Country singer Gabby Barrett paid tribute to Dolly Parton with a cover of "Jolene" during CBS's first-ever America's Tailgate special, alongside a performance of her own song "In On It." Barrett, who placed third on American Idol in 2018, told American Songwriter that she had performed "Jolene" for years before moving to Nashville, having long been inspired by Parton, but only discovered after the country legend's recent death from cancer that she had been singing certain lyrics incorrectly, having learned from a slightly inaccurate lyric sheet found online.

For the televised performance, Barrett was joined on mandolin by Sugarland's Kristian Bush, whom she first met during her time on American Idol, describing it as a "full circle moment." Barrett also reflected on Parton's wider influence, recalling watching her interviews and performances from a young age, and described a past one-on-one conversation in which Parton offered her encouragement and support early in her career.