Under the golden glow of the Grand Ole Opry stage, Carly Pearce poured her heart into a song that meant the world to her—and to the legend watching from the audience. Singing her “favorite Dolly song” for her hero, Dolly Parton, she also paid tribute to Carl Dean, the man who inspired Dolly to write the song in a single night. On the historic Opry 100 stage, it was more than a performance—it was a moment woven with love, legacy, and pure country soul.

Carly Pearce is honoring a legend. During Opry 100: A Live Celebration, Pearce took the stage to perform a tribute to Dolly Parton.

“Dolly Parton is my hero and it means os much to me that she invited me to join the Opry,” Pearce said, before offering her sympathies to Parton, whose husband, Carl Dean, recently died.

“Dolly, I just want you to know that my heart goes out to you and your family,” she said.

Next, Pearce jumped into her performance of her “favorite Dolly song,” the 1973 hit “Jolene.” Parton was not on hand to watch it all go down, but she will likely be moved when she watches Pearce’s emotional rendition of her song.

For Pearce, honoring Parton at the Opry was a full-circle moment, as the “9 to 5” singer was the one who invited her to join the famed institution years ago.

“That was probably the most surprised I’ve ever been in my life,” Pearce told Us Weekly. “… I heard her say the word ‘Opry’ several times in 30 seconds. I can only equate it to how a girl feels when she thinks she’s getting engaged of just like, ‘Can you just say it? Is this what’s happening?’ I had this moment of just, ‘Oh, my goodness.’ And when she said it, I just fell to the floor, literally.”

What to Know About Opry 100: A Live Celebration

The star-studded Opry 100 special is marking the Nashville institution’s 100th birthday. Country’s biggest stars, including host Blake Shelton, will be on hand to celebrate 100 years of the show that made genre famous.

“Becoming a member of the Opry is a highlight of my life and career, and 15 years later I still get that same feeling of reverence and excitement every time I walk out on that stage,” Shelton said in a press release. “The Grand Ole Opry has been connecting the country music family for 100 years, and I’m so proud to be part of this historic celebration.”

In addition to Pearce’s Parton tribute, Patsy Cline and Loretta Lynn are set to be honored by Reba McEntire. Garth Brooks and Tricia Yearwood will recreate a George & Tammy song, while Lainey Wilson and Marty Stuart will team up for a Hank Williams classic.

Other performers include Carrie Underwood, Jelly Roll, Randy Travis, Ashley McBryde, The War & Treaty, Alan Jackson, and Post Malone.

In addition to performances, Opry 100 will reflect on legendary Opry moments and highlight exclusive digital content that honors the artists, fans, and songs that define country music.