Kacey Musgraves Honors Dolly Parton with Soulful Boston Performance

Kacey Musgraves paid an emotional tribute to country icon Dolly Parton during her concert in Boston on Friday, August 28, following Parton's recent passing on August 25 after a brief battle with cancer. On the TD Garden stage, Musgraves dedicated her poignant Golden Hour ballad “Rainbow” and performed a cover of “Here You Come Again” in honor of the legendary artist.

Musgraves emphasized that beyond Parton's numerous Grammys and career accolades, it was her profound humanitarian spirit that truly resonated. “It’s what a humanitarian [she was],” Musgraves stated, praising Parton for always looking out for others and the underdog, even when it was challenging or didn't directly benefit her own career. Musgraves highlighted this quality as a significant lesson for everyone, noting Parton's deep integration into the fabric of their shared history.

Leading the arena crowd in a sing-along of “Rainbow,” the closing track from Musgraves’ Grammy-winning 2018 album Golden Hour, photos of Dolly Parton were displayed on the big screen, as the audience collectively sang the touching lyric, “There’s always been a rainbow hangin’ over your head.”

Following “Rainbow,” Musgraves performed “Here You Come Again,” a track from Parton’s 1977 studio album of the same name. This song marked Parton’s earliest significant pop crossover hit, reaching No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1978. Only two other Dolly Parton recordings surpassed this success on the all-genre chart: “9 to 5” and her duet with Kenny Rogers, “Islands in the Stream,” both of which hit No. 1 in the early 1980s. Notably, “Here You Come Again” was penned by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, rather than Parton herself, despite her prolific songwriting career.

Musgraves' choice of “Here You Come Again” for the tribute held special significance, recalling her past performances of the song. She had previously performed it alongside Dolly Parton during a medley of Parton's hits at the 2019 Grammys. In the same year, Musgraves also sang the tune in Parton's honor, as a duet with Katy Perry, at the MusiCares Person of the Year gala, a reprise of their earlier CMT Crossroads performance. Musgraves has also included a solo cover of the song in her concert rotations since 2014.

Reflecting on Parton at the 2019 Grammys red carpet, Musgraves described her as “an earth angel.” She praised Parton’s coolness, presence, and keen attention to detail, attributing these qualities to her long and successful career. Musgraves admired how Parton unapologetically put her stamp on things and acknowledged her monumental role in paving the way for many artists, particularly in country music. She credited Parton with being the first to embody a complete package: “The sex appeal, the brains, the humor, the songwriting, the outfits, the hair.” Musgraves' heartfelt dedication underscores the immense impact Dolly Parton had on both the music industry and her peers.