Reba McEntire Honors Her longtime Friend Dolly Parton With Powerful Performance of ‘He’s Alive’ Alongside Belmont University Choir
The performance earned a well-deserved standing ovation.
Reba McEntire; Photo by John Russell/CMA
Reba McEntire was a beloved friend of Dolly Parton’s. Today, on October 21, she got to be a part of the Nashville community coming together to mourn the great loss, while also celebrating her life and the impact she had on countless people.
Dressed in a stunning floor-length white gown decorated with gold rhinestone fringe, McEntire delivered a powerful performance of the gospel classic “He’s Alive.” Her commanding vocals brought the song’s message of faith and hope to the forefront, creating an incredibly moving moment.
Since the two-hour special honoring the country music icon will be broadcast live from Belmont University, McEntire was joined by a student ensemble as part of the school’s Dolly U Program.
Mid-way through the performance, the students joined her on stage, taking the moment to the next level and earning a standing ovation.
In a pre-show interview, McEntire spoke about how involved Parton was in the community and “Dolly U,” is just another example of that. This is a program that seeks to engage students in learning from Parton’s career, artistry and entrepreneurial legacy.
“She has got such a story of how she got to where she was in the music business, all the things she was involved in, all the people she helped and all the people she entertained…She was such a giving and warm, loving person who had the wicked sense of humor,” McEntire proudly said of Dolly Parton.
“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, Kelsea Ballerini, Kristen Bell, Kristin Chenoweth, Lady A, Lainey Wilson, Little Big Town, Lukas Nelson, Molly Tuttle, 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 will also be available to stream the next day on Hulu.
The CMA and Belmont University will donate a portion of the proceeds from tonight’s event to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.
Madeleine O’Connell graduated from North Central College with a bachelors degree in Journalism and Broadcast Communications before deciding to pursue her studies further at DePaul University. There, she earned her masters degree in Digital Communication & Media Arts. O’Connell served as a freelance writer for over two years while also interning with the Academy of Country Music, SiriusXM and Circle Media and assisting with Amazon Music’s Country Heat Weekly podcast. In addition to Country Now, she has been published in American Songwriter, Music Mayhem, and Holler.Country. Madeleine O’Connell is a member of the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music.
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