Reba McEntire got emotional while paying tribute to her friend of many decades: Dolly Parton.
McEntire was the first star to deliver a speech during the star-studded Oct. 21 tribute event in Nashville, “CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton."
The two-hour event, which began airing live across the nation at 8 p.m. CT via ABC and Disney+, took place before a live audience at Belmont University’s Fisher Center.
"Good evening and welcome to our celebration of one of the greatest people I have ever been blessed to know, my friend, our friend, Dolly Parton," McEntire said.
"We could be here all night talking about the songs she's written, the award she's won, and all the things she's accomplished. But tonight is not about that...
Tonight is a celebration of Dolly's heart, her kindness, her generosity, her faith, her humor, and the way she has always seemed to understand that the greatest thing you can be in this world is exactly who God made you to be."
McEntire said that she first encountered Parton on Sept. 17, 1977, when the redhead was scheduled to make her Grand Ole Opry debut.
"I was supposed to sing two songs that night, but when I got there, they told me they needed to cut one of my songs because Dolly's bus just pulled up in the parking lot," she said.
"When she walked past me backstage, I thought, 'Oh, my gosh, she looks just like an angel.'"
In the years to come, McEntire's career exploded. Over time, the two singers became close friends. The two became an example of mutual support rather than rivalry.
"As we got to know each other, I learned the secret of why she endured, why she is timeless, and why so many people loved and will always love her. It's because what we all saw on stage was who Dolly was."
McEntire recalled when Parton appeared on her sitcom "Reba," and how the "Jolene" singer's character was "pretty ruthless."
"But what we saw the minute the director yelled cut was the real Dolly. Someone who made you feel like she was your lifelong friend, whether you knew her for 10 minutes or 10 years."
On set, McEntire said Parton even handed out Valentine candy hearts to every crew member.
"That gesture sums up why we all miss her so much."
McEntire began to get misty-eyed, talking about how her friend of nearly five decades "didn't have a fake bone in her body." The two also worked together on the music video for Reba McEntire's "Does He Love You," part of a reimagined collection of iconic songs.
"She reached the very top, but on that journey, from a one-room mountain cabin to the summit of the entertainment world, she never forgot the people still climbing," McEntire said. "And she never forgot where she came from."
During the tribute, other stars to hit the stage include 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, Reba McEntire, Ricky Skaggs, Sierra Hull, Vince Gill and Zac Brown, with Amy Grant and Kimberly Williams-Paisley joining as special guests.
To learn more, head to disneyplus.com.
Audrey Gibbs is a music and culture reporter at The Tennessean. You can reach her at agibbs@tennessean.com or on Instagram at @audreyraegibbs.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Reba McEntire's delivers emotional speech during Dolly Parton tribute
