Reba McEntire disclosed that Dolly Parton attempted to contact her in late July, but McEntire missed the call whilst in a meeting and was unable to reconnect before Parton's death on 25 August following a brief illness from cancer. McEntire expressed regret that she will never know why Parton had called, stating she hopes to learn the reason one day.

McEntire and Parton had a long collaborative history, having recorded a cover of "Does He Love You" together in 2021 and co-hosted the CMA Awards in 2019. Following Parton's passing, McEntire paid tribute at the Emmy Awards with an emotional performance of "Appalachian Memories" and shared a heartfelt message on social media, reflecting on their friendship and expressing gratitude for Parton's contributions to music and her generosity of spirit.