Country Music Community Mourns the Loss of Dolly Parton

Artists, friends and colleagues remember the global music icon, legendary songwriter and beloved entertainer

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (August 25, 2026) — The country music world is mourning the loss of Dolly Parton following today’s news that the global music icon has died at age 80.

Parton’s influence extended far beyond country music. Through her songwriting, unmistakable voice, film career, philanthropy and larger-than-life personality, she became one of the most recognizable and beloved entertainers in the world.

As news of her passing spread, Parton’s friends and colleagues remembered not only her extraordinary talent, but also her generosity, faith, humor and kindness.

Musical friends and colleagues released the following statements:

“My admiration for Dolly is as high as it can go. She was a one-of-a-kind entertainer. She did it all and did it great! I thank God for Dolly Parton.”

— Randy Owen / ALABAMA

“Today the world has lost a friend, but heaven has gained a beloved daughter. Dolly was one of the most loving and caring souls I have ever met. I had known who she was for many years, but really got to know her when we did some studio work together. I got to know her love for music, her love for the poor, and her love for Jesus! Dolly was born to shine her light in the darkness, and today she woke up in that magnificent light that she was given to shine in this world. There has never been any one like her in our lifetime, but good seed brings forth good fruit. And I pray that the Lord would give us many more people like Dolly who would shine His light into the world where hurting people are. Well done good and faithful sister!”

— Ricky Skaggs

“I’m so sorry to hear of the passing of the one and only Dolly. She was one-of-a-kind and I’ve known her since she first came to town in 1965, and Fred Foster had me produce her first records. What talent!”

— Ray Stevens

“She was something else. There will never be another one like her, and we’ll all miss her. Everybody I know loved Dolly, including me. She was one of the very greatest.”

— John Anderson

“And Then There Was Dolly. That’s pretty much all that needs to be said. After all, Dolly pretty much summed up everything when she wrote ‘Coat Of Many Colors’ and ‘I Will Always Love You.’ My condolences to the world that is in mourning as of this morning. Lovingly from Brother Steve and Brother Rudy and me.”

— Larry Gatlin

“Since I was a little girl, Dolly set the bar. Always the smartest, talented, glamorous, generous, luminous person in the room. I’m sure she’d laugh that off… she never seemed to take herself or things too seriously, except when it came to her art, her charity and philanthropy, and letting people know in no uncertain terms who she gave thanks to for her gifts. God infused, God inspired, God propelled. To hear her sing live in a room without a microphone was to have the hair stand up on the back of your neck. I had the thrill of that at my home, and well, I’ll say it again: God’s E.Q. She never forgot where she came from; she just was an endless well of creativity. I sat in a parking lot a couple of years back and played my sister ‘Down from Dover,’ which she had somehow missed growing up. We sat there in the car and bawled. I just could go on and on. There’s a Dolly-shaped hole in so many hearts today, mine included. Her work here was done. She’s gone home.”

— Pam Tillis

“It’s a different world now. It seems like our foundation is crumbling and there’s nothing to replace it with. I will always love you, Dolly.”

— Mark Chesnutt

“I met Dolly at a record executive’s party once. She was very nice and sweet. Iconic is the appropriate word. I will always love you, Dolly.”

— Doug Gray / The Marshall Tucker Band

“Heartbroken, and I love her. I am absolutely going to miss her. She was always so sweet to me. God bless her. Heaven has added a great one today.”

— Sammy Kershaw

“The Daniels family is devastated to hear of the passing of a genuine American institution, Dolly Parton. Her impact on music - not just country - entertainment and pop culture in general is unparalleled. Prayers to her family, friends and her multitude of grieving fans. Rest in Peace, Dolly. You can never be replaced. I'm sure a certain fiddle player was one of many who welcomed you into the heavenly band.”

— Charlie Daniels, Jr.

“We have lost an angel. The world has been blessed to experience her talent, her joy, her kindness and goodness. Dolly was the best! What a legacy she has left!”

— Anne Murray

“It would take a lifetime to express the love and gratitude I have for Dolly Parton. She was a true friend and mentor, even making a trip from Nashville to Greentop, Missouri when I had a life threatening illness. She said, ‘I had to make sure you were okay myself.’ Her work ethic was unmatched, and although she was a world icon, she was as down to earth as your next door neighbor. I will ALWAYS love you, Dolly!!”

— Rhonda Vincent

“This is a serious end to an era of great music, fun outfits, butterflies, and great songwriting from a woman’s perspective. She was an idol to so many of us. Women of country music wanted to be Dolly and so did I. God Bless her, always. We have secrets we’ve kept for years, that only Dolly and I knew, that I wouldn’t trade for anything. Dolly, I will always love you.”

— Lorrie Morgan

“Hearing the news about Dolly made me sick at my stomach. I’ve been concerned for a while but I knew she was pretty private these days, so it does seem sudden and abrupt. She was the queen, we all know it, so what else is there to say. We lost our queen and it’s a terribly sad day for all who revered her and her talents. I had some very special moments with Dolly and she was quick-witted and brilliant with the most contagious personality on earth. She made me laugh on several occasions, and good laughs are hard to come by. It feels like a part of me has gone on ahead, but she left us with so much. I am sad, but I am also faithful in the fact that she will have an incredible final reward. It won’t be the same without Dolly, but we all know where she is, and if we follow her example we will be a part of the big reunion.”

— Darryl Worley

“If anybody was ever born to be an entertainer, it was her. And not only was she a natural on stage in front of an audience, she was a fantastic songwriter. And since songwriting has always been where my heart was, I had an intense respect for her for that. So I guess I’ll join the world today in shedding a tear. Go rest high, Dolly. I know our Lord welcomed you home this morning. WE WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU.”

— Mike McGuire / Shenandoah

“Dolly was one-of-a-kind from every direction. A treasure that will be sorely missed. She was always so gracious and kind to me every time I was around her. She was always a giver and gave her time, money, and all her resources to all walks of life. Being a part of her telethon for her hometown area in the Smoky Mountains after the fires will always be a highlight! Perfect example of how she always showed up when it mattered. Rest high, Ms. Parton.”

— Tim Rushlow / The Frontmen

“Dolly was a kind, caring, generous human being. It will be strange living in a world without her in it. I had the joy and privilege of recording with her in the 90s, and I will always treasure that experience and every moment I ever spent with her. To say a cliche like ‘her legacy will live on,’ is a massive understatement. There will never be anyone like her. May God bless her eternal soul.”

— Collin Raye

“I am tremendously saddened at hearing of the passing of Dolly Parton! She is as iconic to the world as the game of baseball! From her music, to film, and writings, she has touched every life in this world and I feel fortunate to have been alive to witness her beautiful life!
Go rest high.”

— Chris Cagle

“Lord, we thank You for letting us borrow Dolly Parton here on earth. Dolly was there with us from nearly day one and our mighty God saw fit to bring her back to us again last year. We are so grateful that Dolly wrote ‘Broken Angels’ with Jamie, recorded the song with us and even did a video. We know she didn’t feel great, but she did that for us because she loved us… and we loved her. The memories we made with Dolly are priceless and we will remember what she told us each night before the curtain opened, ‘love them with all your heart and they will love you back.’”

— The Grascals

“I’m stunned and heartbroken to hear of Dolly’s passing! I only ever met her once, but she has been a part of my life since my childhood and I can’t imagine this world without her in it. What a talent! What a lady! And what a human being! But as much as I loved her music and singing and writing, not to mention the fact that she recorded one of my songs, it was her humanity that moved me most. The world lost a great one today!”

— Jeff Bates

“Nobody sang a love song quite like she did. Like everyone else, I was in love with her too. Sleep well.”

— Billy Dean

“Dolly Parton was without question one of the most talented, charming, attractive, and musical personalities ever to come from Nashville, Tennessee and the country music community. If anyone ever stood a chance of uniting our country, she was it. A beautiful soul inside and out. She will be missed.”

— Henry Paul / BlackHawk & The Outlaws