Brad Paisley Shares A Heartwarming Story About Dolly Parton And Carl Dean’s Private Love Story
Brad Paisley has shared a touching memory of Dolly Parton and her husband, Carl Dean, offering a glimpse into the quiet, devoted relationship the couple kept largely away from the public eye.
While recording their duet “When I Get Where I’m Going,” Paisley witnessed a small but memorable moment that perfectly captured Carl’s approach to life alongside one of country music’s biggest stars. He preferred to stay out of the spotlight, but he was always there for Dolly, happy to support her in his own way.
The story resurfaced during Paisley’s appearance on the Rolling Stone Nashville Now podcast, where he reflected on his friendship with Dolly and the experience of working with her on one of their most memorable songs.
A Quiet Gesture That Said Everything About Their Marriage
Carl Dean was famously private throughout his marriage to Dolly Parton. Unlike his world-famous wife, he rarely appeared in public and generally avoided the attention that came with her extraordinary career.
Paisley recalled how Carl drove Dolly to the location where they filmed the music video for “When I Get Where I’m Going.” After spending time inside the house talking with Dolly, Paisley watched her head back outside to leave.
That was when he noticed Carl waving from the car. He had stayed outside rather than coming in, perfectly content to let Dolly enjoy her time with her collaborator.
As Paisley remembered:
“Carl Dean, her husband, was just so happy to be in the shadows. She was in here a while. We walked around and talked in the house and had a great day. And she went out to get in the car, and I see him waving. He didn’t even come in! He was just so happy to drive her around. And she got in the car, and she drove away.”
It was a simple moment, but one that offered a glimpse into their relationship. Carl did not need to share Dolly’s public life or stand beside her in front of the cameras. He was happy to be the person waiting to take her home.
Their marriage remained remarkably private, and stories like this have helped paint a picture of a couple who found a way to make their differences work.
How Dolly Parton Became Brad Paisley’s Duet Partner
Paisley also spoke about how Dolly came to sing on “When I Get Where I’m Going,” a song that would become a significant milestone for both artists.
Written by George Teren and Rivers Rutherford, the track was released in October 2005 as the second single from Paisley’s album Time Well Wasted. It was his 14th career single and went on to become a major success on country radio.
The collaboration also marked a particularly important achievement for Dolly. The song became her 25th and final Billboard No. 1 hit, as well as her first chart-topper since “Rockin’ Years” in 1991. For Paisley, it was his fifth No. 1.
The song received considerable industry recognition. It was nominated for a Dove Award for Country Recorded Song of the Year and earned two ACM Awards, including Video of the Year and Vocal Event of the Year. It was also nominated for ACM Song of the Year.
At the CMA Awards, the track won Vocal Event of the Year and received nominations for Single of the Year and Video of the Year.
Beyond country music, the song achieved modest crossover success, reaching No. 39 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
For Paisley, however, the collaboration began with a straightforward request to an artist he believed could bring something special to the recording.
He explained that he wanted the song to have an almost heavenly quality and knew Dolly would be the right person to help achieve it.
“Dolly would do anything she believed in. When I cut ‘When I Get Where I’m Going,’ I said, ‘I’m cutting this, but I need something that takes it into the angelic realm,’ and so I sent it to Dolly and said, ‘Would you sing this with me?’ She wrote back, ‘Absolutely.’”
Her response was characteristically direct, and the resulting duet became one of the most memorable recordings in both artists’ careers.
Dolly Parton Once Explained Why Her Opposites-Attract Marriage Worked
Although Carl preferred a quiet life away from the entertainment industry, Dolly occasionally spoke about their relationship in interviews.
In an appearance on the cover of People magazine last year, Dolly described her husband as an independent man who enjoyed spending time alone. She explained that his preference for privacy was one of the reasons their marriage worked so well.
“My husband was very independent, and he liked being alone. He didn’t really care about being with anybody but me. He had a few friends, but he loved being on the farm and doing his thing. He was kind of a loner, which worked out best for us.”
Dolly also reflected on their contrasting personalities in another interview with People, describing how their differences kept their relationship interesting.
“They say that opposites attract and it’s true. We’re completely opposite, but that’s what makes it fun. I never know what he’s gonna say or do. He’s always surprising me.”
Their relationship began in Nashville in 1964, the same day Dolly moved to the city to pursue her music career. According to the familiar story, they met outside the Wishy Washy laundromat.
After dating for two years, the couple decided to marry. Dolly’s new record label reportedly discouraged the idea, believing marriage might affect her public image. Dolly went ahead anyway.
She and Carl travelled to Ringgold, Georgia, where they married at a local courthouse, with Dolly’s mother, Avie Lee, serving as a witness.
The decision reflected the independence that would become a defining feature of their relationship. Throughout their marriage, Dolly continued to build an extraordinary career while Carl maintained a life largely removed from the public eye.
Remembering Dolly Parton And The Legacy She Leaves Behind
Dolly’s death has brought renewed attention to the stories that reveal who she was beyond her fame and success.
According to the original report, Dolly died in Nashville on August 25, 2026, at the age of 80, following a brief battle with cancer. Her representatives confirmed the cause, although the specific type of cancer was not disclosed. She had reportedly been dealing with undisclosed health issues over the preceding year and had previously spoken about problems with severe kidney stones.
Carl Dean had died on March 3, 2025, around 17 months before Dolly.
Following Dolly’s passing, Paisley shared an emotional tribute to the singer, reflecting on the profound effect she had on those who knew her.
“I never imagined this day would come. Getting to know Dolly was life changing, but not just for me. For everyone. She seemed immortal. And in the spirit of what we sang together on this song, I believe she is.
“It won’t be the same down here without you Dolly. But what a legacy of goodness and art you leave for all of us. Goodbye hero. We will always love you.”
The tribute echoed the sentiment behind their duet, a song about looking beyond the present and finding hope in what lies ahead.
For the CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton, which aired earlier this week, Paisley performed “When I Get Where I’m Going” alongside Sierra Hull.
The performance offered another opportunity to remember Dolly through a song that had already become closely associated with her legacy.
And for listeners who now return to the original recording, the lyrics may carry a deeper meaning. Knowing the story of Carl waiting patiently in the car, content simply to drive his wife home, adds another layer to a song that has always carried a message of hope and the promise of reunion.
Their love story was rarely played out in public, but sometimes the smallest details tell the most meaningful stories.
Carl did not need the spotlight. He was happy to be there for Dolly, and Brad Paisley’s memory captures that devotion in a way few grand declarations ever could.
The full podcast is available below.