Carly Pearce shared a full-circle moment with country music icon Dolly Parton during Dolly Parton’s Pet Gala, where the pair delivered two duets, including “9 to 5” and “Jolene.”
The GRAMMY Award winners were introduced to the stage by Parton’s co-host Jane Lynch.
“When I was 16 years old, I was working ‘9 to 5’ collecting beer cans near the railroad track. Then this next performer was 16, she was working ‘9 to 5’ for Dolly Parton as a performer in Smokey Mountain Christmas at Dollywood and now 16 years later she’s here performing ‘9 to 5’ with Dolly Parton. Get ready for some magic, folks,” Lynch said, welcoming Pearce and Parton.
Delivered A New Rendition Of “9 to 5”
Coordinating in black, white, and silver dresses, Pearce and Parton walked onto the stagehand in hand as Parton shouted, “You go, Carly! This is my Dollywood girlfriend here! She got her new version of it.”
Together, Pearce and Parton offered a slowed down rendition of the legendary track. The pair traded verses throughout the performance before combining their vocals on the chorus.
“Workin’ 9 to 5, what a way to make a livin’/ Barely gettin’ by, it’s all takin’ and no givin’/ They just use your mind, and they never give you credit/ It’s enough to drive you crazy if you let it,” the superstars sing in perfect harmony.
They later increased the tempo of the song, restoring it to its original form.
Star-Studded Performance Of “Jolene”
Later in the show, Carly Pearce and Dolly Parton returned to the stage for a star-studded performance of “Jolene” alongside Chris Janson, Tigirlily Gold, Billy Ray Cyrus, Firerose, Grace Bowers, and more. The performance served as a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the iconic tune.
Turned Heads On The Red Carpet
Ahead of the performances, Pearce walked the pink carpet with her two pups, Johnny and June, who were wearing outfits from the Doggy Parton collection.
“Dolly has been such a huge influence. She inducted me into the Grand Ole Opry and to get to be able to perform with her really feels like I’m connecting every dot,” Pearce told media while walking the pink carpet.
Full-Circle Moment For Carly Pearce: From Dollywood To Duetting with Dolly Parton
Pearce uprooted her life at home in Kentucky to relocate to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee when she landed a performance gig at Dollywood.
“I worked six shows a day, five days a week at Dollywood for two years,” Pearce recalled During a recent interview on the Sony podcast, Best Friend Energy with Clea Shearer & Joanna Teplin.
This time allowed the then-rising star to hone in on her performance skills, helping pave the way for her move to Nashville, where she later signed a record deal. She’s gone on to carve out a successful career in country music, earning multiple chart-topping hits as well as ACM Awards, CMA Awards, and a GRAMMY.
Pearce Admitted It Was “Such An Honor” To Perform With Dolly Parton
Following the show, Pearce took to social media to reflect on sharing the stage with Parton, writing, “Such an honor to get to sing with one of my absolute idols AND bring Johnny & June along! Peep the last slide to see how excited June was to be in a dress. 😂”
Dolly Parton’s Pet Gala
Dolly Parton’s Pet Gala featured performances by some of the biggest stars in music, including Lainey Wilson, Carly Pearce, Chris Janson, Joy Oladokun, Grace Bowers, KC of KC And The Sunshine Band, and more.
Iain Armitage, Drew Barrymore, Kristen Bell, Kristin Cavallari, Kristin Chenoweth, Margaret Cho, Billy Ray Cyrus and Firerose, Neil Patrick Harris, Carson Kressley, Jim Nantz, Jessica Simpson and Tigirlily Gold were also on hand to serve as presenters.
Additionally, the show presented a one-of-a-kind runway, showcasing the best in doggie fashion, as well as spotlighting some of Parton’s most iconic looks. The pups starring in the show also wore dazzling outfits from the “9 to 5” singer’s Doggy Parton pet collection.
Dolly Parton’s Pet Gala aired on Wednesday, February 21, at 9/8c on the CBS Television Network, and streamed on Paramount+ (live and on demand for Paramount+ with SHOWTIME subscribers, or on demand for Paramount+ Essential subscribers the day after the episode airs).
