Lainey Wilson and Vince Gill touched everyone’s hearts singing “I Will Always Love You” for Dolly Parton’s 80th birthday on February 4, 2026. The intimate, stripped-back performance of the Dolly-written hit at the Grand Ole Opry featured gorgeous harmonies from the Eagles star and Lainey. Viewers praised Vince’s bravery in taking on those big melodies that many men would fear to sing, while others said Lainey sounds like “the next Dolly”.
Vince kicked off the song with a delicate, poignant vocal over a stately piano part, and he sure hit the right notes in that famously difficult chorus. Lainey then soared, taking the second verse, and then the pair pulled out the big guns to harmonize in the chorus. The Music Man has to say that Louisiana’s favorite daughter was absolutely the right choice to deliver this touching performance honoring Dolly’s music.
Viewers gave plenty of love for both singers and added comments such as “Immediate tears in my eyes and such warmth in my heart for your tribute! You both are so beautifully brilliant!” and “Beautiful performances by two of my favorites singing a song written by another one of my favorites. It doesn’t get any better than that.”
One of the greatest performances of “I Will Always Love You” is Dolly’s own performance of the hit that she gave shortly after the song’s release. The way that the Queen of Country sings that iconic chorus is so touching. She makes those soaring melodies flow so naturally, as if it’s nothing at all to her to hit those big notes. There sure ain’t nobody like Dolly Parton!
Dolly is the sole credited songwriter for “I Will Always Love You.” She recorded the song in a country arrangement for a March 11, 1974 release. Her version topped the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in June 1974 and again in October 1982 with a re-recording. The Music Man readers may recall that the song reached its peak commercial success when Whitney Houston recorded a pop and R&B rendition. Whitney’s version topped the Billboard Hot 100 and stayed on top for a record-breaking 14 weeks. Whitney recorded her version for inclusion in the soundtrack of her 1992 box office smash film The Bodyguard. “I Will Always Love You” has been recorded by a number of other big-name artists over the years, including Linda Ronstadt, Kenny Rogers, LeAnn Rimes, and Christina Grimmie.