Under the Tennessee sky, where the Smoky Mountains cradle memories like an old love song, Dolly Parton stood before a crowd at Dollywood on Friday, her voice carrying the weight of love and loss. It was her first public appearance since the passing of her beloved husband, Carl Dean—a man who stayed out of the spotlight but lived forever in her heart. With emotion laced in every word, she looked out at the gathered fans and spoke the kind of truth only Dolly can: “I will always love him.”
Just days after her husband Carl Dean died, Dolly Parton made a public appearance to help celebrate the 40th anniversary of her Dollywood theme park.
Carl Dean, Dolly Parton’s husband of 58 years, passed away on Monday, March 3, 2025. Dolly shared the news on social media, saying, “Carl and I spent many wonderful years together. Words can’t do justice to the love we shared for over 60 years.”
Two days later, Parton thanked fans for their love and support, and shared that she’s “okay” knowing that Carl is now “in God’s arms.”
Dolly followed the statement with news that she was releasing a new single in Carl’s honor. The song, titled “If You Hadn’t Been There,” was written to be included in the upcoming musical about Dolly’s life. It is a tribute to everyone who has been a part of her career and her success.
“I fell in love with Carl Dean when I was 18 years old. We have spent 60 precious and meaningful years together. Like all great love stories, they never end. They live on in memory and song. He will always be the star of my life story, and I dedicate this song to him,” she wrote.
On Friday, March 14, Dolly made her first public appearance since Carl’s death.
In honor of the 40th anniversary of her Dollywood theme park, Dolly made a surprise appearance in front of a crowd of season pass holders. In a press release shared ahead of the event, it was unclear if Dolly would be in attendance as she has been in years past.
When she was announced and made her way on stage, the audience was clearly surprised that she was there. When she took the stage, she briefly addressed Carl’s passing.
“I just want to take a minute to thank all of you for all of the flowers and cards and the well wishes for the loss of Carl. You know how I loved him. He would want me to be working today,” Dolly said. “I just wanted you to know, of course, that I will always love him. And I will always miss him.”
She referenced the loss of her husband later in the presentation when she and her co-host, Eugene Naughton, engaged in silly banter that him laughing. Naughton told the crowd, “She said she was in a mood today…”
Dolly replied, “I said I need to laugh. I need some fun so I’m probably gonna be stupid. I’ve been crying enough the last week or two….”
Dollywood will officially open for it’s 40th season on Saturday, March 15.
The upcoming season will feature the park’s famous festivals, such as the I Will Always Love You Music Festival, the Flower & Food Festival, the Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration, Dollywood’s Harvest Festival, and Smoky Mountain Christmas.
A new show called “Play On” will open during the official anniversary weekend in May. Other new additions include a restaurant and the conversion of the Heartsong Theater into the Imagination Playhouse.
News
A Captivating Live Performance! Matteo Bocelli Delivers a Breathtaking Rendition of ‘I’m Here’ on Fox & Friends – A Soul-Stirring Blend of Passion, Emotion, and Vocal Brilliance That Leaves Viewers in Awe! Witness the Magic as Bocelli’s Powerful Yet Heartfelt Voice Fills the Studio, Creating an Intimate and Unforgettable Musical Moment. With Every Note, He Brings Raw Emotion and Deep Meaning to His Performance, Showcasing His Incredible Talent and Unique Artistry. Relive the Unforgettable Broadcast That Had Audiences Mesmerized and Proved Once Again Why Matteo Bocelli Is a Rising Star in the Music Industry!
A Captivating Live Performance! Matteo Bocelli Delivers a Breathtaking Rendition of ‘I’m Here’ on Fox & Friends – A Soul-Stirring…
A Night of Pure Musical Enchantment! Matteo Bocelli Delivers a Soul-Stirring Performance of ‘Caruso’ at São Paulo’s Allianz Parque – A Captivating Blend of Passion, Emotion, and Vocal Brilliance That Leaves the Audience Spellbound! Experience the Magic as Bocelli’s Powerful Yet Delicate Voice Fills the Iconic Stadium, Creating an Atmosphere of Sheer Musical Bliss. With Every Note, He Breathes New Life into the Timeless Classic, Touching Hearts and Sending Waves of Emotion Through the Crowd. Relive the Unforgettable Moment That Had Thousands Holding Their Breath in Awe at This Spectacular, Once-in-a-Lifetime Concert Event!
A Night of Pure Musical Enchantment! Matteo Bocelli Delivers a Soul-Stirring Performance of ‘Caruso’ at São Paulo’s Allianz Parque –…
An Unforgettable Night of Musical Brilliance! Matteo Bocelli Joins Forces with 40 Fingers for a Spellbinding Rendition of ‘Hallelujah’ at Tauron Arena Krakow – A Breathtaking Fusion of Soulful Vocals and Masterful Guitar Harmony That Leaves the Audience in Awe! Witness the Magic as Bocelli’s Emotionally Charged Voice Blends Seamlessly with the Virtuosic Instrumental Talent of 40 Fingers, Creating a Once-in-a-Lifetime Performance That Captivates Hearts and Sends Shivers Down the Spine! Relive the Stunning Moment That Had the Entire Arena Holding Its Breath in Pure Musical Ecstasy!
An Unforgettable Night of Musical Brilliance! Matteo Bocelli Joins Forces with 40 Fingers for a Spellbinding Rendition of ‘Hallelujah’ at…
Two Music Legends Just Created A Moment For The Ages! Joan Baez And Paul Simon Delivered A Soul-Stirring Rendition Of The Boxer At Joan’s 75th Birthday Bash, And It’s Absolutely Breathtaking. Nearly Six Decades After Their Debuts, Their Voices Carry More Emotion Than Ever, Turning This Performance Into Pure Magic. The Harmonies, The Nostalgia, The Raw Power—No Wonder This Video Has Racked Up Over 10 MILLION Views!
Two Music Legends Just Created A Moment For The Ages! Joan Baez And Paul Simon Delivered A Soul-Stirring Rendition Of…
When Jelly Roll and country legends Brooks & Dunn took the stage at the 2024 CMAs, no one was prepared for the tidal wave of emotion that followed. Their soul-shaking performance left the audience visibly weeping, their harmonies cutting straight to the heart. As the final note hung in the air, the entire room stood frozen—stunned, moved, and forever changed. Within days, the performance had taken the internet by storm, racking up nearly two million views.
When Jelly Roll and country legends Brooks & Dunn took the stage at the 2024 CMAs, no one was prepared…
Lea Thompson Spills Back to the Future Drama—Why She and Michael J. Fox Didn’t Get Along at First!
Lea Thompson Spills Back to the Future Drama—Why She and Michael J. Fox Didn’t Get Along at First! Lea Thompson…
End of content
No more pages to load
