Dolly Parton's late husband Carl Dean and other beloved country music icons were honored by Reba McEntire, host of the 2025 ACM Awards.
The 2025 ACM Awards May 8 ceremony paid a heartfelt tribute to Carl Dean, Dolly Parton's late husband, along with other country music legends who passed away recently.
During the ceremony, Reba McEntire took the stage at the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas, and performed an acapella rendition of "Me and Bobby McGee" by Kris Kristofferson, who also passed away in September 2024 at age 88. She encouraged the audience to sing along, honoring Kristofferson’s legacy as a songwriter and poet.
"Freedom's just another word for nothin' left to lose / Nothin' ain't worth nothin' but it's free," Reba sang. "Feelin' good was easy, Lord, when Bobby sang the blues / And buddy, that was good enough for me / Good enough for me and my Bobby McGee."
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After getting the audience to sing along to the chorus, the 70-year-old told fans, "Those are the words of the great Kris Kristofferson. The Academy of Country Music honored him with the Poet's Award. What a poet he was."
McEntire then acknowledged the country music stars lost in the past year, including Joe Bonsall of The Oak Ridge Boys, singer-songwriter Melba Montgomery, music publisher Ben Vaughn, and Carl Dean. She expressed that their contributions to music will live on forever in the hearts of fans and artists alike.
Dolly Parton, who was married to Carl Dean for 60 years, shared an emotional statement following his passing on May 3, 2025, at age 82. She reflected on their love and admitted that adjusting to life without him has been difficult, but she remains deeply involved in her work to cope with the loss.
It was a touching moment that showcased how deeply country music honors its legends. She added, "They all brought music to our lives and live on forever in our hearts."
Dolly Parton has been open about the emotional journey following the passing of her husband, Carl Dean, whom she was married to for 60 years. In a heartfelt statement shared on X (formerly Twitter), she expressed that "words can't do justice to the love we shared."
Since his passing on May 3, 2025, Dolly has admitted that life has been a "big adjustment". She first met Carl when she was just 18 years old, and their love story remained strong throughout the decades. In a recent interview, she shared that she gets "very emotional" when people bring up his passing but finds comfort in staying busy with her work.
Despite the grief, Dolly continues to honor Carl’s memory while remaining deeply involved in her music and projects. It’s truly inspiring to see how she channels her emotions into her passion.
