Zac Brown Delivers Emotional Performance Of “Butterfly” In Heartfelt Tribute To Dolly Parton

Zac Brown paid a moving tribute to Dolly Parton on Wednesday, October 21, with a performance of “Butterfly,” their 2025 duet that took on a new significance during the country music community’s celebration of the late music icon.

The Zac Brown Band frontman took the stage at CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton, a special television event honoring Parton’s extraordinary career and lasting influence following her passing on August 25, 2026.

The two-hour celebration brought together some of country music’s biggest names, including Vince Gill, Lukas Nelson, Lainey Wilson, Ashley McBryde, Carrie Underwood, Carly Pearce, Darius Rucker, Ella Langley, Little Big Town and Lady A, among others.

Brown’s performance was among the evening’s highlights, bringing renewed attention to a song he and Parton had released together just over a year earlier.

Zac Brown Performs “Butterfly” Alongside Dolly Parton’s Original Vocals

When Brown was first announced as part of the tribute lineup, fans began speculating that he would perform “Butterfly,” the duet he recorded with Parton. The Country Music Association added to that anticipation by leaving a butterfly emoji beneath his Instagram announcement.

The CMA had also revealed that Brown would appear alongside special guests Amy Grant and Kimberly Williams-Paisley as part of its promotional campaign for VIP experiences at the event.

When the performance finally arrived, Brown took the stage against a backdrop decorated with flowers and butterflies. Parton’s original vocal recording played alongside him, allowing the two artists’ voices to come together once more.

The result was a poignant tribute that revisited their musical collaboration while giving the audience another opportunity to hear Parton’s unmistakable voice.

The performance formed part of the larger celebration, which brought together artists from different generations and musical backgrounds to recognize Parton’s contributions as a singer, songwriter, entertainer and philanthropist.

The special was filmed before a live audience at Belmont University’s Fisher Center for the Performing Arts in Nashville. It aired on ABC and Disney+ on October 21, with streaming availability on Hulu beginning the following day.

Zac Brown Band And Dolly Parton Released “Butterfly” In September 2025

“Butterfly” first brought Brown and Parton together musically in September 2025, when Zac Brown Band released the duet with the country music legend.

At the time, the band expressed its excitement about the collaboration, writing that they were “Honored to bring this story to life with the one and only Dolly Parton.”

The release was accompanied by a music video that brought the song to life visually, giving fans another way to experience the collaboration between the two artists.

Since its release, the song has continued to feature in performances connected to Parton and her music.

During the live finale of Season 28 of The Voice, Noah Cyrus took Parton’s place for a performance of “Butterfly” alongside Brown, offering a different interpretation of the duet.

Brown also performed the song using Parton’s recorded vocals at the CMA Foundation’s Music Teachers of Excellence 10 Year Anniversary Celebration. During that event, he introduced a special message Parton had recorded for the occasion shortly before her passing.

The message was intended for the music educators being honored, adding another personal connection between Parton and the celebration of her musical legacy.

A Celebration Of Dolly Parton’s Lasting Legacy

The CMA tribute brought together a wide-ranging lineup of performers to honor Parton’s life, music and influence. Alongside the performances, the program featured archival footage and personal stories reflecting the many ways she had shaped country music and inspired audiences around the world.

The event also carried forward Parton’s charitable work. The Country Music Association and Belmont University planned to donate a portion of the special’s proceeds to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, the literacy initiative that provides free books to children.

For Brown, performing “Butterfly” offered a particularly personal way to honor an artist with whom he had shared a musical collaboration.

With Parton’s original vocals accompanying him onstage, the performance brought their duet back into the spotlight and served as a heartfelt reminder of the music they created together.

Watch Zac Brown perform “Butterfly” in honor of Dolly Parton below.