Grammys 2019: Dolly Parton and Miley Cyrus sing 'Jolene' duet

Country icon was honoured at the Grammy awards with a special all-female performance

Roisin O'Connor
Music Correspondent
Monday 11 February 2019 07:24 GMT
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Grammys 2019: Dolly Parton and Miley Cyrus sing 'Jolene' duet

Dolly Parton and her god daughter Miley Cyrus performed a stunning rendition of Parton's hit "Jolene" in a special performance honouring the country star's career.

K Pop sensations BTS were seen enjoying the show, which they are attending as the first ever Korean act to present an award at the Grammys.

This was far from the first time Parton and Cyrus had performed the song together. In 2016, a rendition of the song with Pentonix went viral after it was performed on The Voice, while Parton also invited Cyrus on stage for the song for the 25th anniversary celebrations of Dollywood.

Parton was celebrated for her musical achievements and philanthropic work as MusiCares Person of the Year on Friday night. She is the first country artist to be saluted in the tribute's 29-year history.

Garth Brooks, Brandi Carlile, Miley Cyrus, Shawn Mendes, Kacey Musgraves, Willie Nelson, Katy Perry, Pink, Chris Stapleton and Don Henley were among those honouring the 73-year-old singer-songwriter, two days before the Grammy Awards.

“All of my life I have been known for two things. Well, not them,” the well-endowed Parton joked in a bawdy acceptance speech. “I've also been known as a singer and songwriter too. Although I'm not complaining. Ol' Pancho and Lefty's been pretty good to me. Everybody always expects me to do a boob joke and I like to do that right up front."

This year's Grammys ceremony has made a strong start when it comes to celebrating the achievements of women and artists of colour, following a backlash in 2018 when artists such as Jay Z went home empty-handed despite eight nominations, and just one woman was seen accepting an award on stage during the live TV broadcast.

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