Kacey Musgraves paid a deeply moving tribute to Dolly Parton during the MTV Video Music Awards in 2026, performing her iconic hit ‘I Will Always Love You’ just a month after the country music legend passed away.
The pre-taped segment opened with archival footage of Parton sharing wisdom from 1974, when she introduced the melody. In the clip, the late icon advised the audience to appreciate their partners, joking, ‘Don’t criticize your wife’s judgment. You just remember who she married,’ before wishing everyone kindness and fulfillment in life.
As Parton’s voice sang the chorus, Musgraves stepped up to the microphone, accompanied only by a piano. With her eyes closed for much of the performance, the singer delivered an emotive cover that drew thunderous applause from the audience.
This performance follows a series of tributes Musgraves has offered since Parton’s death in August. At a Boston concert, she dedicated her track ‘Rainbow’ to the star and performed ‘Here You Come Again.’ A few days later at Madison Square Garden in New York, she covered ‘9 to 5,’ noting, ‘I’m not over it, and I’m never gonna be over it.’ She described Parton as ‘the closest thing we’ve ever had to royalty’ and a vital matriarch whose loss made current times feel even darker.
The two artists previously shared the stage at the 2019 MusiCares Person of the Year event, where they performed ‘Here You Come Again’ alongside Katy Perry, with Parton joining them in a white dress with flowing sleeves. In a 2021 interview with Rolling Stone, Musgraves praised Parton as a pioneering songwriter, businesswoman, and style icon who proudly embraced her femininity without shrinking her flamboyant nature.
I didn’t know she covered 9 to 5 at MSG too. This tribute tour is truly making me miss Dolly even more.
That archival clip of Dolly joking about her husband had me laughing through tears. Absolute legend.