Jennifer Nettles & Pentatonix Honor Dolly Parton With “Jolene” At 2016 CMA Awards

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Dolly Parton was awarded with the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award at the 50th Annual CMA Awards held on Nov. 2, 2016.

Parton became the 4th person and the first female artist to be awarded with the honor, which began in 2012. Previous recipients have been Kenny Rogers, Johnny Cash, and of course, Willie Nelson.

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Before she could be given the award, she was honored with an incredible tribute by Jennifer Nettles and Grammy-winning a cappella group Pentatonix. Together, they sang one of the most incredible versions of Parton’s iconic hit “Jolene” that we’ve ever heard.

As some of you may know, Pentatonix teamed up with Parton for a groundbreaking performance of “Jolene” that went completely viral! Their video has over 14 million views on YouTube! That makes it no surprise as to why they were chosen to sing this song at country’s biggest awards show.

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A Close Connection

As for Jennifer Nettles, she holds a special connection to Parton. She played Parton’s mother in the two TV movies Coat of Many Colors and Christmas of Many Colors.

She also penned and released a song called “That Girl,” which is often described as the response to “Jolene.” It is about a woman who begins a relationship with a man, not knowing he is married.

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The lyrics pretty much confirm it is from Jolene’s perspective in the second verse.

“Imagine how surprised I was
When he got up to leave
It wasn’t my name on his lips
No, he didn’t call for me
He didn’t say, Jolene”

Did y’all enjoy their version of “Jolene”? We sure did, and it looked like Dolly did, too! Watch it below.