Alone, Gill tried to get through\u00a0“I Will Always Love You”\u00a0in K.C. The 69-year-old is known to struggle to make it through tribute performances. During a memorial for George Jones<\/a>\u00a0in 2013, he lost it trying to sing “Go Rest High On That Mountain” with Patty Loveless.<\/p>\n Since then, simply telling parts of his own story will bring him to tears, so you can imagine what fans thought as he began to honor Parton at the Midland Theatre.<\/p>\n The tears came quickly, interrupting his music. The fans encouraged and helped him out in spots by singing along.<\/p>\n “I Will Always Love You” is the most-chosen song to honor Parton. Morgan\u00a0Myles<\/a> gave a stirring performance of the hit at the Grand Ole Opry on Tuesday night.<\/p>\n Chris Stapleton<\/a> also paid tribute to Dolly<\/a> with his own cover of her most famous ballad.<\/p>\n More tributes are still come as the Opry plans a proper celebration on Aug. 29 in Nashville. There is no public memorial for Parton, who died after a short battle with cancer.<\/p>\n Gallery Credit: Billy Dukes<\/p>\n<\/div>\n So far in 2026, country fans have mourned the deaths of country legends and other large-looming figures of pop culture. Keep reading to remember the singers, musicians, actors and other notable figures we’ve lost this year.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Gallery Credit: Carena Liptak<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nSee Pictures of Dolly Parton, Through the Years<\/h2>\n
Remembering the Country Stars Who Died in 2026<\/h2>\n