Moving to Nashville in pursuit of a dream, Dolly Parton likely never imagined she\u2019d also find love on the first day. At the laundromat, she crossed paths with \u201ca good-lookin\u2019 guy\u201d in a Chevrolet and the rest is history. Dolly and her husband, Carl Dean, shared nearly six decades together. As she wove her story into the fabric of country music, he was by her side until his death on March 3. And while the loss is no doubt still fresh, Dolly recently opened up on what\u2019s helping ease her pain.<\/p>\n
Earlier this week, the Grand Ole Opry celebrated 100 years of country music\u2014and you try doing that without Dolly Parton. While the \u201cQueen of Country\u201d did not attend the March 19 ceremony, her presence loomed large over the event. First, Carly Pearce delivered a sultry rendition of the\u00a09 to 5<\/em>\u00a0star\u2019s hit \u201cJolene.\u201d<\/p>\n Later, Reba McEntire addressed her longtime friend from the stage. \u201cIt\u2019s been a great night of celebration, but of course, it\u2019s just not the same without you,\u201d said the \u201cI Can\u2019t\u201d singer, 69. \u201cDolly, everybody here at the Opry and around the world wants to send you our thoughts and prayers. And you got to know, we will always love you.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/ins><\/ins><\/div>\n With that, Reba joined Lady A and Carrie Underwood in leading an all-star choir as they sang another timeless Dolly classic, \u201cI Will Always Love You.\u201d<\/p>\n