Dolly Parton Dies at 80; Lee Greenwood: “We Will Always Love You”

Country music singer Lee Greenwood said Wednesday that Dolly Parton was a commanding performer, gifted songwriter, and devoted patriot, one day after the country music legend died at 80.

Parton died peacefully Tuesday in Nashville, Tennessee, according to a statement on her official website. Her representatives said she died after a brief battle with cancer.

Her husband of nearly 59 years, Carl Dean, died in March 2025.

Greenwood, who knew Parton for about 40 years, told “Bianca Across the Nation” that she immediately captivated people with her personality and talent.

“Dolly was magnificent. When she walked into a room, she got everybody’s attention immediately,” Greenwood said.

“I mean, beautiful. I recognize more our association musically because I respected so much how well she sang.”

Greenwood said Parton’s musical ability was evident from childhood.

“You know, music was with her from the very beginning. The fourth child of 12, born in a holler in East Tennessee,” he said.

“In order to get out of that place, she had to really exercise her talent at a very young age. And she learned guitar, and she learned how to play with a band, and then her songwriting started, and it was just amazing to watch her career.”

Greenwood said Parton remained a constant presence throughout his own life in music.

“For six decades, every decade and phase of my career, I remember a song of hers, or more than one, on the radio,” he said. “It was always Dolly, always Dolly.”

He also recalled meeting Parton at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville and discussing the hazards of making eye contact with audience members during performances.

“She was very engaging, and she said, ‘That’s very dangerous because when I do that, I have a tendency to forget lyrics,'” Greenwood said. “And I can relate to that, you know?”

Parton became one of the most successful songwriters and performers in American music, recording enduring hits including “Jolene,” “9 to 5,” and “I Will Always Love You.”

She won 10 Grammy Awards and received 55 nominations, according to the Recording Academy.

“She was a powerhouse for music, she was a powerhouse for women, and she was a powerhouse for children and their reading,” Greenwood said.

Parton founded the Imagination Library in 1995 to provide free books to young children. The literacy program has distributed more than 300 million books worldwide.

Greenwood also praised Parton’s support for the military. Parton recorded his anthem “God Bless the U.S.A.” for her 2003 patriotic album, “For God and Country.”

“She’s a patriot as well. She did USO tours. She went with our military abroad,” he said.

“And whenever she sees a soldier, she says, ‘Thank you.’ I mean, she’s a serious American citizen,” Greenwood continued.

“She represents all of us. She represents women, but she remembers all Americans.”

Parton was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2022 and released the rock album “Rockstar” the following year.

“She’s just an amazing, amazing talent, and we’re going to miss her so much,” Greenwood said. “It’s hard to believe she’s gone.”

He concluded his tribute by invoking Parton’s signature song: “We will always love you, Dolly.”