When Dolly Parton passed away at the age of 80 on Aug. 25, 2026, the Christian music community responded with an outpouring of love and respect for the cultural icon best known for signature hits like “I Will Always Love You,” “Coat Of Many Colors” and “9 to 5.” Consistently outspoken about her relationship with God, Parton took the stage at the GMA Dove Awards in 1990 to perform a powerful rendition of Don Francisco’s “He’s Alive.” Across a career punctuated by countless songs and performances; memorable acting roles; a theme park that bears her name; inductions into the Grand Ole Opry, Country Music Hall of Fame, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Gospel Music Hall of Fame; significant philanthropic efforts, including her Imagination Library; and a Broadway show spotlighting her rags-to-riches rise, the 10-time GRAMMY® winner was a luminary in country music, but her light crossed barriers few artists ever could. While her extensive music catalog features numerous entries about her faith, in recent years, the Tennessee native collaborated with several notable names in the Christian genre on songs that garnered widespread attention. Here are four Christian artists who had the incredible privilege of recording songs with Dolly during her lifetime.
for KING + COUNTRY, “God Only Knows”
for KING + COUNTRY added Dolly Parton to their original single, “God Only Knows,” in 2019. The country trailblazer also appeared in the official music video for the two-time Platinum smash that spoke to finding hope in the midst of depression. Together with Dolly, brothers Joel and Luke Smallbone performed the chart-topping hit at the 53rd annual CMA Awards. The collaboration went on to win a GRAMMY® for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song and a K-LOVE Fan Award for Song of the Year. “Rest in peace, dear Dolly. Your love for us was so unexpected, and your kindness and love for the world was extraordinary,” the duo remarked upon Parton’s death. “We will all miss you greatly.”
Zach Williams, “There Was Jesus,” “Lookin’ For You”
for KING + COUNTRY wasn’t the only Christian act to perform on the CMA Awards with Dolly. That same year (2019), Zach Williams also appeared on the CMA telecast alongside the country queen. Together, Williams and Parton sang “There Was Jesus,” the K-LOVE Fan Award-winning selection from Williams’ sophomore effort, “Rescue Story.” Dolly also graciously appeared in the song’s accompanying visual alongside Williams; and the duet earned them both a GRAMMY® in 2021. In 2024, Williams invited the legendary vocalist to join him once again on deep cut “Lookin’ For You,” featured on the extended edition of his third LP, “A Hundred Highways.” Following her passing, Williams took to social media to express his admiration for the revered entertainer. “Dolly, your songs, your faith, and the way you loved people impacted me more than you probably ever will know. You showed all of us that success didn’t have to change your heart, and that we could use what God gave us to make life a little better for somebody else,” he shared. “Thank you for the road you paved, the music you gave us and the example you set for artists like me.”
Blessing Offor, “Somebody’s Child”
Blessing Offor calls the opportunity to collaborate with Dolly on his song, “Somebody’s Child,” one of his “most cherished memories in the music business.” A choir-assisted offering that taps into compassion and common ground, “Somebody’s Child” was written by Offor, Josh Ronen and Joy Williams; and finds its home on the Nigerian-born singer’s sophomore set, “Real.” “I know it’s too easy to say it was a blessing singing with Blessing, but it was,” Dolly commented after recording the track and complimentary music video with Offor. “I love the song, ‘Somebody’s Child,’ and I am very proud to be a part of it.” Reflecting on her passing, Offor remarked, “There are no words…just countless stories of Dolly’s kindness, her generosity, her goodness [and] her light that made the world better and brighter.”
Natalie Grant, “Step By Step”
Natalie Grant says it was a “dream” working with Dolly on a cover of the Annie Lennox-penned “Step By Step.” After Whitney Houston recorded it for her starring role in 1996’s “The Preacher’s Wife,” Grant fell in love with the R&B-pop classic. So much so that she decided to put her stamp on it for 2023’s “Seasons,” a collection of songs originally recorded by other artists that have served as personal inspiration for Grant throughout her life and career. The five-time GMA Female Vocalist of the Year invited Dolly to add her voice to the track after she made a surprise appearance during Grant’s set at Dollywood to sing “Just A Little Talk With Jesus” alongside the Dove Award-winning songstress. Their version of “Step By Step” made notable headway at AC radio following its release. “As an artist, songwriter, creative and businesswoman, she was a trailblazer in every sense of the word. She dreamed big, took risks, broke barriers and inspired generations of women to believe there was room to dream bigger,” Grant observed of the country music pioneer following the announcement of her death. “But for all she accomplished, I believe her greatest legacy is that her life was marked by true kindness, generosity and faith.”
