We Are All Crushed Here at Our House… Vince Gill Could Barely Hold It Together… The Dolly Parton Song They Once Sang Together Became His Heartbreaking Goodbye More Than 30 Years Later

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Vince Gill Delivers Tearful Tribute to Dolly Parton With “I Will Always Love You”

Vince Gill struggled to hold back tears as he performed “I Will Always Love You” in honor of his longtime friend and collaborator Dolly Parton, just two days after her death.

Vince

Gill took the stage at Kansas City’s Midland Theatre on Thursday, August 27, where he paused to reflect on Parton’s passing before performing the song they famously recorded together in 1995. The emotional moment was captured in videos shared by fans from the concert.

Gill told the audience that he and his family had been “crushed” by the news of Parton’s death. He then dedicated his performance of “I Will Always Love You” to the country music legend.

As Gill worked his way through the song, he became visibly emotional at several points. His voice reflected the weight of the moment as he fought back tears, while the Kansas City crowd offered their support and cheered him on through the final notes.

The performance carried particular significance because Gill and Parton shared a history with the song. The pair released their duet version of “I Will Always Love You” in 1995 and performed it together at that year’s CMA Awards.

Vince Gill Remembers Dolly Parton

Parton died on Tuesday, August 25, at the age of 80 following a brief battle with cancer. Her death was announced by her nephew, Bryan Seaver, in a video shared through Parton’s Instagram account. Her death was also confirmed by representatives, who said she died peacefully in Nashville, Tennessee.

Gill was among the artists who quickly paid tribute to Parton following the news. In an Instagram post, he shared footage of the pair performing “I Will Always Love You” at the 1995 CMA Awards.

Alongside the video, Gill reflected on the experience and the powerful memory he shared with Parton.

“We are all crushed here at our house,” he wrote. “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.”

That memory took on even greater significance when Gill returned to the song onstage in Kansas City two days after Parton’s death.

For a performer who had shared both a friendship and musical history with Parton, singing “I Will Always Love You” became a deeply personal farewell. The audience’s reaction at the Midland Theatre offered Gill support as he made his way through the emotional performance.