BRAD PAISLEY & SIERRA HULL DELIVER A HEARTBREAKING “WHEN I GET WHERE I’M GOING” DUET IN HONOR OF DOLLY PARTON

Some songs become more than hits. They become part of our lives, carrying memories, hope, and emotions that never seem to fade. And when Brad Paisley joined Sierra Hull to perform “When I Get Where I’m Going” in honor of Dolly Parton, the result was a tender reminder of just how powerful music can be.

The moving duet was part of CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton, filmed at Belmont University’s Fisher Center for the Performing Arts in Nashville. For Brad, the song carried a deeply personal meaning: he originally recorded it with Dolly herself.

A SONG BRAD PAISLEY AND DOLLY PARTON SHARED

Released in 2005, “When I Get Where I’m Going” became one of the most memorable recordings of Brad Paisley’s career. Featuring Dolly Parton, the song reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and touched listeners with its message of faith, hope, and the promise of a better place beyond this life.

The song’s gentle melody and heartfelt lyrics have made it especially meaningful to people remembering loved ones. That history made it a fitting choice for a tribute celebrating Dolly’s extraordinary musical legacy.

This time, Brad returned to the song with Sierra Hull, the acclaimed bluegrass musician known for her remarkable mandolin playing and expressive voice.

 SIERRA HULL BRINGS A BEAUTIFUL NEW DIMENSION

Sierra had a special role to fill, stepping into the musical space once occupied by Dolly’s unmistakable voice. Rather than trying to imitate the country legend, she brought her own warmth and sensitivity to the performance.

Her gentle harmonies blended with Brad’s familiar vocals, allowing the song’s message to shine through. The arrangement honored the spirit of the original recording while giving the audience a new interpretation to remember.

It was a performance built on restraint rather than spectacle. Every note served the song, and that simplicity made the tribute all the more moving.

 BRAD WANTED TO DO THEIR SONG JUSTICE

Ahead of the special, Brad spoke about the significance of Dolly’s influence on music and culture. He described her as a singular force whose impact reaches far beyond country music.

For Brad, performing a song he had recorded with Dolly was a deeply personal way to honor their musical connection. His hope was to do the song justice—and bringing Sierra into the performance allowed the beloved recording to be celebrated in a new way.

The result was a reminder that some musical partnerships leave a lasting mark long after the original recording is made.

 A SONG THAT WILL CONTINUE TO MEAN SO MUCH

Dolly Parton’s legacy is woven into generations of country music, from her songwriting and unmistakable voice to the artists she inspired along the way.

“When I Get Where I’m Going” holds a special place in that legacy because its message speaks to something universal: hope, reunion, and the enduring power of love.

Brad Paisley and Sierra Hull’s tender performance gave fans another reason to return to a song that has meant so much to so many people.

Some songs never lose their meaning. And when a song is connected to someone as unforgettable as Dolly Parton, every new performance becomes another way to keep that legacy alive.

WATCH BRAD PAISLEY AND SIERRA HULL’S MOVING PERFORMANCE IN THE VIDEO BELOW.