Dolly Parton handles sound glitch during tribute performance for late husband

Dolly Parton made her first public appearance since the passing of her late husband, Carl Dean, at age 82. She attended the 40th anniversary of Dollywood, where she delivered a commemorative performance and handled a sound glitch like a pro.

The singer of I Will Always Love You announced Carl's passing on March 3, 2025, and requested privacy.

"The family asks for privacy during this difficult time."

And a few days later, she followed it up with a heartfelt message.

"This is a love note to family, friends, and fans. Thank you for all the messages, cards, and flowers you've sent to pay your respects for the loss of my beloved husband Carl. I can't reach out personally to each of you but just know it has meant the world to me. He is in God's arms now and I am okay with that. I will always love you."

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More details on Dolly Parton's performance at the Dollywood amusement park's Celebrity Theater

On Friday, March 14, 2025, the 79-year-old icon made an impromptu comeback at the Dollywood amusement park's Celebrity Theater, marking the beginning of the 40th anniversary of the park's operational year.

To the delight of many fans, Dolly Parton gave a thrilling performance and expressed her unwavering love for her late reclusive husband of six decades.

"You know how I loved him, and he would want me to be working today. I expect to be working," Dolly Parton said to her fans in attendance about her decision to be there.

"I just wanted you to know that of course I will always love him, and I'll miss him, but I wanted you to know that I will always love you."

The icon efficiently handled a technical mishap during her live performance at the event, brushing it past like it never happened. She was in the middle of performing Celebrate the Dreamer In You when she experienced some sound issues.

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She asked her technical crew to "turn that monitor up" and continued singing before exclaiming mid-lyrics, "There we are!"

Before her public review eleven days after her husband's death, Dolly Parton quietly released a tribute song titled "If You Hadn't Been There" on March 7. The song serves as a love letter to the late Dean Carl, in which she expresses her thanks and appreciation for his love and support over the decades of their relationship.

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