Dolly Parton performed with one of her biggest admirers as part of her inaugural Pet Gala. The Country Music Hall of Fame member performed her classic “9 to 5” with Carly Pearce for the TV special.
The performance was a full-circle moment for Pearce, who got her start by performing at Parton’s Dollywood.
16 years ago @carlypearce was performing at @dollywood, now she’s performing “9 to 5” with @dollyparton at #DollysPetGala❣️ pic.twitter.com/klEgncyC3H
— Doggy Parton (@DoggyParton) February 22, 2024
“I’m obviously a huge Dolly fan,” Pearce told E! News ahead of her performance. “I used to work at Dollywood, and I’ve always just dreamt of a moment that I could sing with her. I was asked to be a part of it with my dogs, and I said yes. Then, what I thought was just a performance for me, ended up being a performance with Dolly, which is truly one of the greatest honors I could ever have.”
Pearce has, since the beginning of her career, tried to emulate Parton, not only in her music, but her business sense as well.
“I think she is the quadruple threat,” Pearce said. “That’s what I’ve always said. She is an amazing singer, an amazing songwriter, an amazing businesswoman, but she’s remained so humble, and has this heart that feels like your best friend.”
It was Parton who invited Pearce to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 2021, and continues to inspire Pearce today.
“Dolly Parton has always been a huge inspiration in my life ever since I was a little girl,” Pearce told Hello! magazine. “She has taught me so much over the years from her kindness and the way she treats others, to her incredible songwriting and her ability to speak from the heart in all of her songs. Her impact on myself and country music as a whole is something I’ll always cherish.”
Pearce still vividly recalls the moment, while she was still in high school, when Parton inadvertently changed everything for her.
“I was 16 years old, living in a small town in Kentucky, with big country music dreams,” Pearce told Good Morning America. “I saw an audition to sing in the country show at Dollywood, and I thought that would be so much better than sitting in math class as a sophomore.”
“Thank you Dolly for giving me at 16 a place to spread my wings as an artist, and for this to be a stepping stone. I don’t know what I would have ended up doing if it wasn’t for [Dollywood].”
Other artists appearing as part of Parton’s Pet Gala include Lainey Wilson, Chris Janson, Carly Pearce, Iaian Armitage, Billy Ray Cyrus and Firerose, Carson Kressley, Jessica Simpson and more, along with numerous dogs in fashionable clothes from Parton’s own Doggy Parton line.
Dolly Parton’s Pet Gala is now streaming on Paramount+, live and on-demand for Paramount+ for Showtime subscribers, and on-demand for Paramount+ Essential subscribers.