Introduction
Underwood, a lifelong fan of Dolly Parton, was at the Grand Ole Opry for a special tribute to women in country music. She was scheduled to perform alongside legends like Reba McEntire and Martina McBride. While backstage, a production assistant informed Underwood that Parton wanted to meet her. Recalling the moment, Underwood said her heart stopped beating. “I thought it was a joke,” she laughed. “Dolly Parton is asking for me? Are you sure?”
Parton immediately put Underwood at ease when she entered the dressing room, greeting her with a warm, “Well, hello there, Carrie. It has been my dream to finally meet you.” Underwood, who was starstruck, confessed she probably said something incomprehensible. “I was a complete and utter geek,” she said.
A Meeting of Mentors and Muses
Their 20-minute conversation became a pivotal moment for Underwood. Parton, known for her genuine personality and humor, offered invaluable advice and shared stories from her own career. “She’s precisely the person you had hoped she would be,” Underwood shared. “So funny and lovely that you forget she’s Dolly Parton.”
Parton’s words of encouragement and wisdom resonated deeply with Underwood. She told Underwood, “Never allow someone to dull your light. You radiate the way that God intended for you to radiate.” This advice, along with Parton’s candid stories about navigating a male-dominated industry, gave Underwood a new perspective on her own journey.
The conversation wasn’t all serious, though. Parton playfully teased Underwood about her sparkly outfit, saying, “Girl, you are showing me that you were giving me a run for my money with all that glitter.”
A Lasting Legacy
The bond between the two artists was solidified during their joint performance of a medley of Parton’s hits. Underwood, who led the performance of “I Will Always Love You,” admitted she was terrified. “I kept telling myself, ‘Don’t mess this up in front of your hero.'” Parton’s encouraging thumbs-up from the wings helped Underwood get through the nerve-wracking performance.
Underwood credits her encounter with Parton as a major influence on her career. She has followed Parton’s example by balancing her successful music career with other ventures, such as her fitness business and Las Vegas residency. Underwood was also inspired by Parton’s Imagination Library to create her own charity, the C.A.T.S. Foundation.
Thinking about her upcoming Las Vegas residency and new album in 2026, Underwood reflected on the lasting impact of that meeting. “That moment at the Opry gave me the confidence to keep going even when the industry feels overwhelming,” she said. Fans can anticipate a tribute to Parton in her new work, with rumors that she will perform a cover of “Jolene” during her residency.
As Underwood put it, “It’s my way of saying thank you to Dolly.”