Brad Paisley Fought Back Tears While Honoring Dolly Parton in Concert Tribute

Brad Paisley wasn’t expecting one of his old songs with Dolly Parton to hit quite this hard.

Just days after the country music icon died at 80 following a “brief battle with cancer,” Paisley took a deeply emotional moment during his August 27 concert at Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater in Bridgeport, Conn., to honor his longtime collaborator.

The 53-year-old singer performed “When I Get Where I’m Going,” his 2005 duet with the music legend, in a stripped-down solo performance that left the crowd visibly moved. But it was what Paisley said afterward that made the moment even more heartbreaking.

“When I recorded that song and sent it to Dolly, I said, ‘A couple of people in my life I’ve lost, and I didn’t know if this would relate to you,’” the “Whiskey Lullaby” singer recalled.

“She immediately said, ‘Yes, let me sing on that,’ and did," he added.

As he remembered how the collaboration came together, Paisley became visibly emotional, with his voice reportedly thick with emotion as he fought back tears. The audience responded with loud cheers and support.

The song, which centers on the idea of heaven and life after death, has always carried an emotional message. But following Parton’s passing, Paisley admitted that the lyrics now hit differently.

“I never thought it would be about her, but it is,” he told the crowd, adding, “It’s everything she believed, and we will always love you, Dolly.”

The bittersweet performance became even more poignant as photos of the “9 to 5” singer appeared on the large screen behind Paisley. Among the images were several pictures of the late country legend, including sweet shots of her with the American singer, while one photo showed Parton smiling beneath the words, “We Love You Dolly.”

Her death was announced by her nephew, Bryan Seaver, in an Instagram video on August 25.

A representative for the “Jolene” singer told People in a statement, “Our beloved Dolly Parton spent her life and career bringing joy, laughter, hope and integrity into everything she touched. Her unmatched generosity reached the lives of countless people whom she would never meet, yet she was always there to offer a helping hand."

“Whether it be the hundreds of millions of books donated through her invaluable Imagination Library or funding research that helped create a lifesaving vaccine used around the world, Dolly’s unconditional love for all people was the guiding force for her lasting impact. After bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones,” the statement concluded.