Artist - Reba McEntire on CMA TV Special for Dolly Parton

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Reba McEntire Performs Stunning Rendition of ‘He’s Alive’ for Her Good Friend Dolly Parton

October 22, 2026 3:30 pm GMT

Reba McEntire was about to make her Grand Ole Opry debut in September 1977, when she was told she'd have to give up one of her two songs. The reason? Dolly Parton had arrived unexpectedly. But rather than being disappointed, McEntire was delighted. In fact, she'd have happily given up both songs if it meant getting to meet her idol.

McEntire didn't get to meet Dolly that night, but it was an encounter she'd never forget. The two would eventually become close friends, with Parton supporting McEntire through some of the most difficult moments of her life.

Nearly 50 years later, McEntire was back on a Nashville stage, this time performing one of Parton's own songs in tribute to the woman who would become one of her dearest friends. McEntire was among the country music stars honouring Parton at CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton on Wednesday night, delivering a moving rendition of ‘He’s Alive’, a song that meant a great deal to Dolly.

And while the evening was a celebration of Parton’s extraordinary career, for McEntire, it was also an opportunity to remember the woman she’d known and loved for nearly five decades.

Speaking to the audience, McEntire reflected on Parton’s extraordinary journey, from growing up in a one-room cabin in the Smoky Mountains to becoming one of the most recognisable entertainers in the world.

“Tonight is a celebration of Dolly’s heart, her kindness, her generosity, her faith, her humor,” she told the audience, adding that despite everything Parton had achieved, “She never forgot the people still climbing.” McEntire then performed ‘He’s Alive’, a particularly fitting choice given the faith the two women shared. Originally written by Don Francisco, Parton recorded the gospel song for her 1989 album White Limozeen, famously performing it at that year’s CMA Awards with a choir.

Speaking to Vogue in September, McEntire recalled that Opry moment when she had been preparing to sing two songs when she was told she’d have to give one of them up, because Parton had unexpectedly arrived. McEntire wasn’t particularly bothered about losing her spot, she was far more excited about the possibility of seeing Dolly.

“I said, ‘Heck, you can have both of them if I can just meet Dolly!’”

Recalling Parton walking past her in a black chiffon outfit covered in rhinestone butterflies, McEntire added: “She looked just like an angel!” It was the beginning of a friendship that would last almost half a century, seeing the pair work together on television, share some of country music’s biggest stages and eventually record their first official duet in 2021.

That collaboration, a new version of McEntire’s 1993 hit ‘Does He Love You’, was something she’d been hoping would happen for years. McEntire even admitted that hearing Parton recording duets with other artists had made her a little jealous, wondering when she’d get her turn. But their friendship was to span far beyond music.

Following a devastating plane crash in 1991 that killed members of McEntire’s band and tour manager, Parton was among the first people to reach out, offering her own musicians to help her friend get back on her feet. It’s the sort of kindness McEntire has continued to speak about in the years since.

During an appearance on The Jennifer Hudson Show earlier on Wednesday, McEntire reflected on what she had learnt from Parton, praising not just her confidence and humour, but the way she treated everyone around her.

“She could cut a joke in a heartbeat,” McEntire recalled, remembering the week Parton spent filming an episode of her sitcom Reba in 2005, when she made a point of treating everyone on set equally.

But perhaps one of the most heartbreaking details of their friendship came in September, when McEntire revealed that Parton had tried to call her in late July, just weeks before her passing on August 25. McEntire had been in a meeting and missed the call. Despite trying to get back in touch, the two never managed to reconnect.

“I’ll never know why she called me,” McEntire admitted during an interview with Entertainment Tonight, before adding: “I’ll find out one day.”

Wednesday’s performance was McEntire’s second major televised tribute to her friend in just over a month, having previously performed ‘Appalachian Memories’ at the Emmy Awards in September, wearing jewellery borrowed from Parton’s family. And when speaking about that performance on The Jennifer Hudson Show, McEntire explained how she had felt her friend’s presence on the day she passed. “I felt her with me the whole day,” she shared.

For two women whose friendship was built on so much more than country music, ‘He’s Alive’ felt like a particularly meaningful choice. A song about faith, hope and the belief that death isn’t the end.

Written by Laura Halse