Sept. 15 (UPI) — Reba McEntire took to the stage to honor late country music star Dolly Parton at the 2026 Primetime Emmy Awards.
McEntire, 71, performed “Appalachian Memories,” a song from Parton’s 1983 album, Burlap & Satin.
“I love you, Dolly, so much,” she said at the end.
Parton died Aug. 25 at age 80 following a brief battle with cancer. The singer herself performed “Appalachian Memories” at the 1983 Emmys ceremony, as seen in a clip leading into McEntire’s performance.
“I’m very, very proud of the fact that I had the kind of parents I did and grew up in the Smoky Mountains, the Appalachian Mountains. I’ve written a song that touches me very deep. I’m sure that in your own way, you certainly will relate to this. This song, like I say, is very important to me. And I hope you like it,” Parton said at the time.
Parton’s Steel Magnolias co-star Sally Field opened the Emmys tribute by honoring the late singer-songwriter.
“If there are truly angels on earth, then we just lost one,” Field said.
“Over the years, I never stopped loving her, though we lived very far apart. I adored her from day one, how could you not? She was genuine and humble, supportive and blisteringly funny,” she added.
Field also remembered Parton as a humanitarian “whose contributions have made a profound difference in the lives of so many in her home state of Tennessee and across our country.”
“God bless you, Dolly Parton, my friend. I’m not the only one on Earth who will love you forever and ever,” she concluded.
Field won Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for her performance as Tova Sullivan in the Netflix adaptation of Remarkably Bright Creatures at Monday’s Emmy Awards.
Other Emmy winners included Matthew Rhys, Allison Janney, Tom Pelphrey, Jean Smart, Rhea Seehorn and Noah Wyle.