Patty Loveless Gets Choked Up Discussing Dolly Parton While Onstage at the Grand Ole Opry
Patty Loveless became emotional while recalling Dolly Parton’s kindness during a performance at the Grand Ole Opry on 17 October. Her story highlighted the lasting influence of Parton and Porter Wagoner on her career, as well as the personal meaning of the Opry stage.
Loveless said she first visited the Opry backstage at the Ryman at 14 as a guest of Wagoner and Parton, whom she remembered performing their 1971 song “The Pain of Loving You”. Years later, she recorded the song herself; Wagoner had died, but Parton heard it and approved, which Loveless said meant a lot. The concert also marked Vince Gill’s 35th anniversary as an Opry member: he and Loveless performed “My Kind of Woman – My Kind of Man”, and the evening closed with Gill singing “Go Rest High on That Mountain”.
- Loveless grew emotional recalling Parton’s support.
- Parton approved Loveless’s recording of a song she co-wrote with Wagoner.
- The Opry concert celebrated Vince Gill’s 35 years as a member.
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The Grand Ole Opry is a long-running country music stage and radio show in Nashville. Its stage is closely tied to country music history, and performing there can carry personal meaning for artists.
Patty Loveless is a country singer whose career began when she was young. Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner, a singer and television host who often performed with Parton, welcomed her backstage at the Opry when she was 14; their song “The Pain of Loving You” later became part of Loveless’s own recording career.
Vince Gill is also a country singer and an Opry member. The evening brought together artists with long connections to the Opry and to one another, reflecting how songs and personal relationships can link generations of country performers.