Lukas Nelson and Lainey Wilson paid tribute to Dolly Parton by singing one of her best-loved duets, “You Can’t Make Old Friends,” which she originally recorded with Kenny Rogers. The song appeared on Rogers’ 2013 album and earned the pair a Grammy nomination, their third together after “Islands in the Stream” and “Real Love.”
The performance took place on October 21 at the CMA tribute to Dolly in Nashville. Lukas took the stage first, and Lainey came back out to join him. The two sang the song as a shared tribute to the friendship at its heart.
Lukas has long admired Dolly. His father, Willie Nelson, was her longtime friend and recording partner, so the song carried a family connection for him.
For Lainey, the moment was personal. She has said that weeks before Dolly passed, Dolly called her and said, “I know where I’m going.”
The song is about lasting friendship, and Lukas and Lainey’s version showed that Dolly and Kenny’s bond now has a new pair of voices to carry it.
Watch it, then share it with someone who loves Dolly.