer offered a simple promise about his next chapter: “We’ll sing new songs again very soon.”
He has been working on the new music at Cohen’s Hamptons beach home, adding another connection between the private performance and his upcoming work.
Mayer also found time for a lighter moment during the show, giving a shout-out to sponsor Uber and revealing that he sets a minimum tip of $40 on Uber Eats, whether he is ordering something as small as a cup of coffee or a meal from Nobu.
When to hear more from John Mayer
Mayer’s full conversation with Andy Cohen is scheduled to air on SiriusXM’s Radio Andy on Friday, August 28, at 10 a.m.
The John Mayer Live at Stephen Talkhouse concert is set to air on Saturday, August 29, at 8 p.m. ET on SiriusXM’s Life with John Mayer and will also be available through the SiriusXM app.
For Mayer, however, the Hamptons performance offered more than a preview of his next musical chapter.
By choosing to perform “I Will Always Love You,” he used the stage to remember an artist whose influence stretched far beyond country music — and whose ability to bring people together, he believes, may ultimately be one of her greatest legacies.