Lainey Wilson And Vince Gill Deliver A Powerful Dolly Parton Tribute At The Grand Ole Opry
Lainey Wilson and Vince Gill created one of the most memorable moments of the Opry Goes Dolly celebration, joining forces at the Grand Ole Opry to honour Dolly Parton just days before the country legend’s 80th birthday.
The special evening took place on Saturday, January 17, ahead of Parton’s milestone birthday on Monday, January 19. For Wilson, however, the night was about more than simply performing songs by one of country music’s biggest icons. It was an opportunity to celebrate an artist she deeply admires — and to share the stage with another of her musical heroes.
Lainey Wilson Calls Vince Gill A “Hero”
Wilson began her set with “WWDD (What Would Dolly Do),” “Somewhere Over Laredo” and “4X4XU” before inviting Vince Gill onto the stage.
The 33-year-old singer made no attempt to hide how meaningful the introduction was.
She described Gill as one of her heroes and reflected on the advice people often give about meeting the artists they admire. Wilson explained that she had already met two of her own musical heroes: Gill and Dolly Parton.
Her admiration for Gill was particularly heartfelt, telling the audience that she could listen to him “sing the phone book” and insisting that, in her eyes, he could do no wrong.
The two Opry members then began a two-song tribute dedicated to Parton.
A Heartfelt Performance Of “Light Of A Clear Blue Morning”
Their first selection was “Light of a Clear Blue Morning,” Parton’s song originally released in 1977 on her 18th solo studio album, New Harvest… First Gathering.
Wilson also had a personal connection to a newly released version of the song. In January 2026, she joined Miley Cyrus, Reba McEntire and Queen Latifah for a special recording that supported pediatric cancer research at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.
Before singing the song at the Opry, Wilson spoke openly about her relationship with Parton and the privilege of being involved in the celebration.
She recalled spending time with Parton in the studio and said the legendary singer was exactly the person audiences believed her to be — genuine, kind and authentic.
“She’s got a heart of gold, and I’m honored to be here celebrating her tonight,” Wilson told the crowd.
It was a fitting sentiment for an evening built around Parton’s extraordinary influence on country music and the artists who followed her.
“I Will Always Love You” Brings The Crowd To Its Feet
The emotional high point came when Wilson and Gill closed their set with “I Will Always Love You,” Parton’s enduring classic.
As photographs of Parton appeared across the large screen behind the performers, Gill opened the song with the first verse and chorus. Wilson then took over for the second verse before the pair came together for the closing section.
Their voices blended through the final moments of the song, creating a powerful tribute to the woman whose songwriting and career have influenced generations of country performers.
As they reached the famous chorus, Wilson and Gill sang together, and the Grand Ole Opry audience rose to its feet in a standing ovation.
It was the kind of finale that captured exactly why the celebration had brought so many artists together: Parton’s music remains deeply woven into the lives and careers of those who came after her.
A Star-Studded Night For Dolly Parton
Wilson and Gill were among a larger group of performers taking part in the Opry Goes Dolly celebration.
The lineup also included Elizabeth Nichols, Mark Wills, Sierra Hull, Rhonda Vincent and Trannie Anderson, who made her Grand Ole Opry debut during the special event.
The celebration also extended beyond the stage, with the evening incorporating fundraising efforts connected to two causes.
For every ticket sold to the Opry show, $5 was donated to Parton’s Imagination Library, her long-running program that provides free, high-quality books to children from birth through age five, regardless of their family’s income.
A Rare Piece Of Dolly Parton History Goes Up For Auction
The Grand Ole Opry also partnered with Julien’s to give fans an opportunity to own an unusual piece of Parton memorabilia while supporting the Opry Trust Fund.
The online-only auction opened Saturday evening and was scheduled to continue through February 2.
Among the most notable items was a one-of-a-kind microphone stand signed by Parton. Covered in rhinestones and butterflies and featuring an autographed plaque, the piece was unmistakably designed in the singer’s signature style.
Parton received the microphone stand in 2025 as part of the Opry 100 celebration, when she signed the plaque.
The item also came with a framed photograph of Parton taken during one of the most important moments of her early career: her induction into the Grand Ole Opry at the Ryman on January 4, 1969. The photograph was taken by longtime Opry staff photographer Les Leverett.
Proceeds from the auction were set to benefit the Opry Trust Fund, which provides financial support to people who are or have been employed full-time in the country music industry when they face extraordinary need, emergencies or catastrophes.
Since its creation, the fund has distributed more than $5.7 million.
A Celebration Worthy Of A Country Music Icon
From Wilson’s emotional words about Parton to her reunion with Vince Gill and their stirring performance of “I Will Always Love You,” the Opry Goes Dolly celebration offered a deeply personal tribute to a country music legend.
For Wilson, sharing the stage with two artists she considers heroes made the night especially meaningful. And when she and Gill joined their voices for Parton’s timeless classic, the standing ovation from the Opry audience brought the celebration to an unforgettable close.
With Parton’s 80th birthday approaching, the evening served as a powerful reminder of the remarkable influence her music, generosity and legacy continue to have across generations of country artists.