Dolly Parton is dealing with a major loss in her personal life, mourning the death of her husband of 59 years, Carl Dean.
But ever the professional, Parton still gave it her all for her adoring fans at a performance commemorating the 40th anniversary of Dollywood, her theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
🎬 SIGN UP for Parade’s Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬
On Friday, March 14, at Parton’s first public appearance since her husband’s death, she took to the stage at an event for passholders and press, using the opportunity to thank them “for all the flowers and cards and well-wishes.”
She mentioned how her husband “would want me to be working today. I expect to be working, so anyway, I just wanted you to know that of course, I will always love him and I will miss him,” before launching into a performance.
However, during one of her songs, “Celebrate the Dreamer In You,” the musician had some apparent sound issues, asking her crew to “turn that monitor up” and continuing to sing before exclaiming mid-lyric, “There we are!”
Parton finished the song successfully, prompting enthusiastic applause from the audience.
In addition to attending the celebration at Dollywood as her husband would have wanted, Parton also issued a lovely tribute to Dean on March 7, quietly releasing a song dedicated to him.
The song, titled “If You Hadn’t Been There,” is a love letter to Dean in which she thanks him for his support over the course of their relationship, with lyrics that read in part “I wouldn’t be here If you hadn’t been there / Holding my hand / Showing you care / You made me dream / More than I dared / And I wouldn’t be here / If you hadn’t been there.”
Next: Dolly Parton Issues Statement Following Tragic Death of Her Husband
