Reba McEntire Honors Dolly Parton With Emotional Performance at the 2026 Emmys

Reba McEntire turned the 2026 Emmy Awards into a deeply personal farewell to her longtime friend Dolly Parton, delivering an emotional performance of Parton’s “Appalachian Memories” just weeks after the country music legend’s death.

The 78th Primetime Emmy Awards were held Monday, Sept. 14, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, bringing together television’s biggest stars to celebrate the year’s outstanding work. But amid the evening’s awards and celebrations, one of its most poignant moments came when McEntire took the stage to remember Parton.

Reba McEntire Pays Tribute to a Lifelong Friend

 

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Parton died on Aug. 25 at age 80 following a brief battle with cancer, a loss that prompted an outpouring of tributes from across the entertainment world.

McEntire and Parton had shared a close friendship for decades, dating back to the early years of McEntire’s country music career. Their relationship continued through major milestones in both women’s professional and personal lives, and they also collaborated musically.

Following Parton’s death, McEntire shared a heartfelt tribute on social media alongside a montage of photos capturing their years of friendship.

“There will never be another you,” McEntire wrote.

She also thanked God for Parton and imagined her singing her favorite songs in heaven with family and friends who had passed before her.

“I will always love you,” McEntire wrote.

The two country icons had most recently recorded together in 2021, when Parton joined McEntire for a new version of “Does He Love You.” Parton also appeared as a guest on McEntire’s sitcom Reba.

 

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A Moving Performance of “Appalachian Memories”

Reba McEntire pays tribute to Dolly Parton singing “Appalachian Memories” #Emmys https://t.co/qygDX44XTB

— Deadline (@DEADLINE) September 15, 2026

At the Emmys, McEntire appeared in an elegant all-white gown as she performed Parton’s “Appalachian Memories.”

The stage was transformed into a soft, cloud-filled setting, while photographs of Parton appeared behind McEntire throughout the performance. The visuals offered a look back at the life and career of the beloved singer, songwriter and entertainer.

McEntire appeared visibly emotional as she sang, giving the performance an intimate quality that reflected the friendship between the two country stars.

“Appalachian Memories,” originally released by Parton in 1983, became the centerpiece of the Emmy tribute. When the song came to an end, McEntire offered a final message to the friend she had just honored.

“I love you, Dolly,” she said.

The tribute was part of a dedicated Emmy segment for Parton, introduced by her former Steel Magnolias costar Sally Field.

Sally Field Remembers Dolly Parton

Before McEntire’s performance, Field reflected on the loss of her longtime friend and costar.

Field and Parton worked together in the 1989 film Steel Magnolias, and Field spoke about the lasting affection she had for Parton.

“If there are truly angels on earth, then we just lost one, Dolly Parton,” Field said.

She remembered Parton as genuine, humble, supportive and exceptionally funny, while emphasizing that her greatness extended far beyond her career as an artist.

Field also highlighted Parton’s humanitarian contributions, particularly the impact she had made in Tennessee and across the country.

“God bless you, Dolly Parton, my friend,” Field said. “I am not the only one on earth that will love you forever and ever.”

The tribute brought together two people who knew Parton in different parts of her extraordinary life: Field as a film costar and McEntire as a close friend and fellow country music star.

Dolly Parton’s Emmy Legacy

Parton’s connection to the television industry stretched back decades.

She received her first Emmy nomination in 1978 for Outstanding Continuing or Single Performance by a Supporting Actress in Variety or Music for her appearance on Cher… Special. Over the years, she earned additional recognition for her television work as both a performer and producer.

Her television movie Dolly Parton’s Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love, which she executive produced, was nominated for Outstanding Television Movie in 2017. She received another nomination in the category in 2020 for executive producing Dolly Parton’s Heartstrings: These Old Bones.

In 2021, Parton won her first and only Emmy for Outstanding Television Movie as an executive producer of Dolly Parton’s Christmas on the Square. Her final Emmy nomination came in 2023, when Dolly Parton’s Mountain Magic Christmas was nominated for Outstanding Television Movie.

Her television influence also extended behind the camera. In 1985, Parton and her longtime manager Sandy Gallin founded Sandollar Productions, which went on to produce successful television series including Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel.

Parton was also the star of her own variety series, Dolly, which aired in syndication from 1976 to 1977 and later returned on ABC from 1987 to 1988. She remained a familiar television presence through guest appearances on shows including The Simpsons, Designing Women, Grace and Frankie, Reba and Hannah Montana.

For a performer whose career crossed music, film and television, the Emmy tribute was a fitting celebration of Parton’s lasting influence.

And for McEntire, the night was ultimately less about celebrating a career than saying goodbye to a friend.

As her performance ended, those few words — “I love you, Dolly” — became an emotional final note to a woman she had cherished for decades.