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Country icon Reba McEntire has been reflecting on her decades-long friendship with Dolly Parton, recalling sweet behind-the-scenes stories, TV set tributes, and her emotional honor at the Emmys following Parton's passing.
Following the loss of Dolly Parton at age 80 in Nashville, Tennessee, on August 25, 2026, after a brief battle with cancer, tributes continue to highlight her legendary giving spirit. Among those honoring her memory is longtime friend Reba McEntire, whose friendship with Parton stretches back to their first meeting at the Grand Ole Opry in 1977.
A Generous History and Set Memories
Their bond deepened over decades of mutual support. Following a tragic 1991 plane crash that claimed the lives of seven of McEntire's band members and her tour manager, Parton offered her entire band to assist, ultimately sending band leader Gary Smith to help McEntire assemble a new group.
Recently, while working on the set of her NBC comedy show Happy's Place, McEntire discovered a new example of Parton's generosity. A camera operator recalled that when Parton guest-starred on McEntire's self-titled sitcom in 2005 around Valentine's Day, Parton personally handed out a candy heart to every member of the crew.
"I didn’t even know that story. But that’s the type of person she was," McEntire stated in an interview with USA TODAY. "I never have met a person that says, 'I don’t like Dolly Parton.' Everybody loves her worldwide and was touched by her passing."
On-Screen Tributes and Emmy Honor
- Happy's Place Tribute: The third season of Happy's Place began last week. The October 30 episode, titled "Skeletons in the Closet," will close with a photo of the two friends from their 2021 remake of "Does He Love You" accompanied by the message: "We will always love you."
- Emmy Performance: In September, McEntire performed Parton's 1983 song "Appalachian Memories" (from her 25th solo studio album Burlap & Satin) at the Emmys. McEntire shared that she felt Parton's presence on stage and avoided looking at the crowd to keep her composure, ultimately breaking down in tears just four feet from her dressing room after leaving the stage.
McEntire noted that Parton's legacy spans across genres—from rock and roll to bluegrass—and reaches far beyond music through her unmatched giving spirit.
