The 2022 Academy of Country Music Awards took place on March 7 at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. It was a night filled with incredible performances from some of the biggest names in country music, including Luke Bryan, Kane Brown, Eric Church, and Chris Stapleton.
A Performance That Touched Hearts
One of the most emotional moments of the night came when Kelly Clarkson performed a heartfelt rendition of “I Will Always Love You” as a tribute to country legend Dolly Parton, who hosted the event.
After Clarkson’s moving performance, Parton took the stage to embrace her and share a special message. She made sure to honor Whitney Houston, who made the song world-famous with her version in 1992 for the movie The Bodyguard. “I know that Whitney is smiling down on us tonight,” Parton told Clarkson.
A Night to Remember
Parton also admitted she was holding back tears to keep her false eyelashes in place but joked that she was “slinging snot every direction” backstage. Fans were thrilled to see the country icon return as host, as it had been over twenty years since she last took on the role. She co-hosted the event with rising stars Gabby Barrett and Jimmie Allen.
The Story Behind the Song
Parton originally wrote “I Will Always Love You” as a farewell to her business partner and mentor, Porter Wagoner, as she set out on her solo career. The song became a massive hit, topping Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart twice.
Kelly Clarkson’s performance was a beautiful tribute, and it is a must-watch moment from the awards show.
