Darius Rucker Unearths Unexpected Dolly Parton Classic At CMA Tribute
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On Wednesday (October 21), ABC aired CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration Of Dolly Parton.
Performers included Carrie Underwood, Reba McEntire, Lady A, Little Big Town, Brad Paisley, Ella Langley, Darius Rucker, and so many more.
While Dolly Parton and Darius have never technically performed together, they were both part of “Forever Country” in 2016. Darius’ part was a short duet with Martina McBride to “Take Me Home, Country Roads.”
Dolly closed out the song with her angelic vocals to “I Will Always Love You.”
Speaking of his experience, Darius said in an interview, “That was amazing. To have been asked to do that with all those big names in country music was amazing to me. I remember when the video came out, I was just so moved to have been a part of it.”
He continued, “Seeing me up there on the screen with Little Big Town, Charley Pride, Willie [Nelson], and Dolly Parton, and to know that I was going to be a part of something like that was absolutely amazing.”
Darius Rucker Performed An Unexpected Dolly Parton Song
While the tribute featured plenty of sentimental performances, including “I Will Always Love You” and “He’s Alive,” Parton’s catalog is also filled with upbeat, joyful songs that showcase her playful personality and infectious energy.
Darius chose an unexpected, upbeat song to perform: “Two Doors Down,” which the late legend released in 1977 on her album Here You Come Again and re-recorded as a pop-disco single in 1978.
Little Big Town’s Karen Fairchild and Kimberly Schlapman came out to introduce Darius’ performance. They shared the hilarious story behind the song, which isn’t what you might expect.
The song was actually inspired by a time when Parton was on a diet, and all she wanted was the fried clams her bandmates were eating just two doors down from her motel room.
When he began “Two Doors Down,” the entire audience couldn’t help but clap along to the beat.
Darius’ performance was one of the liveliest of the night. As he sang the song, he danced around the stage alongside a full band, backup singers, electric guitarists, and a brass section.
