Brad Paisley and Sierra Hull's rendition of "When I Get Where I'm Going" was one of the most moving moments of the “CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton" tribute on Oct. 21. When they teamed up for the duet, which Paisley and Parton first released together in 2005, it was certainly one the most emotional moments of the night.
Standing center stage with a guitar and mandolin, Paisley and bluegrass picker Hull went back and forth on the reflective country anthem, all about saying goodbye to those we love.
The theme was perfectly suited to the moment. Paisley was clearly fighting to hold back his feelings. As the song finished, Paisley's voice was on the verge of cracking as he sang "When I get where I'm going,there'll
be only happy tears." Out of all the night's moving moments, Parton's absence was felt there more than any other.
After she passed away on Aug. 25 from cancer, Paisley shared a touching remembrance of the icon centered on "When I Get Where I'm Going."
“I never imagined this day would come. Getting to know Dolly was life-changing, but not just for me. For everyone," he wrote on social media. "She seemed immortal. And in the spirit of what we sang together on this song, I believe she is. It won’t be the same down here without you, Dolly. But what a legacy of goodness and art you leave for all of us. Goodbye, Hero. We will always love you.”
Paisley and Hull were among a long list of artists to celebrate Parton at the two-hour live TV special. From classic country legends and current superstars to bluegrass and Broadway performers, Ashley McBryde, Béla Fleck, Carly Pearce, Carrie Underwood, Darius Rucker, Kelsea Ballerini, Kristen Bell, Kristin Chenoweth, Lady A, Lainey Wilson, Little Big Town, Lukas Nelson, Molly Tuttle, Reba McEntire, Ricky Skaggs, Vince Gill and Zac Brown were also on the bill.
“CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton" aired live on ABC and Disney+ in the U.S. and internationally, and was set to be available on Hulu the following day.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Watch Brad Paisley and Sierra Hull sing emotional Dolly Parton tribute
