A slew of country music stars have been including songs by Dolly Parton in their concerts to mark her death last week. Many of them have become visibly emotional on stage. The latest is Carrie Underwood. The beloved performer and American Idol judge gave a concert on Saturday, August 29, in Lenox, Massachusetts, at the Tanglewood Music Center.
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Per Fox News Digital, the "Before He Cheats" singer became obviously moved as she honored the late icon during the show. A video on Instagram captured the sweet moment. Clearly, Dolly Parton, 80, meant a lot to Underwood, 43, just as she did to millions of loyal fans around the globe. It's not a stretch to say that Parton's untimely passing has affected countless people in myriad ways. Few public figures have touched people the way she did. Ironically, Dolly Parton's impact is greater than ever now that she is sadly gone.
Parton Was a "Huge Influence"
The 2005 Idol winner said the "Jolene" singer "was a 'huge influence to so many of us, but just one of the nicest people I think I've ever met.'" Underwood, like so many, was thunderstruck by the news of Parton's sudden death. She added, "It was such a shock, I feel like just the whole world, like could feel the ripples, like time just stood still, and it was just like... what? She's just the one that transcends all space and all time."
Carrie Underwood also lauded Parton's buoyant nature. She admiringly said, "I feel like she was just out there with the brightest smile on her face up until the very last day... and that's something that I feel like we can all learn from. She is gone, but she's not forgotten."
Then she did something truly touching. Underwood gestured heavenward and shared this gentle thought. "I know where [Dolly] is, and I know how much she loved Jesus."
Underwood Performed "See You Again"
She requested that the crowd use their cell phones to "light this place up" for Dolly Parton prior to her rendition of "See You Again." The deeply spiritual song is about someone who is certain that they will encounter a deceased loved one once more in the hereafter. It was a comforting, poignant choice for the occasion.
