Reba McEntire led an emotional lineup of performances at the I Will Always Love You tribute concert honoring the late music icon Dolly Parton.
McEntire, 71, joined a host of major country, roots and bluegrass artists at Belmont University’s Fisher Center for the Performing Arts in Nashville on Wednesday evening.
Officially titled CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton, the event featured emotional tributes from Katy Perry, 41, Carrie Underwood, 43, and other leading performers who took the stage to honor the late legend.
The red carpet was filled with established stars and rising talent as singers gathered to celebrate Parton’s enduring legacy. The superstar died at age 80 on August 25.
Alongside McEntire, the star-studded bill included Brad Paisley, Lainey Wilson, Kelsea Ballerini, Kristin Chenoweth and Carly Pearce.
Other celebrated performers in attendance included Ella Langley, Lady A, Darius Rucker and Ashley McBryde, among many more country and roots music artists.
Reba McEntire led an emotional series of performances at the I Will Always Love You tribute concert honoring late music icon Dolly Parton.
Carrie Underwood and Katy Perry were among the major stars who appeared during the two-hour television special, which aired live from Nashville on Wednesday evening.
Some of the biggest names in country, roots and bluegrass music gathered at Belmont University’s Fisher Center for the Performing Arts to honor the late icon, who died in late August; pictured in October 2022.
McEntire arrived for the occasion in a vibrant green velvet blazer, completing the look with a statement necklace.
For her performance, she later changed into a striking white dress with fringed sleeves.
McEntire and more than 20 other musicians performed covers drawn from Parton’s acclaimed, decades-spanning catalog.
The two-hour special aired live on ABC and Disney+ and is set to become available for next-day streaming on Hulu.
Proceeds from the tribute concert will benefit Parton’s Imagination Library.
At the close of the event, all of the night’s performers—including Zac Brown, Sierra Hull, Ricky Skaggs, Molly Tuttle and Amy—joined together onstage in front of a black-and-white image of Parton to perform her iconic ballad.
Perry also appeared onstage to introduce several of the evening’s performers.
The pop star wore a silk slip dress covered in orange and brown patterns, extending from its low-cut neckline to the hem of its waterfall-style asymmetrical skirt.
She wore her hair in tousled beach waves, complementing the natural tones of her dress for the moving tribute.
McEntire arrived in a vibrant green velvet blazer and statement necklace before changing into a stunning white dress with fringed sleeves for her performance.
She joined more than 20 other musicians in performing covers from Parton’s acclaimed, decades-spanning catalog.
At the end of the event, all of the performers of the night, which also included Zac Brown, Sierra Hull, Ricky Skaggs, Molly Tuttle and Amy, gathered onstage together in front of a black-and-white photo of Parton as they performed her iconic ballad
Perry also took the stage to introduce some of the acts for the night. The pop star wore a silk slip dress with a mix of orange and brown patterns from the low-cut neckline all the way down to the bottom of the waterfall, asymmetrical skirt
Her hair was styled in messy beach waves to go with the natural tones of her dress for the meaningful tribute concert
Underwood wore a princess-like, white gown with a voluminous tulle skirt as well as colorful, intricate embroidery.
Kelsea Ballerini was also present at the star-studded tribute concert and looked ethereal in a white gown with a low back and dramatic, feather boa-inspired sleeve details.
Later, she changed into a sparkly number and was draped top-to-bottom in dazzling refractions as she sang and swayed in a sequined and fringed dress.
Choosin’ Texas hitmaker Ella Langley also attended to honor the beloved superstar.
She was seen posing on the red carpet in a champagne gold minidress covered in sparkles and featuring a pink butterfly as a centerpiece detail as a touching homage to Parton.
Brad Paisley was also part of the incredible lineup and he arrived with his wife Kimberly Williams-Paisley with him to show her support.
Zac Brown also performed one of Parton’s hits as a tribute to her iconic life and legacy.
He wore a classic, dark outfit featuring a button-down blazer and a cowboy hat as he sang in front of a lavish display of flowers onstage.
Underwood wore a princess-like, white gown with a voluminous tulle skirt as well as colorful, intricate embroidery
Kelsea Ballerini was also present at the star-studded tribute concert and looked ethereal in a white gown with a low back and dramatic, feather boa-inspired sleeve details
Later, she changed into a sparkly number and was draped top-to-bottom in dazzling refractions as she sang and swayed in a sequined and fringed dress
Choosin’ Texas hitmaker Ella Langley also attended to honor the beloved superstar. She was seen posing on the red carpet in a champagne gold minidress covered in sparkles and featuring a pink butterfly as a centerpiece detail as a touching homage to Parton
Brad Paisley was also part of the incredible lineup and he arrived with his wife Kimberly Williams-Paisley with him to show her support
Zac Brown also performed one of Parton’s hits as a tribute to her iconic life and legacy. He wore a classic, dark outfit featuring a button-down blazer and a cowboy hat as he sang in front of a lavish display of flowers onstage
For the special event, Lainey Wilson wore a stunning pink number paired with her signature cowboy hat as an homage to the beloved and vivacious music star
She gave a short speech while introducing one of the performances and also went on to sing a cover alongside Lukas Nelson. At one point during their duet, the pair shared a touching moment and held hands
Nelson wore an outfit that complemented Wilson’s outfit and he also wore a cowboy hat in a juxtaposing, cream color
Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott and Dave Haywood of Lady A also took the stage together for another heartfelt performance as a tribute to Parton
Kristin Chenoweth and Carly Pearce also channeled Parton’s iconic style as they arrived in head-to-toe sparkles and luscious locks before performing a duet dedicated to the late legend
They later took the stage in fun, fringe-covered minidresses paired with sky-high stilettos for a vibrant performance together
Ashley McBryde attended the tribute concert in a forest green jumpsuit that showed off her colorful arm sleeves of tattoos
For the special event, Lainey Wilson wore a stunning pink number paired with her signature cowboy hat as an homage to the beloved and vivacious music star.
She gave a short speech while introducing one of the performances and also went on to sing a cover alongside Lukas Nelson.
At one point during their duet, the pair shared a touching moment and held hands.
Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott and Dave Haywood of Lady A also took the stage together for another heartfelt performance as a tribute to Parton.
Kristin Chenoweth and Carly Pearce also channeled Parton’s iconic style for the tribute concert.
They arrived in head-to-toe sparkles and luscious locks before performing a duet dedicated to the late legend.
They later took the stage in fun, fringe-covered minidresses paired with sky-high stilettos for a vibrant performance together.
