Parton’s niece, Jada Star, performed “The Orchard” at the iconic Nashville venue on Aug. 29
Credit: Jason Kempin/Getty; Jada Star/Instagram
NEED TO KNOW
- Dolly Parton’s niece, Jada Star, performed a musical tribute for her aunt at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville on Aug. 29
- Star sang “The Orchard,” which was featured on Parton’s 2024 collaborative family album, Smoky Mountain DNA: Family, Faith and Fables
- Parton died at age 80 following what her team confirmed to PEOPLE was a “brief battle with cancer”
Dolly Parton is being remembered by her loved ones through music days after her death.
On Saturday, Aug. 29, the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville dedicated a show to the country music icon, who died days earlier at age 80 following what her team confirmed to PEOPLE was a “brief battle with cancer.” (The “Jolene” singer was first introduced to the iconic music venue at age 13 by Johnny Cash, per the Opry.)
Parton’s niece, Jada Star, led the musical tributes with a rendition of “The Orchard,” which the pair had previously performed for Parton’s collaborative family album, 2024’s Smoky Mountain DNA: Family, Faith and Fables.
Credit: Jada Star/Instagram
“A tapestry of happiness and tears / Passed down year to year / We tell our children / Every story so they can continue building / A foundation that is solid and so strong / For them to carry on,” Star, whose real name is Jada Andersen, sang.
She continued, “Even though some older leaves have fallen / We all know new trees will grow / A family tree becomes an orchard callin’ / For us to sing their song / Their memory goes on.”
“Thank you. I love you, cousins,” Star said after the audience applauded the heartfelt performance. “We’re all going to be alright. I promise.”
Others who performed tributes included Carly Pearce, Kathy Mattea, Ketch Secor, Molly Tuttle and Channing Wilson.
The final song of the night featured the musicians performing a rendition of “9 to 5” with a surprise appearance by Jelly Roll.
Star announced on Facebook earlier that day that she would be performing the song.
“I have been asked to sing my song ‘The Orchard’ tonight as part of the Grand Ole Opry’s tribute to my incredible aunt, Dolly Parton,” she wrote. “I am walking around in a fog of sadness, like all of you have.💔 I do not take this honor lightly.”
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“I will stand on that stage tonight, the stage she loved so much, and share my song I wrote for her and for my whole family,” Star continued. “Know that we appreciate every single tribute, message, and kind word you have all shared the past few days.
“We appreciate all of you. Please tune in to see some beautiful tributes and performers. Link to stream in bio❤️ 🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋,” she concluded.
Credit: Terry Wyatt/WireImage
Star is the daughter of Parton’s sister Freida. The 9-to-5 actress had 11 siblings.
She followed in Parton’s footsteps in 2018, releasing her debut album, Long Way Home, alongside her friend, Barry J.
When the “Here You Come Again” singer’s death was announced on Tuesday, Aug. 25, Star said in a statement on Instagram that she would be taking a break from social media.
“I want you to know we are all reeling and grieving with you,” she wrote. “Thank you for grieving with us. I won’t be online for about a week, but please know I am already reading your messages. Thank you. Myself and my family will need time, but we are here with you. ❤️.”
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