Memorandum
- From
- Caroline Mercer via FOX News
- Date
- Filed
- Culture·3 min to read
- Re
Carrie Underwood honors Dolly Parton's faith and legacy during emotional concert tribute
ReCarrie Underwood honors Dolly Parton's faith and legacy during emotional concert tribute
Carrie Underwood paid an emotional tribute to Dolly Parton during her debut performance at the Tanglewood Music Center, honoring the late country icon's faith, kindness, and lasting legacy.
Carrie Underwood fought back tears as she honored the late Dolly Parton during her debut performance Saturday at the Tanglewood Music Center in Lenox, Massachusetts. The 43-year-old singer told the audience that Parton was a «huge influence to so many of us, but just one of the nicest people I think I've ever met.»
Underwood described the news of Parton's death as a shock that reverberated around the world. «It was such a shock, I feel like just the whole world, like could feel the ripples, like time just stood still, and it was just like... what?» she said in a video circulating online. «She's just the one that transcends all space and all time.»
The «American Idol» judge reflected on Parton's enduring positivity, noting that the country legend «was just out there with the brightest smile on her face up until the very last day... and that's something that I feel like we can all learn from. She is gone, but she's not forgotten.»
With one finger pointed toward the sky, Underwood added, «I know where she is, and I know how much she loved Jesus.» She then asked the audience to turn on their phone flashlights to «light this place up» in honor of Parton before dedicating her song «See You Again» to the late legend.
Underwood also shared a heartfelt tribute on Instagram last week, writing, «She's not gone. I know exactly where she is. She was the epitome of faith, grace, talent, beauty and humor. She had a humble heart for Jesus and made everyone around her feel special.»
She continued, «She was probably the one person on planet Earth that everyone loved and could agree on. She was a one of one and no one will ever come close. It's alright to be sad that this world lost a legend, but heaven gained an angel. Well done, good and faithful Dolly. Welcome home.»
Parton died peacefully in Nashville, Tennessee, on Tuesday following a brief battle with cancer, according to a press release. She was surrounded by loved ones at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center.
«Our beloved Dolly Parton spent her life and career bringing joy, laughter, hope and integrity into everything she touched,» her team said in a statement. «Her unmatched generosity reached the lives of countless people whom she would never meet, yet she was always there to offer a helping hand.»
They added, «Whether it be the hundreds of millions of books donated through her invaluable Imagination Library or funding research that helped create a lifesaving vaccine used around the world, Dolly's unconditional love for all people was the guiding force for her lasting impact.»
Beyond music, Parton built a business empire in her home state of Tennessee, with Dollywood becoming one of the state's most popular attractions. Her charitable work through the Dollywood Foundation and Imagination Library also left an indelible mark on countless families and communities across the country.
