A Night of Tributes
The Grand Ole Opry dedicated its regular Saturday night show on Aug. 29 to Dolly Parton, who died at age 80. The event featured performances of her songs by various artists, including Carly Pearce, who opened with "Those Memories of You." Pearce, a former Dollywood performer and Opry member since 2021, expressed her honor to pay tribute to the queen.[S1][S2]
Other performers included Kathy Mattea with "Jolene," Ketch Secor and Molly Tuttle with "Just Someone I Used To Know," Channing Wilson with "My Tennessee Mountain Home," and Parton's niece Jada Star with "The Orchard." Dan Tyminski dedicated "Smile When You're Alone" to Parton, and T. Graham Brown performed "Beulah Land." Belle Frantz made her Opry debut with "Where No One Stands Alone."[S1][S2]
A Grand Finale
The night concluded with all artists performing "9 to 5," featuring a surprise appearance by Jelly Roll. The crowd sang and danced along. The final performance was a video of Parton singing "I Will Always Love You," watched by the artists and backstage guests.[S1][S2][S3]
Proceeds from the sold-out show were donated to Parton's Imagination Library. The Opry also highlighted Parton's history with the venue, noting her first appearance in 1959 at age 13, when she earned three encores.[S1][S2]
