\n<\/p>\n
Chris Stapleton<\/a> took time out of his scheduled show in New York on Wednesday (Aug. 26) to pay tribute to the late Dolly Parton<\/a> with a stunning rendition of her signature hit, “I Will Always Love You.”<\/p>\n Stapleton was performing in concert at Jones Beach in Wantagh, N.Y., as part of the ongoing 2026 iteration of his All-American Road Show<\/a> when he started into Parton’s classic from 1974.<\/p>\n In the fan-shot video below, Stapleton re-arranges the song for guitar and delivers a much grittier, but no less emotionally resonant vocal performance compared to Parton’s sweet-voiced take on the song:<\/p>\n Stapleton’s powerful performance drew raves, with several commenters calling it “incredible.”<\/p>\n “Absolutely beautiful,” another X user writes, while a fan named @BlaineKAyers suggests, “@ChrisStapleton “You\u2019re about the only who can pull this off, voice wise,” that user adds.<\/p>\n Parton wrote the song in 1973 as a farewell to her musical partner and mentor, Porter Wagoner, when she decided to leave him and pursue a solo career.<\/p>\n He would later sue her for breach of contract, but they had become friends again by the end of his life in 2007.<\/p>\n The song has been a hit multiple times.<\/p>\n First, Parton hit No. 1 with her original version of the song in 1974.<\/p>\n READ MORE:<\/em> Here’s the Real Rason Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers Never Dated<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Parton hit No. 1 again with “I Will Always Love You” in 1982, when she re-recorded it for the soundtrack to The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.<\/em><\/p>\n Parton also reached No. 15 with yet another rendition of the song when she recorded it as a duet with Vince Gill<\/a> in 1995, scoring her final Top 20 hit.<\/p>\n Of course, the most successful version of “I Will Always Love You” is Whitney Houston’s powerful rendition from The Bodyguard<\/em> soundtrack in 1992. That recording spent 14 weeks at No. 1, making it one of the most successful pop singles of all time.<\/p>\n Dolly Parton died<\/a> on Aug. 25, 2026, following a brief battle with cancer. She was 80 years old.<\/p>\n Her funeral<\/a> will be private.<\/p>\n The country queen turned 80 years old on Jan. 19, 2026. Consider this our birthday card, or a long letter that states all the ways she’s appreciated.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Gallery Credit: Billy Dukes<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n A cozy California cabin that once belonged to Dolly Parton and her late husband, Carl Dean, has sold again, less than two months after his death.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Gallery Credit: Sterling Whitaker<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nHow Did Chris Stapleton Remember Dolly Parton?<\/h3>\n
release it like Combs did with Fast Car. All the money goes to @DollyParton Imagination Library.<\/p>\nWhat Inspired Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You”?<\/h3>\n
How Many Times Was “I Will Always Love You” a Hit?<\/h3>\n
How Did Dolly Parton Die?<\/h3>\n
Dolly Parton: 80 Years and 80 Unforgettable Moments<\/h2>\n
PICTURES: See Inside Dolly Parton’s Cozy California Cabin<\/h2>\n