Vince Gill struggled to hold back tears as he performed “I Will Always Love You” in memory of his longtime friend and musical collaborator Dolly Parton, just two days after her death at the age of 80.
The emotional tribute took place on Thursday, August 27, at Kansas City’s Midland Theatre, where Gill addressed the audience before performing the song that carries a particularly special place in his history with Parton.
Gill told the crowd that he and his family were “crushed” by the news of Parton’s passing before explaining that he wanted to honor her by singing “I Will Always Love You.”
As the performance unfolded, Gill became visibly emotional, at times appearing to fight back tears. Fans in the audience captured footage of the moving moment, with the crowd cheering Gill on as he brought the performance to an end.
A song that connected Vince Gill and Dolly Parton
The choice of “I Will Always Love You” carried an especially personal meaning for Gill and Parton.
The two country stars recorded their own duet version of the song in 1995 and performed it together at the CMA Awards that same year.
Gill had already shared a tribute to Parton following the news of her death, posting footage of their memorable CMA Awards performance on Instagram.
Reflecting on that performance, Gill wrote that one of the most beautiful sounds he had ever heard was the moment he and Parton sang the final note of “I Will Always Love You” together.
Their collaboration became a lasting reminder of the friendship and musical connection between two major figures in country music.
Dolly Parton dies at 80
Parton died on August 25, 2026, in Nashville at the age of 80 following a brief battle with cancer.
Her death was announced by her family, with her nephew Bryan Seaver sharing the news in a video posted to Parton’s social media account. Her representatives said she died peacefully surrounded by loved ones.
The announcement prompted an immediate outpouring of tributes from fans, fellow musicians and people around the world.
Parton’s career stretched across more than six decades, establishing her as one of the most influential figures in country music while also making her a successful actress, songwriter, businesswoman and philanthropist.
Among the songs most closely associated with her legacy is “I Will Always Love You,” which she wrote and originally recorded before it became an international phenomenon through Whitney Houston’s famous version.
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Gill’s tribute becomes part of the farewell
For Gill, however, the song represented more than one of Parton’s greatest compositions. It was a piece of their shared musical history.
Standing on stage in Kansas City only 48 hours after Parton’s death, Gill’s emotional performance gave the audience an opportunity to remember the country icon through one of the songs most closely connected with her legacy.
As Gill struggled through the performance, the crowd responded with encouragement, helping him reach the final moments of the song.
The tribute was brief, but deeply personal — a farewell from one longtime friend and fellow artist to another.
Dolly Parton’s music continues to resonate across generations, while tributes from artists such as Gill are now adding new moments of remembrance to the legacy she leaves behind.