Kelly Clarkson Honors Dolly Parton With Emotional ‘I Will Always Love You’ Performance
Kelly Clarkson paid tribute to Dolly Parton with a moving performance of “I Will Always Love You” during a private event for The Coca-Cola Company in Atlanta, Georgia, on September 11.
The performance came just weeks after Parton died on August 25 at age 80, and Clarkson’s choice of song carried added meaning as she honored one of country music’s most enduring figures. Parton’s family confirmed her death in Nashville, Tennessee, on August 25, 2026.
Clarkson Takes on Dolly Parton Classic
With only gentle instrumentation behind her, Clarkson eased into the beloved ballad, allowing the emotion of the song to build naturally.
She appeared completely absorbed in the moment, closing her eyes as she delivered the lyrics. The song’s demanding vocal range was well suited to Clarkson’s powerful voice, and she gradually increased the intensity before reaching the final lines with a full-throated belt.
The audience responded with loud cheers as she finished the performance.
“And I will always love you/ I will always love you/ I will always love you/ I will always love you/ I will always love you/ I will always love you,” Clarkson sang.
A setlist from the September 11 Atlanta performance also lists “I Will Always Love You” among Clarkson’s songs, alongside several of her best-known hits.
A Set Filled With Clarkson Favorites
Videos shared by an employee who attended the private concert indicate that Clarkson performed a collection of songs from throughout her early catalog.
The set included “Miss Independent,” “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You),” “Since U Been Gone,” “Because Of You” and “Breakaway,” giving attendees a chance to hear several of the songs that helped establish Clarkson as a major pop vocalist.
The Atlanta performance also came at a significant moment in Clarkson’s career. She recently closed one chapter of her television career with the conclusion of The Kelly Clarkson Show.
Clarkson’s Tribute to Dolly Parton
Clarkson had already publicly shared her grief following Parton’s death.
After the news broke on August 25, the Texas native took to social media to remember the country icon and reflect on the warmth she brought to those around her.
“Dolly Parton had a way of making everyone feel special, and seen, and welcomed, and as if you were old friends. I will miss her heart and her voice as I am sure millions will. What an incredible gift and talent she was and still is with an amazing catalogue of art she has left behind for all of us.”
Clarkson’s tribute focused on more than Parton’s extraordinary music. She remembered the personal connection Parton seemed to create with people, describing a legacy built around her heart, voice and body of work. Other artists and entertainers have also paid tribute to Parton since her death, reflecting the broad impact of her career.
Parton’s “I Will Always Love You” has become one of the most recognizable songs in her catalog. Her death at age 80 brought renewed attention to the enormous body of work she left behind after a career spanning decades.
Clarkson Previously Performed the Song on Her Talk Show
The Atlanta performance was not Clarkson’s first time taking on “I Will Always Love You.”
She has previously performed the song on The Kelly Clarkson Show, the daytime program she officially brought to an end on Monday, August 31.
After seven years and more than 1,200 episodes, Clarkson said goodbye to the show as she shifted her focus toward spending more time at home with her children. The finale centered heavily on music, with Clarkson performing songs from her catalog and sharing an emotional farewell with viewers.
“It is a bittersweet day for all of us,” Clarkson said at the beginning of the final episode.
Later, she explained why her family played such an important role in the decision to leave the show.
“My kiddos have always come first, they’re a big reason I did this show… they’re also a big reason it’s time to say goodbye…I’m such a proud mama. They’re the greatest kiddos in the world.”
The finale marked the end of a seven-year run that began in 2019. Clarkson’s children, River and Remington, were also part of the emotional farewell.
Kelly Clarkson Will Return to Stagecoach in 2027
Although Clarkson does not currently have an official tour on the books, she is set to return to Stagecoach in 2027.
The singer is scheduled to perform on the Mane Stage at the country music festival, which will take place April 23-25 in Indio, California. Clarkson is part of a lineup that also includes headliners Garth Brooks, Riley Green and Zach Top, along with artists including Willie Nelson & Family, HARDY, Brothers Osborne, Shaboozey, Dasha, Journey, Pitbull, Carín León and Matchbox Twenty.
For now, Clarkson’s Atlanta performance offers another reminder of the singer’s ability to move between her own catalog and songs that have shaped generations of music. Her rendition of Parton’s “I Will Always Love You” carries particular resonance following the country legend’s death, making the September 11 performance a fitting musical tribute to an artist Clarkson clearly admired.