Kacey Musgraves paid tribute to Dolly Parton at the MTV VMAs on Sunday with a solo piano-and-voice performance of “I Will Always Love You.” The tribute opened with a video clip of Parton herself singing the song, with Musgraves harmonizing on the last lines. Musgraves, appearing at the VMAs for the first time in five years, then took over for a gentle solo version of Parton’s signature ballad.
Musgraves wore a glittery, Parton-worthy gown for the performance. She pre-taped the set in Nashville at the Bridgestone Arena while she was performing her Middle of Nowhere tour that night.
A Solo Performance
The tribute was a simple arrangement: Musgraves at the piano, her voice carrying the melody. There were no backing vocals, no band, no production trickery. Just the song, the singer, and the memory of a woman who shaped American music for decades.
The choice of “I Will Always Love You” was deliberate. Parton wrote the song first, and it became a standard covered by countless artists. Musgraves chose to sing it alone, letting the melody do the talking. That decision spoke volumes about how she wanted to approach the tribute — intimate, direct, and uncluttered by spectacle.
Country Music’s Long History at the VMAs
Country acts have rarely appeared at the MTV VMAs. The category only arrived in 2025. Musgraves is up for that category this year for “Dry Spell.”
The VMAs have a long history of honoring Parton through music videos rather than live appearances. Her catalog includes “9 to 5,” which featured clips of her movie co-stars Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin. Parton herself never appeared at the VMAs, but her influence has been present across the show’s history.
A Decade of Musgraves at the VMAs
Musgraves has a strong record at the awards show. She lit the stage on fire with a dramatic take on “Star-Crossed” in 2021. Megan Moroney performed “Six Months Later” at last year’s awards.
Musgraves’ own performances have been a highlight of the show’s recent years. Her 2021 set was described as dramatic. Sunday’s tribute continued that run, though in a quieter register — a solo piano performance rather than a full-band spectacle.
The Words at Madison Square Garden
Parton died Aug. 25. Musgraves has been paying tribute to her often on tour, covering “9 to 5” in New York and “Here You Come Again” in Boston and speaking to the audience about her impact.
“The world definitely lost a light, and it’s hard for me to talk about,” she told the crowd at Madison Square Garden. “And I know how much Dolly meant to everybody also in this room. I think why it feels so dark is it’s already hard to navigate these times right now, and then we lose a matriarch.”
Those words captured the weight of the loss. Musgraves called Parton “a supernova of a person,” a description that fits a woman whose influence stretched far beyond country music. The tribute at the VMAs was one more opportunity to acknowledge that loss publicly.
The Tribute’s Place in the Show
The tribute came during a ceremony that honored Parton’s life and work. The video clip set the tone: Parton singing, Musgraves joining in, then Musgraves taking the stage alone.
The performance stood apart from the rest of the show, a reminder that sometimes a single voice is enough. Musgraves did not need a big production to make the point — she just sat at the piano and sang.
What We Know
- Date: The tribute took place on Sunday at the MTV VMAs.
- Song: Musgraves performed “I Will Always Love You.”
- Format: Pre-taped at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.
- Dress: Musgraves wore a glittery, Parton-worthy gown.
- Category debut: The country category arrived in 2025.
- Parton’s death: Aug. 25.
A Comparison of Musgraves’ VMAs Performances
| Year | Song | Category |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Star-Crossed | N/A |
| Last year | Six Months Later | N/A |
| This year | “Dry Spell” | Up for “Dry Spell” |
The comparison shows Musgraves’ appearances at the show over the past decade. Each year brought a new song and a new moment for the audience to connect with her work. The pattern holds: she shows up, performs something meaningful, and leaves the crowd with a lasting impression.
The tribute was a chance to honor Parton’s legacy without overshadowing it. Musgraves delivered a performance that let the song breathe — a solo piano take on a song that Parton herself wrote and recorded. The choice of song was fitting, given that it was Parton’s original composition.
Musgraves has made a habit of showing up when it counts. Her words at Madison Square Garden proved that she meant it. The VMAs tribute was another chance to say it, and she said it well.
Source material: “Kacey Musgraves Pays Tribute to Dolly Parton With ‘I Will Always Love You’ at MTV VMAs,” Rolling Stone.
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