Katy Perry, Kesha, Pitbull and Jon Batiste Pay Tribute to Dolly Parton on Stage, in Song: ‘She Was Kind to Everyone’

It’s a testament to the wide and deep impact that Dolly Parton had on the hearts and minds of her musical peers that just hours after news broke about the country legend’s death at 80 on Tuesday night (Aug.

25), artists ranging from Katy Perry to Pitbull , Jack White and Kesha and Jon Batiste took time out to tip their hats to the “Jolene” hitmaker from the stage and studio.

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And on top of that, the biggest thing that she did was that she was constantly kind.

She was kind to everyone.

And it’s not always easy after you’re in the spotlight for decades, and decades, and decades.

So I just wanna send a little love to Miss Dolly Parton.” Perry then went on to encourage her fans to discover, or rediscover, Parton’s impressive catalog of hits , emphasizing that she was, at heart, one of the most accomplished songwriters of all time.

“It’s where all songwriters — we learn how to write music is through a songwriter like her,” Perry said before cueing one of the first song she ever wrote herself in her 20s, the 2008 One of the Boys song “Thinking of You.” Pianist Jon Batiste posted an emotional tribute to one of Parton’s most iconic hits, “I Will Always Love You,” performing the classic ballad on piano while wearing a black cowboy hat and blue jean overalls.

Pitbull took time out from his show at Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater in Wantagh, N.Y. on Tuesday night, telling the crowd that while they were having fun he wanted to shout out someone that was, “ very special to me and showed me love and believed in me when a lot of folks didn’t and gave me an opportunity.” When he mentioned Parton, the audience went wild as Pit added, “She lived an amazing life, a hard-working woman … intelligent, sophisticated, funny, powerful, intimidating, but more than anything a good human being with a good heart.” After taking a swig from a Champagne bottle and toasting Parton, Mr.

Worldwide shimmied along with his dancers to her iconic hit “9 to 5” as the screen behind him filled with a giant image of the unlikely musical duo smiling for a picture.

Parton teamed up with Pitbull in 2024 to record new vocals and a rap verse on his song “Powerful Women,” which sampled “9 to 5.” Kesha had a personal connection to Parton through her mom, Pebe Sebert, also a songwriter.