Additional Coverage:
- Reba McEntire Remembers Meeting Dolly Parton at Her Grand Ole Opry Debut 49 Years Ago: ‘Looked Just Like an Angel’ (parade.com)
Just one day after paying tribute to Dolly Parton at the 2026 Emmys, Reba McEntire reflected on the memorable first encounter she had with the country music legend.
McEntire, a three-time Grammy winner, took the stage to honor her longtime friend following Parton’s passing in August. The emotional tribute included McEntire wearing some of Parton’s personal jewelry, symbolizing the deep bond they shared. Their friendship began decades ago at the Grand Ole Opry, a moment McEntire vividly recalled in a recent Vogue interview.
Reba shared that their first meeting took place in September 1977, nearly 49 years ago, during her Grand Ole Opry debut. “I was supposed to sing two songs that night, but I was told one had to be cut because Dolly Parton had just arrived,” McEntire explained.
“I said, ‘You can have both songs if I get to meet Dolly!’ I will never forget her walking in wearing a beautiful black chiffon outfit adorned with rhinestone butterflies-she looked like an angel.”
At just 22 years old, McEntire was a young newcomer, while Parton was 31. The evening almost didn’t go as planned, as a security guard initially denied McEntire entry due to her name not being on the list.
She had to confirm her attendance through her booking agent before being allowed in. Ultimately, McEntire sang Roger Miller’s “Invitation to the Blues” that night.
Their friendship blossomed over the years, enduring until Parton’s recent passing. At the Emmys, McEntire performed “Appalachian Memories,” one of her favorite songs by Parton, as a heartfelt tribute. Her white gown that evening was a deliberate homage to Parton’s 1983 TV special “Live in London,” where Parton first performed the song while wearing a white fringed gown.
In a touching moment, McEntire’s manager, Justin McIntosh, reached out to Parton’s niece and secured permission to borrow some of Parton’s jewelry for the tribute. “It was an honor to have a little piece of her on stage with me,” McEntire said, reflecting on the meaningful gesture.
Reba McEntire’s tribute highlighted not only the legacy of Dolly Parton but also the enduring friendship and respect between two country music icons.