Brad Paisley and Sierra Hull delivered an emotional tribute to late country music legend Dolly Parton with a heartfelt performance of “When I Get Where I’m Going” during CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton on Wednesday night (Oct. 21).
The country superstar and bluegrass hitmaker joined forces to honor Parton’s extraordinary life and legacy with a moving rendition of the song Paisley originally recorded with Parton in 2005. Performing live at Belmont University’s Fisher Center for the Performing Arts, Paisley strummed an acoustic guitar while Hull played the mandolin, backed by a full band. The pair traded verses before seamlessly blending their vocals on the track’s chorus.
“Yeah, when I get where I’m going/ There’ll be only happy tears/ I will shed the sins and struggles I have carried all these years/ And I’ll leave my heart wide open/ I will love and have no fear/ Yeah when I get where I’m going/ Don’t cry for me down here,” the pair sang in perfect harmony.
Originally recorded by Paisley and Parton for his 2005 album Time Well Wasted, “When I Get Where I’m Going” became a No. 1 hit on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. The track earned multiple accolades, including the Country Music Association’s Vocal Event of the Year award in 2006. It was also nominated for Single of the Year at the CMA Awards that year.
Ahead of their performance, Brad Paisley and Sierra Hull reflected on their connection to Dolly Parton and her lasting impact on the music and entertainment industries. Both artists expressed their admiration for Parton, highlighting her influence far beyond country music and the generosity and spirit that have made her an icon to generations of fans.
“Dolly is a singular force in our town and in our format of music and in any format. I mean, we don’t get to claim her entirely anymore. She’s in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame,” Paisley shared with the show’s producers. “She is in the acting pantheon of icons as well. But she’s from Tennessee and she is a country singer at the core and that all would be enough to do a special like this and to honor her.”
Hull added, “Dolly truly has been one of my biggest heroes and influences of all time, not just as a musician, but as who she is, what she gave all of us as a humanitarian and just such a light to this world. I’m just so thrilled to be here to celebrate her tonight and alongside this insane cast of musicians, I feel so blessed to be here.”
CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton also featured heartfelt tribute performances from Ashley McBryde, Béla Fleck, Brad Paisley, Carly Pearce, Carrie Underwood, Darius Rucker, Ella Langley, Kelsea Ballerini, 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 special appearances by Amy Grant, Kimberly Williams-Paisley, Bono of U2, Carol Burnett, Goldie Hawn, Julia Roberts, Oprah Winfrey and more.
The two-hour television special aired live on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, from 9 to 11 p.m. ET (8 to 10 p.m. CT) on ABC and Disney+, bringing together a star-studded lineup in front of a live audience at Belmont University’s Fisher Center for the Performing Arts in Nashville, Tennessee. The event will also be made available to stream on Hulu on Thursday, October 22.
The celebration comes nearly two months after the passing of Dolly Parton, who died on August 25 at the age of 80 after a brief battle with cancer. Born on January 19, 1946, in Locust Ridge, Tennessee, Parton rose from humble beginnings to become one of country music’s most celebrated singer-songwriters, known for timeless hits such as “9 to 5,” “Jolene,” “Coat of Many Colors” and “I Will Always Love You,” as well as her distinctive voice, ability to unite people through music and generous spirit.
CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton also highlighted Parton’s extraordinary career, enduring influence on country music and remarkable philanthropic legacy, including her work with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. A portion of the event’s proceeds benefited the organization, which provides free books to children from birth to age 5.
