She’s a California country gurl! Pop superstar Katy Perry went country during the 2016 ACM Awards on Sunday, April 3, and sang a medley of hits with the venerable queen of country, Dolly Parton.
The dynamic duo were introduced by Perry’s former tourmate, country singer Kacey Musgraves, and Perry offered up the Tex Ritter Award honor to Parton. The award celebrated Parton for her 2015 TV movie based on her life, Coat of Many Colors.
“I recently tweeted that I was but just one tiny sequin on Dolly Parton’s gown,” the “Roar” singer, 31, told the crowd. “I think I’ll say, though, maybe we’re kind of cut from the same lamé because her grandpa was a preacher, my father’s a preacher; we both grew up singin’ and playin’ guitar in church; and we’re both known for some of the biggest songs in our fields.”
An appreciative Parton, 70, humbly took to the stage and thanked her peers inside the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. “I don’t think I’m all that, but I appreciate your standing ovation,” Parton said. “This is such a great honor, and I would like to the thank the Academy of Country Music for this award.”
She and Perry then delivered a mesmerizing and thoroughly entertaining medley of Parton’s top hits, including “Coat of Many Colors,” “Jolene” and “9 to 5.”
Watch the performance above.