Ten years ago today, Dolly Parton sat in a Nashville arena and listened to a lineup of stars sing her songs back to her.
It was Wednesday, Nov 2, 2016, the night of the 50th CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena. The show was hosted by Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley, two country stars who were co-hosting together for the ninth time.
That night Dolly received the CMA’s Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award, an honor named for country singer Willie Nelson. Her “9 to 5” co-star Lily Tomlin presented it. But first came a musical tribute, with Dolly in the room to see every minute of it.
It was a parade of her hits. Singer Jennifer Nettles and the group Pentatonix sang “Jolene.” Then country singer Reba McEntire took on “9 to 5,” and country singer Kacey Musgraves sang “Here You Come Again.” Along the way Reba took a moment to tell Dolly how much they all loved her.
Then came the big one.
Carrie stepped up with Martina McBride, another country favorite, to sing “I Will Always Love You,” Dolly’s own song, while Dolly watched from her seat. Near the end, Jennifer, Reba and Kacey joined them. Watch it all the way through, because hearing those voices together on Dolly’s song is something special.
Carrie Underwood and Martina McBride sing “I Will Always Love You” for Dolly
When the song was over, fellow country star Vince Gill walked Dolly up to the stage to accept her award.
The show was running behind, and the organizers had asked her to keep it short. Dolly let the room know, in her own way, that she’d noticed. “They say they’re behind, but you’re talking about a lifetime here, right?”
So what did she say about that beautiful song? A performance like that could make anybody cry.
Dolly had a reason she didn’t. “This was so touching,” she said. “I would have cried, but I didn’t want to mess up my eyelashes.”
The whole arena laughed.
Even in a moment that big, she found a way to make people laugh. This clip has the tribute medley and her acceptance speech together, so you can see the whole night unfold.
The tribute medley and Dolly’s acceptance speech
She didn’t forget the people who got her there, either. “I just wanna thank all my fans and everybody for allowing me to see my little girl dreams come true.”
Dolly passed away in August. Carrie sang “I Will Always Love You” for her again at a tribute this year, but this 2016 night was different. Dolly was sitting right there, close enough to hear every note, and she got the last word.
If you’d like to relive the whole thing from start to finish, this upload has the complete award segment. It’s a nice way to spend a few minutes with Dolly on the anniversary.
Dolly’s full Lifetime Achievement Award segment from 2016
Whichever clip you pick, it’s a chance to spend a few more minutes with Dolly, ten years after the night she saved her eyelashes.