Reba McEntire Honors Dolly Parton With Emotional ‘Appalachian Memories’ Performance at the 2026 Emmys
Reba McEntire brought the 2026 Emmy Awards to a deeply personal moment on Monday night, Sept. 14, when she took the stage to honor her late friend Dolly Parton with a performance of Parton’s 1983 song “Appalachian Memories.”
Just weeks after Parton died on Aug. 25 at age 80 following a brief battle with cancer, McEntire performed the song during the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Peacock Theatre at LA Live in Los Angeles. As the tribute came to an end, McEntire delivered a simple message directly to her longtime friend: “I love you, Dolly. So much.”
The performance followed an emotional introduction from Sally Field, Parton’s co-star in the 1989 film Steel Magnolias. Field reflected on the bond they developed while making the movie and the affection she continued to feel for Parton over the years.
“If there are truly angels on earth, then we just lost one, Dolly Parton,” Field said.
Field recalled that working with Parton had been a privilege and said she never stopped loving her, despite the two women living far apart.
“She was genuine and humble, supportive, and blisteringly funny,” Field said, also remembering Parton’s bawdy sense of humor. She added that she had not initially understood just how significant Parton was, “not just as an artist, but as a human.”
Field also highlighted Parton’s humanitarian work and the difference she made in Tennessee and across the United States.
“God bless you, Dolly Parton, my friend,” she said. “I am not the only one on earth that will love you forever and ever.”
Dolly Parton’s Long Emmy History
Parton’s connection to the Emmys stretched back nearly five decades. Her first nomination came in 1978, when she was recognized for Outstanding Continuing or Single Performance by a Supporting Actress in Variety or Music for her appearance on Cher… Special.
She continued to build a television legacy of her own. Her 2016 TV movie Dolly Parton’s Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love, for which she served as executive producer, received an Outstanding Television Movie nomination in 2017. She was nominated again in the same category in 2020 for executive producing Dolly Parton’s Heartstrings: These Old Bones.
Parton finally won her first Emmy in 2021. She was an executive producer on Dolly Parton’s Christmas on the Square, which won Outstanding Television Movie. The project also earned a second Emmy for Outstanding Choreography for Scripted Programming.
Her final Emmy nomination came in 2023, when Dolly Parton’s Mountain Magic Christmas was nominated for Outstanding Television Movie. In total, the Television Academy lists five nominations for Parton and one Emmy win.
Her influence on television, however, went far beyond awards.
In 1985, Parton and her longtime manager Sandy Gallin launched Sandollar Productions. Through the company, Parton was involved behind the scenes with successful television projects including Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel.
Parton also had her own variety series. Dolly first aired in first-run syndication from 1976 to 1977 before she returned to television with another series on ABC from 1987 to 1988.
She remained a familiar presence on television throughout her career, appearing as a guest on programs including The Simpsons, Designing Women, Grace and Frankie, Reba and Hannah Montana.
Her connection with McEntire was especially meaningful. The two country stars remained friends for decades and eventually recorded together in 2021, when Parton joined McEntire for a new version of “Does He Love You.”
Dolly Parton’s Final Months and the Family’s Tribute
Parton died on Aug. 25 at the age of 80 after a “brief battle with cancer,” a diagnosis she had chosen to keep private.
Her sister Stella Parton later explained that Dolly did not want her illness to become a source of worry for her fans or for members of the family. Some relatives knew about her condition, Stella said, while others did not.
According to Stella, Dolly’s decision came from a desire to protect the people around her. She said her sister “did not want people sad” and would have been happy to see how much love fans showed following her death.
Stella also said that, ultimately, Dolly would have wanted her family and those closest to her to know that the love she gave through her life and work had been felt and returned.
That sense of affection was visible at the Emmys, where Parton’s career was remembered through both words and music.
Field’s tribute focused on the woman she knew while working on Steel Magnolias, while McEntire’s performance connected Parton’s television legacy with her Appalachian roots and music.
For McEntire, the moment carried the weight of a friendship that had lasted for decades. The two had collaborated musically, appeared together on television and remained close away from the spotlight. McEntire had previously spoken about her admiration for Parton and her desire to learn from strong women like her.
The 78th Emmy Awards, hosted by Mariska Hargitay, aired live on Sept. 14 from 8 to 11 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock. Among the ceremony’s tributes, the remembrance of Parton stood apart as a celebration of a performer whose career had crossed music, film and television for generations.
For a woman who had spent decades entertaining television audiences, it was fitting that Parton’s legacy returned to the Emmy stage through two friends who knew her personally. Field offered the remembrance; McEntire supplied the song. Together, they gave the country legend a farewell filled with affection, gratitude and music.
