WATCH: Chris Stapleton Honors Dolly Parton With Emotional ‘I Will Always Love You’ Performance Following Her Death

Chris Stapleton paid tribute to Dolly Parton on Wednesday night, just one day after the country legend’s death.

The country superstar was performing a show at Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater in Wantagh, New York as part of his All-American Road Show Tour. In the midst of his set, he took a break from delivering his original tunes to honor Parton following the announcement of her passing on Tuesday, August 25.

At the time, Parton’s nephew and head of security, Bryan Seaver, shared the heartbreaking news of her death, remembering his aunt Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean as a “sister, sis, Aunt, Granny to one generation and Gigi to the next.”

In the hours following her death, more details about her final days began to emerge. We learned that Parton had been hospitalized at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville on Aug. 21 after experiencing kidney and autoimmune issues. Her representatives later confirmed that she had also been privately battling cancer.

As countless tributes, memories and condolences poured in from around the world, Stapleton offered his own moving tribute from the stage. The crowd fell silent while a black and white image of Parton appeared on the screen while Stapleton began delivering the emotional rendition of her beloved classic “I Will Always Love You,” creating one of the most powerful musical tributes to the late icon so far.

@livenationnyc @Chris Stapleton pays tribute to the late & great Dolly Parton with a beautiful cover of “I Will Always Love You” tonight on Long Island 🩷🦋 #chrisstapleton #dollyparton #longisland #fyp #jonesbeach ♬ original sound – Live Nation NYC

There’s no telling just how many times people have performed this timeless hit, but it’s safe to say that Stapleton’s is one that stands out. His unmistakable, gritty tone and impressive vocal range brought a raw and soulful edge to the song as he allowed the emotion of Parton’s lyrics to take center stage in a way that felt deeply respectful. The crowd eventually broke out into a massive singalong in remembrance of the multifaceted entertainer.

After closing out the final note, Stapleton went on to reflect on the lasting impact Parton had on music and the people lucky enough to know her. He encouraged the crowd to carry forward the kindness and generosity she was known for.

“Dolly Parton was one of the greatest musical…kindest and sweetest people we’ve ever had on this planet earth and we should be grateful for what she’s given us and we should follow her example. I had the pleasure to meet her a few times and work with her a little bit and she was everything that she ever dreamed that she would have been. We will all miss her very much. I miss her tonight and every night after this,” he admitted.

Stapleton and Parton worked together on a few occasions, like he mentioned, one being on Parton’s 2023 cover album, Rockstar, where they teamed up for a rendition of Bob Seger’s “Night Moves.”

Chris Stapleton joins the country music community in mourning the loss of someone who’s legacy will continue to live on through her music, philanthropy and her many various projects she poured her heart into throughout her legendary career.