Brad Paisley gets emotional as he sings his Dolly Parton duet solo days after her death

‘I never thought it would be about her, but it is,’ Brad Paisley said after performing his 2005 duet with Dolly Parton, ‘When I Get Where I’m Going’
Brad Paisley paid tribute to Dolly Parton during his August 27 concert in Bridgeport, Connecticut (Dave Hogan/Getty Images)
Brad Paisley paid tribute to Dolly Parton during his August 27 concert in Bridgeport, Connecticut (Dave Hogan/Getty Images)

BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT: Brad Paisley could not control his emotions as he honored Dolly Parton by performing a solo rendition of their 2005 hit, ‘When I Get Where I’m Going’.

After Parton’s death on Tuesday, August 25, the 53-year-old paid tribute during his Bridgeport, Connecticut, concert in his own way and revealed how the global icon and his collaboration happened.



Brad Paisley reveals how Dolly Parton agreed to work with him

Paisley told the concertgoers, “When I recorded that song and sent it to Dolly, I said, ‘A couple of people in my life I’ve lost, and I didn’t know if this would relate to you.’ She immediately said, ‘Yes, let me sing on that,’ and did.”

The song reportedly deals with the subject of life after death as the lyrics go: “When I get where I’m going, There’ll be only happy tears / I will shed the sins and struggles, I have carried all these years / And I’ll leave my heart wide open, I will love and have no fear / Yeah when I get where I’m going, Don’t cry for me down here.”

During the concert on Thursday, Paisley noted that the song has begun to hit him in a new way.

Brad Paisley and honoree Dolly Parton attend the 11th Annual ACM Honors at the Ryman Auditorium on August 23, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for ACM)
Brad Paisley and honoree Dolly Parton attend the 11th Annual ACM Honors at the Ryman Auditorium on August 23, 2017, in Nashville, Tennessee (Rick Diamond/Getty Images for ACM)

“I never thought it would be about her, but it is. It’s everything she believed, and we will always love you, Dolly,” the 'He Didn't Have to Be' crooner shared.

Dolly Parton died surrounded by loved ones

Parton was 80 when she died after a brief battle with cancer. Her team announced her death, saying, “Dolly’s unconditional love for all people was the guiding force for her lasting impact. After bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones.”

Another statement issued by her manager, Danny Nozell, mentioned that though Parton is no more, her work and projects won’t stop.

FILE - Dolly Parton poses at the Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy Ceremony in New York, on Oct. 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki, File)
Dolly Parton poses at the Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy Ceremony in New York, on October 13, 2022 (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki, File)

“If you see unreleased music, products, books, experiences, and campaigns launched through official Dolly Parton channels, you can have confidence in knowing that she placed her personal stamp on it,” the 59-year-old manager said.

Kimberly Williams-Paisley calls Dolly Parton 'an incredible business woman and philanthropist'

Meanwhile, like Paisley, his actress wife Kimberly Williams-Paisley also paid a heartfelt tribute to the ‘9 to 5’ hitmaker in a social media post.

“I first met Dolly Parton when she and Brad recorded ‘When I Get Where I’m Going.’ She was immediately approachable, funny, kind, and generous. And her voice! Well, it pierced my soul in the best way,” Kimberly wrote on Instagram alongside two photos of herself with Parton.

Further commenting on the late actress’ philanthropic works, she added, “Dolly did so much good in her beautiful life on earth, from helping kids learn to love to read, to inspiring so many people to love each other well. In addition to her astounding talent, she was an incredible business woman and philanthropist. Dolly will always live on in her music and in our hearts.”

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