Zac Brown brought fans to tears with a heartfelt tribute to Dolly Parton during the CMA’s special celebration of the country legend. But one special detail made his performance of Butterfly even more emotional: Parton’s original voice filled the stage alongside him, allowing the two artists to sing together one more time.
During CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton on Wednesday, October 21, Brown performed the moving ballad against a beautiful backdrop of flowers and butterflies. As he sang, Parton’s recorded vocals blended with his own, creating a powerful moment that reminded viewers why her voice and music remain so beloved.
The performance took on a deeper meaning following Parton’s passing on August 25. What began as an inspirational song about hope and strength became a touching tribute to a friend whose influence reached far beyond music.
Zac Brown shares touching memories of Dolly Parton
Brown and Zac Brown Band released Butterfly in September 2025 as part of their album Love & Fear. Brown originally wrote the song for his children, hoping to give them words of encouragement and remind them to face life with hope and strength.
However, the song became even more personal after Parton joined him on the recording. During a recent appearance on The Bobby Bones Show, Brown recalled how excited she was when she first heard the song.
According to Brown, Parton immediately left him a voicemail that he has kept ever since.
“We got ourselves a number one song here. You know, don’t give that song to anybody else,” Parton told him in the message.
Brown also spoke warmly about the woman behind the legendary voice, describing his late friend as “a real life angel.” He remembered her faith, kindness and generosity, as well as her ability to encourage people to love and accept others for who they are.
This was not the first time Brown had performed Butterfly in Parton’s memory. Just days after her passing, he paid tribute to the country icon during a Zac Brown Band concert at Forest Hills Stadium in New York on August 25, declaring, “There will never be another Dolly Parton.”
The CMA special brought together numerous country music stars to celebrate Parton’s life and legacy, including Carrie Underwood, Lainey Wilson, Ella Langley and Vince Gill. Proceeds from the evening will support Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, continuing her mission to help children discover the joy of reading.
Fans call Zac Brown’s performance one of the night’s best
Following the emotional performance, viewers flooded social media with praise for Brown, with many saying the duet was among the most beautiful moments of the entire tribute.
Several fans were especially moved by the sound of Parton’s voice returning to the stage. One viewer wrote, “It’s beautiful hearing her voice blend with his. So moving.”
Another admitted, “I don’t know how he didn’t cry because I’m bawling.”
Others praised Brown for honoring Parton in a way that felt personal and sincere. “He made her proud!!! Amazing performance and I know he felt every bit of it too,” one fan commented.
The emotional response continued as viewers shared how deeply the performance affected them.
“WOW!! What an amazing performance!! Best performance of the night!! As soon as he started singing, the tears started rolling,” another viewer wrote.
One fan who does not usually listen to Brown also acknowledged the impact of the tribute, commenting, “I’m not a Zac Brown fan, but he did an amazing job with his performance.”
Other viewers described Butterfly as their favorite song of the evening, while some said hearing Parton’s voice unexpectedly brought them to tears. One fan even wrote that it felt as though Dolly was right there beside Brown, singing along with him.
The praise was not limited to the vocal performance. Fans also appreciated the beautiful stage setting, with its flowers and butterflies, which added to the emotional atmosphere.
For many viewers, the moment was a reminder of just how much Parton meant to country music and the people who grew up listening to her.
