Entertainment

‘Goosebumps!’ Dolly Parton surprises fans with rare backstage performance

Aug 02, 2019

Dolly Parton made a surprise appearance at Newport Folk Festival at the weekend where she performed backstage with fellow artists. Source: Twitter/ Linda Perry and Getty

Dolly Parton surprised not only her fans but fellow artists at the weekend at a music event in America, by taking part in an impromptu backstage performance at the coveted event.

The country music legend, 73, wowed crowds when she made an unannounced appearance on stage at the Newport Folk Festival, however, it was her singing session backstage that has really captured the attention of those around the world.

Before stepping out in front of her fans, she gathered together group Highwomen – including singers Brandi Carlile, Amanda Shires, Natalie Hemby and Maren Morris – or a quick rehearsal of one of the songs they were planning to perform together, Parton’s 1991 hit ‘Eagle When She Flies’.

In a video shared online by singer-songwriter Linda Perry, the five can be seen crowded together in the small room with Parton starting off singing alone before the group joined in. The rest of the dressing room was silent as the talented performers sung in perfect harmony to the much-loved tune, with a guitar keeping them in time.

A very rare moment backstage with @DollyParton @brandicarlile @MarenMorris & @TheHighwomen 🙌🏾 #NewportFolkFestival pic.twitter.com/GDEnOIOKbQ

— LINDA PERRY (@RealLindaPerry) July 28, 2019

It was a rare occurrence for Parton, who sported a bright yellow cowboy suit with red detailing and her usual slightly waved hairdo at the event. The special moment was not only emotional for the singers involved but fans too, who were thrilled to see the singing session online following the event.

“Quietly crying in the corner is relatable because there is literally no other reaction that would be appropriate if you witnessed this,” one person commented on Twitter.

“This made me cry also. It’s so relatable to me. To the utter gloriousness of women working together and fighting for equality and for this country,” another wrote.

While a third added: “Wow! Goosebumps and all the feels.”

During her visit to the festival Parton also took to the stage to sing a flurry of her greatest songs including, ‘I Will Always Love You’, ‘Just because I’m a Woman’ and ‘Jolene’ with the Highwomen, before joining all the female artists for ‘9 to 5’.

Speaking about the incredible experience post-show, singer Brandi Carlile said she was overcome with emotion following her duet with Parton at the festival.

“It really hit me somewhere in the middle of the night last night, what had happened, before I stopped dwelling on the imperfections and things that no one in the audience knows or cares about that are happening onstage,” she told publication Billboard.

“I was just really overwhelmed and thinking it was a gift that was bestowed upon me this year. I got t receive that gift. I didn’t feel like it was so much something I did as something I got to have. We all got to have that.”