The 2023 ACM Awards show was packed full of surprise winners and incredible performances. But, a highlight of the night came from co-host Dolly Parton who went off script to remember two women she said are like sisters.

In between performances, hosts Garth Brooks and Dolly Parton took a moment to remember country singers who passed away in the last year. Dolly specifically mentioned Loretta Lynn and Naomi Judd. Naomi Judd died by suicide in April 2022 at 76, while Loretta Lynn died at age 90 in October.

“As you know, Loretta was a coal miner’s daughter. A hero. And one of the most important, but one of the most down to earth singer-songwriters in history,” Dolly shared. “And of course Naomi and I – we’re the same age….we loved big hair, I still do. And we loved that makeup. But, above all else, we loved each other.”

Garth added, “Tonight we lovingly remember all those we lost in our country music family. And we promise to do our best to keep the circle forever unbroken in their memory.”

“And we give thanks for their precious memories,” Dolly said before singing the old spiritual “Precious Memories.” The crowd went silent as Dolly sang the familiar lyrics a cappella.

Dolly released an album of the same in 1999 that included some of her favorite hymns, and she has sung “Precious Memories” many times before. But, her impromptu rendition at the ACM Awards was incredibly powerful and will no doubt be remembered as one of the most special moments in awards show history.

Hear Dolly sing “Precious Memories” during her Christmas special in the video below.

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