Kelsea Ballerini Brings Dolly Parton’s ‘Here You Come Again’ to Life in Heartfelt Tribute to Her Musical Hero

Kelsea Ballerini grew up viewing Dolly Parton almost like a “fair godmother” figure, someone who even if you never saw them, you knew they were there. She grew up listening to her music and visiting Dollywood and now got the chance to remember her in her own career, something that means so much to the country star.

Last night, Oct. 21, Ballerini took part in performing on the two-hour TV special, “CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton.” Knowing that the icon was watching, celebrating and smiling down with everyone, the East Tennessee native delivered the 1977 hit, “Here you Come Again.”

The country star looked every bit the part for the special occasion, wearing a shimmering silver gown covered in rhinestones, topped with a dazzling fringe shawl that caught the light as she moved.

Ballerini made sure the audience was part of the moment, encouraging the crowd to sing along as she performed in honor of such a beloved figure. With a smile on her face, she embraced the lighter, feel-good spirit of the song, creating a joyful moment in the show.

As the performance came to a close, Ballerini shared a simple but heartfelt message, “We love you, Miss Dolly.”

The setting surrounding Kelsea Ballerini’s performance perfectly embodied the spirit of Dolly Parton, with the stage and screen filled with imagery of  “love, magic, and butterflies,” all things Ballerini believes the country icon has brought into the world.

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For her, Parton’s legacy goes beyond her music, representing a woman who broke barriers while never letting go of her signature sparkle and femininity.

“I think Dolly Parton is one of the most iconic and legendary artists and women, but I think she was a trailblazer before we really understood that that can mean more than one thing. You can be a trailblazer and be sparkly too. And I know for me that means a lot,” Ballerini stated.

“CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton”

“CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton” set out to unite artists from multiple generations and genres with a star-powered list of performers. The lineup included a mix of fellow Country Music Hall of Fame members, country music superstars, and celebrated bluegrass acts, Broadway and beyond.

Among those who took the stage were Ashley McBryde, Béla Fleck, Brad Paisley, Carly Pearce, Carrie Underwood, Darius Rucker, Ella Langley, Kristen Bell, Kristin Chenoweth, Lady A, Lainey Wilson, Little Big Town, Lukas Nelson, Molly Tuttle, Reba McEntire, Ricky Skaggs, Sierra Hull, Vince Gill and Zac Brown. Additionally, Amy Grant and Kimberly Williams-Paisley joined as special guests.

Along with the unforgettable performances, the night featured special tributes from some of Dolly’s friends and longtime connections throughout the entertainment industry, like Bono, Carol Burnett, Goldie Hawn, Julia Roberts and Oprah Winfrey.

The two-hour special was broadcast live from Belmont University on ABC and Disney+ in the U.S. and internationally. Filmed before a live audience at Belmont University’s Fisher Center for the Performing Arts in Nashville, the special is also available to stream on Hulu.

The CMA and Belmont University pledged to donate a portion of the proceeds from the tribute special to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, resulting in a combined $1 million donation to support the program’s mission of putting books into the hands of children.