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Country singer Megan Moroney brought the U.S. portion of her Cloud 9 Tour to a close on Thursday, August 27, with a heartfelt tribute to the recently departed Dolly Parton that left fans deeply moved.
Moroney’s rendition of Parton’s classic “I Will Always Love You”-a song famously covered by Whitney Houston in the early ’90s-was widely praised as one of the most beautiful performances of the iconic ballad. Audience members shared glowing reactions online, describing her voice as “angelic” and calling the tribute “absolutely insane.” Many admitted the emotional delivery even brought them to tears.
Originally, Moroney was not scheduled for a show this week. Her Denver concert was a makeup date for a July performance canceled due to illness. She more than made up for lost time by adding nine new songs to her setlist, including the poignant tribute to Parton, who passed away on August 25 after a brief battle with cancer.
With just a keyboard accompaniment, Moroney’s soulful vocals filled the Ball Arena, engaging the crowd of 18,000 fans who sang along in remembrance of the country music legend. Parton’s influence was felt across the touring country music scene, with artists such as Ella Langley, Chris Stapleton, and Brad Paisley also honoring her legacy through their own performances.
Looking ahead, Moroney will take her Cloud 9 Tour overseas, with upcoming shows in cities including Oslo, Stockholm, Paris, and London. The tour is set to conclude in Belfast on October 1.