Vince Gill Opens Dolly Parton Tribute Special With Emotional Performance of “A Few Old Memories”
Vince Gill helped set an emotional tone for a star-studded celebration of Dolly Parton, joining Ricky Skaggs, Béla Fleck and Molly Tuttle for a moving rendition of “A Few Old Memories.” The performance opened the Country Music Association’s two-hour tribute special on October 21, 2026, honoring Parton’s extraordinary legacy following her death on August 25.
The program, CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton, aired live on ABC and Disney+. Featuring performances from some of country music’s biggest names, the event celebrated the songs, friendships and lasting influence of one of the genre’s most beloved figures.
Gill and his fellow musicians took turns showcasing their vocal and instrumental skills, delivering a heartfelt opening that set the stage for an evening filled with both remembrance and celebration.
Although ABC had not released an official video of their performance at the time of the original report, the opening number was among the evening’s most emotional moments. Gill also returned to the stage later in the program, joining Lainey Wilson in support as she performed “Train, Train.”
Vince Gill and Dolly Parton shared a decades-long friendship
Gill and Parton’s connection extended well beyond their shared place in country music. The two artists maintained a close friendship for decades and collaborated on one of Parton’s most celebrated songs, “I Will Always Love You.”
In 1995, they released the song as a duet, which reached No. 15 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart. Their collaboration also earned the CMA Award for Vocal Event of the Year and received a Grammy nomination.
Following Parton’s death, Gill shared footage of the pair singing together, accompanied by a deeply personal message about what the experience had meant to him.
“We are all crushed here at our house,” he wrote. He went on to describe the final note he and Parton sang together during their CMA Awards performance as one of the most beautiful sounds he had ever heard.
His words reflected not only his admiration for Parton’s extraordinary voice but also the personal bond they had built over the years.
Gill paid tribute to Parton just days after her death
Gill’s grief was also evident during a performance in Kansas City shortly after Parton’s passing.
On August 27, just two days after her death, Gill appeared at the Midland Theater and made time to honor his longtime friend with a rendition of “I Will Always Love You.”
Footage from the performance showed him appearing to fight back tears as he worked his way through the song. The emotional moment offered another glimpse into how deeply Parton’s loss had affected him.
For Gill, performing the song was a way to celebrate the remarkable artist he had known for decades while expressing his sorrow at losing someone who had played such an important role in his life.
A tribute to a lasting musical legacy
Gill’s performance at the CMA special carried particular significance because of his longstanding friendship and musical history with Parton. Sharing the stage with Skaggs, Fleck and Tuttle, he helped launch an evening devoted to honoring her life and work.
The wider celebration brought together performers including Carrie Underwood, Lainey Wilson, Ella Langley and Brad Paisley, demonstrating the reach of Parton’s influence across generations of country artists.
Parton’s legacy lives on through her music, her collaborations and the countless performers she inspired. For Gill and the many artists who gathered to honor her, the tribute was an opportunity to celebrate not only a country music legend, but also a cherished friend whose voice and generosity left an enduring mark.
