Brad Paisley honours Dolly Parton with emotional performance two days after her death

Brad Paisley honoured Dolly Parton by performing their 2005 duet 'When I Get Where I’m Going' at Connecticut concert

Brad Paisley paid tribute to Dolly Parton during a concert in Connecticut on August 27, performing their 2005 duet “When I Get Where I’m Going” two days after the country music star's death.

Paisley, 53, performed the song at the Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater before speaking to the audience about his collaboration with Parton. He recalled how he initially sent the song to her after losing people in his own life.

“When I recorded that song and sent it to Dolly, I said, ‘A couple of people in my life I’ve lost, and I didn’t know if this would relate to you.’ ”

“And she immediately said, ‘Yes, let me sing on that,’ and did,” Paisley recalled.

The singer became visibly emotional while discussing Parton, prompting cheers from the crowd. He then addressed how the song, which focuses on death and heaven, had taken on a different meaning following her passing.

“I never thought it would be about her, but it is,” he said. “It’s everything she believed, and we will always love you, Dolly.”

Parton died on August 25 at the age of 80 following a brief battle with cancer, according to her representative. The type of cancer was not disclosed.

During Paisley's performance, a photograph of Parton appeared on a screen with the words “We Love You Dolly”. Additional photographs of the pair were shown as he performed the duet.

Paisley is among several performers who have honoured Parton onstage since her death. On August 28, Kacey Musgraves performed Parton's “Here You Come Again” during her concert at Boston's TD Garden, dedicating the performance to the late singer-songwriter.

Paisley's wife, actress Kimberly Williams-Paisley, also shared a tribute following Parton's death. She recalled meeting Parton when the singer recorded “When I Get Where I’m Going” with Paisley, describing her as “approachable, funny, kind, and generous”.