Brad Paisley Fights Back Tears Performing “When I Get Where I’m Going” in Honor of Dolly Parton
Brad Paisley struggled to hold back tears as he performed “When I Get Where I’m Going” for the first time since Dolly Parton’s death, turning the song they shared into an especially emotional tribute to his longtime collaborator and country music icon.
Dolly Parton died Tuesday morning in Nashville, Tennessee, at the age of 80. The “Jolene” singer had dealt with undisclosed health problems for roughly the past year and had previously spoken about suffering from severe kidney stones. She had otherwise kept details about her condition private.
Parton’s representative confirmed to People that her death came after a “brief battle with cancer,” although the specific type of cancer was not disclosed. She had spoken publicly about some of her health struggles in recent months, but the cancer diagnosis appears to have been a more recent development.
Country Music Mourns a Legend
Parton’s influence on country music and popular culture is difficult to measure.
Over the course of her career, she collected 25 No. 1 hits, 11 No. 1 albums, 10 Grammy Awards and 27 gold and platinum certifications from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). She also became a bestselling author, opened her own theme park, Dollywood, and spent decades supporting charitable causes through her philanthropy.
Following her death, artists from across the country music community shared tributes and memories online. George Strait, Reba, Blake Shelton, Alan Jackson, Tim McGraw and Ella Langley were among the many artists who publicly honored Parton and offered condolences to her family.
Tributes have also reached stages around the music industry. Chris Stapleton performed a moving version of “I Will Always Love You,” while Turnpike Troubadours frontman Evan Felker performed “The Last Thing On My Mind” with Charley Crockett. Ernest dedicated “I’ll Fly Away” to Parton during a performance at Red Rocks, Jack White covered “Jolene,” and Katy Perry and Pitbull both took moments during their shows to remember the country legend.
But for Brad Paisley, Parton’s death carried a deeply personal weight.
The Song That Connected Paisley and Parton
Paisley and Parton first joined forces in 2005 on “When I Get Where I’m Going,” a song written by Rivers Rutherford and George Teren.
The collaboration became a major milestone for both artists. The song reached No. 1, becoming the 25th and final No. 1 hit of Parton’s career. It also earned Paisley and Parton two ACM Awards, for Video of the Year and Vocal Event of the Year, as well as a CMA Award for Vocal Event of the Year.
After learning of Parton’s death, Paisley shared a heartfelt tribute on Instagram. He described getting to know her as “life changing,” not only for himself but for everyone who had the opportunity to meet her.
“I never imagined this day would come. Getting to know Dolly was life changing, but not just for me. For everyone. She seemed immortal.
And in the spirit of what we sang together on this song, I believe she is. It won’t be the same down here without you Dolly. But what a legacy of goodness and art you leave for all of us.
Goodbye hero. We will always love you.”
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Paisley Performs Their Song Through Tears
Paisley returned to the stage for the first time since Parton’s passing last night at Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater in Bridgeport, Connecticut.
He worked his way through several of his familiar hits, including “She’s Everything,” “I’m Still a Guy” and “Online.” Then came the moment that clearly carried the most emotional weight: “When I Get Where I’m Going.”
As Paisley performed the No. 1 hit, a montage of black-and-white photographs of Parton appeared around him. By the end, the tribute displayed a simple message: “We love you Dolly.”
Paisley appeared to fight back tears throughout the performance, making the already poignant song feel even more personal.
Afterward, he became emotional again while explaining the story behind the collaboration. He recalled receiving the song from Rutherford and Teren and sending it to Parton after thinking about people he had lost in his own life.
Paisley told the crowd that he never imagined the song would one day become connected to Parton’s own death.
“I sent it to Dolly. I said, ‘A couple of people in my life I’ve lost. I didn’t know if this would relate to you.’ And she immediately said, ‘Yes, let me sing on that.’ And [she] did… I never thought it would be about her, but it is. It’s everything she believed, and we will always love you for.”
There have been countless tributes to Parton since her death, but Paisley’s performance carried a particular significance because of the history behind the song and the friendship they shared.
For Paisley, singing “When I Get Where I’m Going” without Parton beside him was a painful reminder of what country music has lost. At the same time, the song offered a fitting way to honor the beliefs and legacy she left behind.
Rest in peace, Dolly.