Sally Field started the night by praising Dolly Parton, speaking warmly about how much the singer meant to her personally. Then Reba McEntire stepped up to perform Parton’s 1983 country song “Appalachian Memories,” closing out a tribute that was built entirely around fond memories of the star.
“God bless you Dolly Parton, my friend.”
Field’s Introduction
Field took the stage to present the tribute, recalling the very first time she met Parton and how those feelings endured across years of separation.
“I adored her from day one. How could you not?” Field said. “Over the years, I never stopped loving her though we lived very far apart.”
Parton’s humor and character came across as intimate rather than formal, according to Field, who described her with that quality.
“She was genuine and humble, supportive and blisteringly funny with a bawdy sense of humor that would send any rude guy looking for a place to hide,” she said. “I couldn’t see then what a real giant Dolly was — not just as an artist, but as a human. She was a humanitarian whose contributions have made a profound difference in the lives of so many in her home state of Tennessee and across our country.”
Field’s closing remarks ended the tribute with a plain declaration of fond regard.
“I am not the only one on Earth that will love you forever and ever.”
Reba McEntire Takes the Stage
Before McEntire appeared on stage, viewers were shown a clip from the 1983 Emmy broadcast featuring Parton discussing the song. Then came the orchestral performance of “Appalachian Memories.”.
“I grew up in the smoky mountains, the Appalachian Mountains. I have written a song that touches me very deep. I’m sure in your own way, you will to this. This song, like I say, is very important to me. And I hope you don’t like it. If you don’t like it, if you don’t mind, I would rather not hear about it later.”
Parton’s warmth came through in the footage, along with her determination to be evaluated without reference to anyone else.
Parton’s Death and Legacy
On Aug. 25, Dolly Parton passed away in Nashville at 80 years old after a short fight against cancer. Her sister, Stella, has since said that Parton kept her illness concealed from fans and some family members so that their last recollections of her would be without sorrow.
“Dolly did not want anybody to tell that because Dolly could not bear negative things,” Stella said on “CBS Mornings.” “She would not have wanted her fans worried about it… She didn’t want a lot of the family worried about it.”
Parton alluded to her health issues without fully disclosing their scope. Just a week before she died, she showed up in a video touting a new roller coaster at her Dollywood theme park, even though she had canceled an in-person appearance because of dizziness and dehydration.
Last year, she called off her Las Vegas residency, and “health challenges,” ended up canceling the rescheduled dates as well.
A Career Spanning Music, Film and Philanthropy
Throughout her career, Parton crossed over into music, film and philanthropy. She took home 11 Grammys during her career and appeared in films including “9 to 5,” “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” and “Steel Magnolias.”.
The two tracks “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You”, both of which still stand as some of her most celebrated works, help explain why she is regarded as an icon in country music.
Inductions and Honors
Throughout her career, Parton was recognized with numerous honors. She entered the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2022, followed by releasing her last album, “Rockstar,” a year after that induction. She was also inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, and the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Later in her life, she became a National Medal of Arts honoree and a recipient of Kennedy Center Honors.
The Imagination Library
The Imagination Library was founded by Parton in 1995, and it sends free books to kids under 5 years old. The organization said last year that it has distributed more than 300 million books since it started.
The program has been one of her most visible legacies.
The Tribute’s Place in the Ceremony
Field’s words were personal and specific, drawing on shared history rather than empty praise. McEntire’s performance of “Appalachian Memories” kept the focus on the music that defined her career.
The 1983 broadcast clip provided historical context by showing Parton’s personality through her own words. The track, composed for her twenty-fifth solo studio album “Burlap & Satin,” draws on her personal connection to her Appalachian heritage.
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tribute host | Sally Field |
| Performer | Reba McEntire |
| Tribute subject | Dolly Parton |
| Song performed | “Appalachian Memories” (1983) |
| Album the song appears on | “Burlap & Satin” |
| Tribute type | Fond memories of the star |
The two performances framed the tribute as a celebration of memory rather than a statement about Parton’s work. Field’s introduction drew directly on her own history with the star, while McEntire’s musical choice kept the ceremony centered on the song that defined Parton’s early career. The 1983 clip offered viewers a look at Parton’s personality as she discussed the song herself. Together, the three elements created a tribute that honored Parton’s legacy through the eyes of people who knew her personally.
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