Watch as Dolly Parton absolutely works her Country Music Hall of Fame crowd before bringing them to tears alongside Vince Gill.
The true legends of country music are what they are because of who they are. And no individual encapsulates this more perfectly than Dolly Parton.
Typically, the main event of a throwback concert clip like this is the performance of the featured song. But not with Dolly. While watching three icons like Parton, Vince Gill, and Keith Urban swoon the stage together is phenomenal, to skip right ahead to it means missing Dolly Parton being Dolly Parton.
Dolly Parton: The World’s Finest Storyteller
Indeed, no one connects with a crowd, or entertains them, like the icon. As she speaks to thousands for the Country Music Hall of Fame’s enormous, sold-out event, you’d think she was speaking to just one person. This is Dolly’s core strength: her ability to connect with others. She is, after all, a storyteller at heart. Or to her, more aptly, a songteller.
As such, Parton begins with a story, as she always does. Her kind heart leads her to open with her admiration for her fellow performer that night, one Vince Gill. To this end, she recounts that years back, “I wrote him a note one time, and I said, ‘Well, call on me if you need me. I can be your other mother, your other lover, or the sister you never wanted.’ Of course, I never hear back from him on it.”
The crowd, of course, goes wild over the thought of Dolly Parton writing such a letter to Vince Gill. One spectator can’t contain themselves, and blurts out “I LOVE YOU DOLLY!” – screaming what we’re all thinking.
Quick-witted national treasure Dolly Parton, who was in the middle of another story, responds with “well I love you, too, but I told you to wait in the truck!” without missing a beat.
Dolly & Vince Gill Own “He Stopped Loving Her Today”
As only she can, Dolly then lulls the enormous, passionate crowd into a silence by but asking them to “hush up now”. From here, she’s able to effortlessly transition into a gorgeous rendition of George Jones’ “He Stopped Loving Her Today”. And only Dolly Parton could relegate Vince Gill and Keith Urban to backup singers – and not have a single soul question it.
The two fellow icons perform the song’s guitar parts, then join Dolly on vocals through the timeless chorus:
You know she came to see him one last time/ Oh and we all wondered if she would/ And it kept running through my mind/ This time he’s over her for good.
If you’re not sold on watching this performance yet, we’re not sure you ever will be. Time for less words and more music:
Dolly Parton joins Keith Urban & Vince Gill for a benefit for The Country Music Museum and Hall of Fame on October 5, 2010 in Nashville Tn. The artists were asked to do a song from one of their “hero’s” catalog. Dolly chose a George Jones Classic.
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For all the latest on Dolly Parton – and plenty more throwbacks to her incredible life – keep your dial tuned to Outsider.com.
