Billy Ray Cyrus “will always love” his longtime friend Dolly Parton with his “whole heart”.
The Achy Breaky Heart singer took to Instagram to remember his fellow country music star, who died on Tuesday, his 65th birthday.
“I have so many moments and memories with Dolly, it’s hard to know where to start. Like every little boy, I grew up loving Dolly Parton. She was a part of our lives, on our TV’s, right in our living rooms,” he captioned a carousel of snaps charting their friendship.
“In 1992, I’ll never forget walking into her dressing room to apologize for all the tabloid stories which claimed I was having an affair with her. In true Dolly fashion, she just looked at me, winked and said, ‘Honey, this trash sells records!'”
Billy Ray noted that the Jolene hitmaker recently sent him a “beautiful message” telling him that “she loved me with her whole heart”.
“I will always love her in the same way ….. with my whole heart … and I always will,” he concluded his post.
Billy Ray asked Dolly to be the godmother to his daughter Miley Cyrus when she was born in 1992. The country legend also made three appearances alongside Miley and Billy Ray in their Disney Channel TV show, Hannah Montana, playing Miley’s godmother, Aunt Dolly.
Meanwhile, Shania Twain posted a clip of her performing Coat of Many Colors with Dolly on The Oprah Winfrey Show in 2003.
“Dolly was pure light sent from heaven. My mentor is gone. My songwriting teacher and hero of grace and humility,” she captioned the video. “There is a hole in my heart but the joy of just the thought of her smile will continue to fill me with inspiration for as long as I live. I will cherish this moment performing Coat Of Many Colors with Dolly forever. Goodbye Dolly. Rest in peace, beautiful angel.”
Elsewhere, Oprah praised Dolly’s generosity and added, “She brought the light, and we are all better because she was here,” and Elton John described her as “unique and irreplaceable, with the kindest heart”.
The Empire State Building in New York City also lit up pink at “Nine-Two-Five” – 9.25pm – in honour of Dolly and her hit song and film 9 to 5.
The Islands in the Stream hitmaker died after a brief battle with cancer at the age of 80. At her request, a small, private funeral service will be held for her immediate family.
