Brad Paisley and bluegrass star Sierra Hull paid tribute to Dolly Parton with a heartfelt performance of a song the country singer originally recorded with the late music legend.

The pair took the stage at Belmont University’s Fisher Center for the Performing Arts in Nashville on Wednesday, Oct. 21, as part of CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton. Together, they performed When I Get Where I’m Going, the 2005 duet Paisley and Parton recorded for his album Time Well Wasted.

The song reached No. 1 on the U.S. Hot Country Songs chart and earned several awards. Nearly two months after Parton’s death, Paisley revisited the emotional track to honor her musical legacy and the friendship they shared.

With Paisley’s warm vocals and guitar playing paired with Hull’s rich voice and award-winning mandolin skills, the performance delivered the song’s message of faith, hope and comfort. Its lyrics reflect the belief that people will one day reunite with loved ones who have passed away, making it a fitting tribute to Parton.

Brad Paisley Shares Emotional Message to Dolly Parton

Before taking the stage, Paisley reflected on Parton’s influence beyond country music, noting that her impact had reached audiences across multiple entertainment fields.

“We don’t get to claim her entirely anymore. She’s in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. She is in the acting pantheon of icons as well. But she’s from Tennessee and she is a country singer at the core. And that all would be enough to do a special like this and to honor her.”

Paisley also addressed Parton directly, acknowledging the significance of performing their song without her by his side.

“Dolly, I’m going to try to do our song justice. Thank you for singing with me in the first place,” he said.

His words added another layer of emotion to the performance, which celebrated both Parton’s lasting contribution to country music and the personal connection behind their hit duet.

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Sierra Hull Explains How Dolly Parton Inspired Her

Hull also shared how deeply Parton’s story had influenced her life and career. Like Parton, Hull grew up in Tennessee in a relatively small community, giving her a personal connection to the singer’s journey.

“I’m from a little town of about 700 people, no red light. I know what it’s like to be from somewhere where you can’t access all the same kind of things as when you grew up in a city and my family certainly knows that. So Dolly’s story has always resonated with me as a Tennessee girl, just that it doesn’t matter where you come from, if you dream big enough, anything’s possible.”

Hull described being part of the tribute as a joy and praised Parton not only for her music but also for her humanitarian work and the positive influence she had on others.

“Dolly truly has been one of my biggest heroes and influences of all time, not just as a musician, but as who she is, what she gave all of us as a humanitarian and just such a light to this world. I’m just so thrilled to be here to celebrate her tonight and alongside this insane cast of musicians, I feel so blessed to be here.”

A Star-Studded Celebration of Dolly Parton’s Legacy

CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton brought together artists from different generations and musical backgrounds to honor the country icon.

The lineup included Ashley McBryde, Béla Fleck, Carly Pearce, Carrie Underwood, Darius Rucker, Ella Langley, Kelsea Ballerini, Kristen Bell, Kristin Chenoweth, Lady A, Lainey Wilson, Little Big Town, Lukas Nelson, Molly Tuttle, Reba McEntire, Ricky Skaggs, Vince Gill and Zac Brown. Amy Grant and Kimberly Williams-Paisley also appeared as special guests.

The two-hour special included tributes from some of Parton’s longtime friends and fellow entertainment figures, including Bono, Carol Burnett, Goldie Hawn, Julia Roberts and Oprah Winfrey.

Filmed before a live audience at Belmont University’s Fisher Center for the Performing Arts, the special aired on ABC and Disney+ on Wednesday, Oct. 21, with streaming on Hulu available the following day.

The CMA and Belmont University will also donate a portion of the event’s proceeds to Parton’s Imagination Library, the book-gifting program she founded to support early childhood literacy.

Through their performance of When I Get Where I’m Going, Paisley and Hull honored not only Parton’s musical achievements but also the hope and inspiration she shared with generations of artists and fans.