Brad Paisley Performs Emotional “When I Get Where I’m Going” At First Show After Dolly’s Passing

Brad Paisley had been on a brief break from his BRAD PAISLEY LIVE tour when news broke that Dolly Parton had passed away on August 25 following a reported battle with cancer.

Like millions of fans around the world, Paisley was devastated. But his connection to Dolly made the loss especially personal. The two recorded the deeply emotional “When I Get Where I’m Going” together in 2005, a song about reaching a place beyond pain and sorrow.

The collaboration became a major success, earning Vocal Event of the Year at both the CMA and ACM Awards, while the music video also won ACM Video of the Year.

After Dolly’s passing, Paisley shared a clip from their music video along with a heartfelt message:

“I never imagined this day would come. Getting to know Dolly was life changing, but not just for me. For everyone. She seemed immortal.”

He went on to reflect on Dolly’s incredible legacy, adding that although the world would never be the same without her, she had left behind a lifetime of goodness and art.

 

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“Goodbye hero. We will always love you.”

Paisley’s wife, Kimberly Williams-Paisley, also remembered Dolly warmly. She spoke about first meeting her when Dolly recorded the song with Brad and later working with her on a Netflix project connected to “Jolene.”

She praised Dolly not only for her extraordinary talent, but also for the kindness, generosity and compassion she showed throughout her life.

Brad Paisley Honors Dolly From the Stage

Paisley’s tour resumed on August 27, just two days after Dolly’s passing, at the Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater in Bridgeport, Connecticut.

He performed a set filled with his biggest hits—but he also made room for a song he doesn’t normally include in his show.

About 12 songs into the concert, Paisley’s band stepped offstage for a break. Brad remained with his acoustic guitar, quietly playing as the audience continued talking.

Then the familiar opening notes began.

“When I Get Where I’m Going.”

The crowd immediately recognized it.

An audible reaction swept through the audience as fans realized what he was about to sing. As Paisley performed, photographs of Dolly throughout her life appeared on the screens behind him.

Fans joined in, singing along as the emotional performance unfolded.

 

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By the final chorus, photos of Brad and Dolly together appeared on the screens, followed by a simple message:

“WE LOVE YOU, DOLLY.” 💔

It was clearly an emotional moment for Paisley as well.

Afterward, he explained why the song had become so difficult—and so meaningful—to sing.

When he originally sent the song to Dolly, he told her it was inspired by people he had lost and wasn’t sure whether she would connect with it.

Dolly immediately said yes.

She joined him on the recording, adding her unmistakable voice to a song that would eventually become an important part of both their legacies.

Years later, Paisley found himself standing onstage singing those same words after losing Dolly herself.

He admitted he never imagined the song would one day be about her.

“I never thought it would be about her, but it is,” he said. “It’s everything she believed. We will always love you, Dolly.”

And sometimes, the most powerful goodbye isn’t a speech.

It’s a song you shared with someone you loved.