FRISCO, TEXAS: The 2023 Academy of Country Music Awards did not feature the customary In Memoriam part, which would have sent viewers to a page on the ACM website. However, co-host Dolly Parton did set aside some time to pay tribute to two beloved friends, Loretta Lynn and Naomi Judd.
The 77-year-old Parton, who earlier joked about a threesome with co-host Garth Brooks and his wife Trisha Yearwood, paid tribute to two of her close friends who died in 2022. Judd died in April 2022 at the age of 76, while Lynn died back in October 2022 at the age of 90. Parton said the award reminded her of both Lynn and Judd, who she said were "like sisters" to her, before presenting Female Artist of the Year. The country singer made some heartfelt remarks before beginning a seemingly impromptu performance of the hymn 'Precious Memories'.
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'We give thanks for their precious memories'
Parton said, "Of course you know, Loretta was a coal miner's daughter, a hero, and one of the most important but still down-to-earth singer-songwriters in history. Naomi and I, well we're the same age, both real G.O.A.T.'s, Capricorns and we loved big hair. I still do," according to DailyMail.
"And we loved that makeup. But above all else, we loved each other," Parton continued, as her co-host Garth Brooks stated, "We lovingly remember all we lost in our country music family, and we promise to do our best to keep the circle unbroken in their memory."
"We give thanks for their precious memories," Parton remarked in agreement, adding that it reminded her of a song. "To all the ones that we've loved, those invisible angels," she said, before beginning 'Precious Memories'. Based on Brooks' reaction, the performance didn't appear to be planned.
'Class women of country'
Many people reacted to the tribute on Facebook, with one person writing, "Amazing genuine beautiful gifted woman who has sincerely enriched so many lives." Another wrote, "Thankyou Dolly we adore you." Someone else wrote on Twitter, "Dolly Parton really had to bring us all to tears with that tribute."
A second person tweeted, "Only Dolly! She's definitely an extraordinary person! God love her ! miss Loretta & Naomi. All class women of country! in country Heaven." Another said, "Dolly Parton and Naomi Judd were born only 8 days apart, in January of 1946. It is wonderful to see Dolly pay tribute to her at #ACMawards."
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