Reba McEntire Sings ‘Appalachian Memories’ After Sally Field’s Emotional Dolly Parton Tribute at 2026 Emmy Awards

Reba McEntire and Sally Field came together to remember their late friend Dolly Parton during an emotional tribute at the 2026 Emmy Awards.

The special segment aired during the ceremony on Monday night (September 14), less than a month after Dolly passed away at the age of 80.

Sally, who starred alongside Dolly in the beloved 1989 movie Steel Magnolias, opened the tribute by reflecting on the country icon’s humor, humility and enormous impact on others. She also celebrated Dolly as both an extraordinary entertainer and a humanitarian whose generosity changed countless lives.

“If there are truly angels on Earth, we just lost one,” Sally said. “She was genuine and humble, supportive and blisteringly funny with a bawdy sense of humor that would send any rude guy looking for a place to hide.”

She continued, “God bless you, Dolly Parton, my friend. I am not the only person on Earth that will love you forever and ever.”

Earlier in the evening, Sally won Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for her performance in Netflix’s Remarkably Bright Creatures.

Reba then took the stage in a sparkling white gown to perform “Appalachian Memories,” a song Dolly originally released in 1983. Accompanied by piano and strings, she sang while photographs and footage from Dolly’s life and decades-spanning career appeared behind her.

Reba appeared visibly emotional during the performance and ended the touching moment by telling her longtime friend, “I love you, Dolly, very much.”

The two country legends shared a friendship stretching back nearly 50 years. Reba has recalled first meeting Dolly at the Grand Ole Opry in 1977, when Dolly made an unexpected appearance that resulted in one of Reba’s scheduled songs being cut, according to Country Living. Reba reportedly considered meeting her idol far more important than getting to perform the additional song.

They continued supporting each other throughout their careers and collaborated on a new rendition of Reba’s hit “Does He Love You” in 2021.

While Dolly was best known for her music, she also maintained a lengthy connection to television. She received five Emmy nominations and won Outstanding Television Movie in 2021 as an executive producer of Dolly Parton’s Christmas on the Square. Her production company, Sandollar Productions, was also involved with shows including Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel.

The post Reba McEntire Sings ‘Appalachian Memories’ After Sally Field’s Emotional Dolly Parton Tribute at 2026 Emmy Awards appeared first on Just Jared - Celebrity News, Entertainment News & Photos.

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