Dolly Parton‘s tribute to late country music star Naomi Judd at the 2023 Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards was a tearjerker! The country singer dedicated her performance at that event to two of country music’s greats, Naomi and Loretta Lynn, both of whom she shared friendships with during their time on earth. Both country legends passed away in 2022, barely 5 months apart.
Dolly Parton Dedicated Her Stage Performance to Naomi Judd and Loretta Lynn
During her performance at the 58th ACM Awards, Dolly rendered an emotional cappella number as a tribute to Naomi and Loretta. After performing the hymn, Precious Memories, in honor of her late friends, she then spoke fondly of Naomi, whom she had a special connection with. She quipped:
“Naomi and I, well, we’re the same age, both real G.O.A.Ts, Capricorns, and we loved big hair,” she said. “I still do. And we loved that makeup. But above all else, we loved each other.”
She also sang odes to Loretta, describing her as a hero and one of the most important country music singers the world ever knew. Following her heartfelt tribute to Naomi Judd and Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton’s cohost at the 2023 ACM Awards, Garth Brooks commended her beautifully-said remembrance, adding:
“Tonight we lovingly remember all those we’ve lost in our country music family,” he said. “And we promise to do our best to keep the circle forever unbroken in their memory.”
Dolly Parton did one more number during the show, performing her new single, World on Fire, for the first time live on stage. The track is part of her upcoming rock album titled Rockstar, which drops on November 17, 2023.
Naomi, who passed away in April 2022, had a special connection to Dolly. Following her demise, the “Coat of Many Colors” crooner expressed how shocked she was by the news of her friend’s death by suicide in her tribute. She also admitted they shared a close-knit relationship and had many similarities, including their age, zodiac signs, big hair, makeup, and music. Thankfully, Naomi’s left behind two amazing daughters, Ashley and Wynonna Judd, each making their way in the industry as an actress and a country singer, respectively. Her legacy continues to live on in her two daughters, her music, and the memories she created with loved ones.