The Emmy Awards paid tribute to Dolly Parton with a performance by Reba McEntire, who performed Parton’s 1983 song “Appalachian Memories” from her album Burlap & Satin. Sally Field, who starred with Parton in the 1989 film Steel Magnolias, introduced the tribute.
“Over the years, I never stopped loving her though we lived very far apart,” Field said. “I adored her from day one. She was genuine and humble, supportive and blisteringly funny. I couldn’t see then what a real giant Dolly was — not just as an artist, but as a human.”
McEntire performed an orchestral version of “Appalachian Memories,” the same song Parton performed at the 1983 Emmys ceremony. A clip from that broadcast preceded McEntire’s performance.
Parton died in Nashville on August 25 at age 80 following a brief battle with cancer. Her sister Stella revealed that Parton hid her diagnosis from fans and family members to prevent sadness. A week before her death, Parton appeared in a video promoting a new roller coaster at Dollywood after canceling an in-person appearance due to dizziness and dehydration.
Parton was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2022 and the Country Music Hall of Fame. She received 11 Grammy Awards and starred in films including 9 to 5, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, and Steel Magnolias. She founded The Imagination Library in 1995, which has distributed over 300 million free books to children under 5 years old.
Source: Variety
