Vince Gill Breaks Down While Honoring Dolly Parton on Stage in Kansas City
Vince Gill struggled to hold back his emotions Thursday night as he performed a tribute to his longtime friend Dolly Parton, who died just two days earlier.
During his Aug. 27 concert at the Midland Theatre in Kansas City, Missouri, the 69-year-old singer attempted to perform Parton’s signature song, “I Will Always Love You.” The emotional moment quickly became difficult for Gill, and the audience stepped in to help him finish.
Parton died on Aug. 25 at age 80 after a brief battle with cancer. Her death was announced by her representatives, who said she died peacefully at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville surrounded by loved ones.
Gill and Parton shared a particularly meaningful connection through “I Will Always Love You.” Their recording of the song reached the Top 20 on country radio in 1995, and the pair performed it together at that year’s CMA Awards.
Vince Gill’s Emotional Tribute
Gill had already spoken publicly about how deeply Parton’s death affected him. After learning the news, he said that he and his family were “crushed.”
Still, his scheduled performances continued. Gill took the stage in Kansas City before heading to Memphis, Tennessee, for weekend shows.
Earlier in the week, Gill reflected on his history with Parton and recalled one especially memorable moment from their CMA Awards performance.
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“One of the most beautiful sounds I’ve ever heard was when Dolly and I sang that last note of ‘I Will Always Love You’ the year we performed it on the CMA Awards,” he said Tuesday.
Two days later, Gill tried to revisit that song on his own at the Midland Theatre.
He did not get far before the emotion became overwhelming. Tears interrupted his performance, leaving Gill struggling to continue. Rather than leaving him to carry the moment alone, the Kansas City crowd began singing along, helping him through parts of the song.
Gill Has Faced Emotional Tribute Performances Before
The reaction was familiar to longtime fans of Gill, who has previously found it difficult to get through performances honoring people close to him.
At a 2013 memorial service for George Jones, Gill became overcome with emotion while attempting to sing “Go Rest High On That Mountain” alongside Patty Loveless.
Gill has also spoken about how simply telling personal stories from his own life can bring him to tears. Given his friendship with Parton and the circumstances surrounding her death, Thursday night’s emotional performance came as little surprise.
For the Kansas City audience, the moment became a shared tribute. As Gill struggled with the song, fans helped carry the performance by singing along.
“I Will Always Love You” Becomes a Popular Tribute to Parton
Gill was far from the only artist to turn to “I Will Always Love You” while remembering Parton.
The song has quickly become one of the most prominent musical tributes following her death. Morgan Myles performed the classic at the Grand Ole Opry on Tuesday night, delivering her own emotional rendition.
Chris Stapleton has also honored Parton with a performance of the song, one of the best-known pieces in her catalog.
More tributes are expected in the days ahead. The Grand Ole Opry is planning a larger celebration for Parton on Aug. 29 in Nashville.
Parton’s family has announced that a small private service will be held for immediate family, rather than a public memorial.
For Gill, however, the tribute in Kansas City offered something more personal. Standing alone with a song he once shared with Parton, he found himself unable to finish without the help of the people in the room. Their voices ultimately became part of the tribute itself.